xxvii.] DANTZIC FIR. 327 



We occasionally obtain from Dantzic some Fir timber, 

 which is known in the London market under the names 

 of Eliasberg and Saldowitz, from the districts in Russia 

 whence it is drawn. 



It is a very clean, sound, straight, and well-squared 

 wood, of great average length, and more closely re- 

 sembles the Riga Fir than any other in colour, texture, 

 general appearance, and even in its defects, the heart 

 and star-shakes being common to it. This wood cannot, 

 therefore, be safely reduced to thin planks near the 

 centre of the log without incurring the risk of some faulty 

 pieces being produced at that part. 



The classification for the market is similar to that of 

 the Dantzic Fir, but there is very little of the common 

 middling quality in it. When made up for sale it is 

 generally arranged in parcels according to the size of 

 the logs, those of 13 to 16 inches being kept distinct 

 from those over 16 to 20 inches square, the latter being 

 about the maximum size obtainable from the tree, while 

 the lengths vary from 20 to y6 feet, and include many 

 pieces of mast dimensions. 



The employment of this description of Fir for mast 

 purposes does not, however, appear to be contemplated 

 by the shippers, and it is not, in my opinion, suitable for 

 it, owing to its free character and liability to split in 

 seasoning. The clean, straight, and even grain is, never- 

 theless, quite sufficient to recommend it to notice for 

 furniture purposes, and its superior dimensions will 

 always entitle it to preference over Dantzic or Riga Fir 

 for works requiring long timber. 



The prices of " Eliasberg " and " Saldowitz " Fir 

 timber in general rule somewhat higher than that of 

 the best Dantzic Fir. 



There is also an inferior species of Fir brought in 



