Xxx. | FIRS. 257 
The trade in foreign deals, battens, boards, &c., from 
the countries in the North of Europe, is very great, and 
there were imported into the United Kingdom, in 1874, 
2,800,000 loads; in 1873, 2,450,000 loads; in 1872, 
about 2,300,000 loads ; as compared with 2,140,000 loads 
in 1871; 1,900,000 loads in 1870, and 1,380,000 loads in 
1866. Large as these quantities are, they seem likely 
to go on increasing, and will probably continue to do so, 
until the supply is exhausted. Sweden has contributed 
the larger portion of these, Norway and Russia come 
next, and are nearly alike in quantity; Prussia follows, 
and Finland supplies least of all. 
To particularise and describe the various shades of 
difference to be found in the quality of these deals, 
battens, &c., would be next to impossible, drawn as 
they are from so many ports of shipment in each of the 
countries referred to; but, taking them in a general 
way, the order of quality would stand, first or best with 
Prussia, then with Russia, Sweden, and Finland, and 
lastly, with Norway. Each of these countries classify 
their goods by first and second, and sometimes third 
quality, the respective distinctions of classes being 
based upon the perfection or otherwise of the manu- 
facture, and freedom from shakes, sap, or defects. 
From whatever source these deals are obtained, they 
are usually branded with some fancy mark, letter or 
device, as varied in character as the names of the 
different merchants who produce them. These trade- 
marks are all liable to be changed, and the purchaser, 
unless he can make the selection for himself, must rely 
upon the reputation and integrity of the firm he treats 
with, for obtaining the particular article he may require. 
The following are samples of the trade-marks in 
present use upon deals and battens :— 
s 
