XX.] INDIAN TEAK. 197 



become the chief timber station for the export of this 

 important article of commerce.* 



I do not, with this new source of supply open to us, 

 apprehend that any serious difficulty is likely to arise 

 for some time to come ; but, happen when it may, there 

 are yet the forests of Siam, which are said to be very 

 extensive, and also those of Java, almost untouched; 

 and from these, I imagine, the future supplies for the 

 European market could be drawn. f 



Teak timber is sorted into A, B, and C classes in the 

 London market, according to dimensions, not quality, 

 A class or pile being 15 inches and upwards on the 

 larger side, and 23 feet and upwards in length ; B, ditto 

 ditto, 12 and under 15 inches on the larger side, and 23 

 feet and upwards in length; C, ditto ditto, under 12 

 inches on the larger side, and 23 feet and upwards^ in 

 length; D are damaged logs. B and C classes are 

 usually sold at about 10 to 20 shillings per load under 

 the price for A pile timber. 



The value of Teak in the London market has fluc- 

 tuated very much. In 1859 and i860, the market being 

 overstocked, it stood as low as ;£io to ;^"ii per load of 

 50 cubic feet; but in 1861, when there was a sudden 

 and unexpected demand for timber generally, it rose to 

 j£i6 per load ; it soon, however, declined again, and in 

 1875, with a stock of about 8,000 loads of Moulmein and 

 Rangoon upon hand in the London market, was to 

 be had at about ;£i2 to ;£i4 per load. It is now about 

 ^15 tO;£i7perload. 



* Between 1865 and 1870, inclusive, Moulmein sent to Europe 147,421 loads, 

 and Rangoon 28,821 loads of Teak timber. The shipments are now much larger. 



t The prediction that Siam would yield abundance of Teak has since turned 

 out to be correct. Moreover, the Indian Forest Department plant several 

 thousand acres annually, so that little fear of short supplies need be entertained, 

 especially as natural reproduction goes on extensively in the protected areas. 



