368 



TIMBER AND TUMBER TREES. 



[chap. 



The timber is usually imported in well-hewn logs of 

 II to 1 8 inches square by from 20 to 45 feet in length, 

 the planks in thickness varying from 3 to 5 inches by 10 

 to 15 inches in width, and from 20 to 45 feet in length. 

 Pitch Pine is employed in wood ship-building for beams, 

 shelf, and bottom planking, &c., &c., and also in civil 

 architecture wherever long, straight, and large scantlings 

 are needed. It will not, however, make good board for 

 joiners' general purposes, although we find it is used to 

 some extent for cabinet work. 



The wood is of a reddish-white colour, clean, hard, 

 rigid, highly resinous, regular and straight in the grain, 

 and, compared with most other Pines and Firs, is rather 

 more difficult to work ; it is durable and good in quality. 

 The principal defects in Pitch Pine are the heart and 

 cup-shake, the latter often extending a long way up 

 the tree. Hence, as far as possible, logs having these 

 defects should be used in large scantlings, to guard 

 against a waste of wood near the centre. 



Table CL. — Pitch Pine (American). 

 Transverse Experiments. 



Remarks. — All the specimens broke with a short fracture. 



