i88 TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [CHAP. 



length of the log should be 24, and the average 28 feet, 

 but as of late it has been found difficult to obtain this 

 average from the Moulmein district (whence nearly all 

 our supplies have been drawn for many years past), the 

 minimum and average length has been reduced respec- 

 tively to 23 and 27 feet. 



The Burmese assign two reasons for not aiming to 

 produce a better average length of log ; one is that 

 the greater the length the greater is the difficulty of 

 moving and getting them out of the forests to the 

 streams, and the increased danger when there of en- 

 tanglement in the short bends of the water-courses. 

 Another is that the long logs were, until quite lately, 

 liable to some trifling duty ; while upon the short pieces 

 coming from the forests, no charge whatever was levied 

 on their arrival at Moulmein. 



It is the practice in Burmah to girdle the Teak trees 

 three years before they intend to fell them ; a complete 

 ring of the bark and sap-wood being cut through and 

 removed in order to kill the tree. This object is very 

 soon obtained, as in a few days, or at most a few weeks, 

 the tree is dead ; the natural juices contained in it are, 

 therefore, gradually cut off from ascending through the 

 sap-wood while the tree stands. This and the great heat 

 of the climate combined, seasons the wood, and renders 

 the log — which in its green state would have a specific 

 gravity of at least rooo, and be difficult to move if 

 felled — so much lighter that it floats easily over the 

 shallows of the streams or rivers to the port of ship- 

 ment. And as usually about a year elapses between the 

 felling and the delivery of the timber in England, it is 

 commonly received in a fit state for immediate use. 



The practice of girdling is, I think, objectionable, 

 inasmuch as the timber dries too rapidly, is liable to 



