76 TIMBER 
which are cut down close to the root to obtain the finest 
wood. These logs are sold in the English market by 
weight, and a good proportion are cut into veneers for 
use in the pianoforte trade. There is also a large 
re-export trade transacted with buyers in America, 
the wood being, at the moment, in favour in that 
country. The burr walnut, that was so much in 
fashion about forty years ago, was also obtained from 
Circassian sources. French merchants were largely inter- 
ested in this trade, and, in addition to parcels of burrs 
that came direct to these markets, others were shipped 
to Marseilles, from whence they were sent to Paris, 
sawn into veneers, and mostly sold to English buyers. 
Very high prices have been realised at times, and little 
wood otherwise was used by the pianoforte trade for 
veneering cases, a good proportion also being consumed 
by the cabinet trades. The wocd in this burr form is 
quite out of date at the present day and is rarely seen. 
Elm.—Several varieties of this tree are common to 
most European countries; two only will be mentioned, 
however, these, of native but indigenous growth, 
being known as Common Elm and Wych Elm. The 
first-named is too well known to need a lengthy des- 
cription. Grown in hedgerows or in avenues, it is 
common in the Southern Counties of England, but is, 
perhaps, seen in more perfection in districts in Northamp- 
tonshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, where its 
picturesque growth attains to a height of 70 or more 
feet, with a girth of 7 or 8 ft. In its growth, the trunk 
has a habit of forming pockets where a branch has been 
lopped or broken off, this cavity afterwards becoming 
surrounded by fresh growth of the wood. Curious 
discoveries are sometimes made when the trees are 
felled and opened, stores of acorns deposited by squirrels, 
stones, or other things, and perfect bird’s-nests with 
