380 PROPERTIES AND USES OF TIMBER. 



tirely from it (with the exception of the keel 

 pieces, of course), and two were very recently built 

 from it in the woods under my charge. They 

 are generally built in the woods where the timber 

 is found, a practice which ought to be followed in 

 every instance where it is at all possible, as, besides 

 the saving of carriage, the carpenter can select his 

 wood on the spot, measure its length while the tree 

 is standing, and is by this means never incumbered 

 with useless w^ood. At the same time, the forest 

 is almost always the better for them, as they use 

 great numbers of crooked and unsightly trees for 

 futtocks, floors, &c. that would otherwise bring no 

 more than the price of fire-wood, being entirely use- 

 less, except for the purposes to which the ship- 

 builders apply them. Thus the wood is cleared of 

 its rubbish, and at the same time a profit realized 

 to the proprietors. 



The two vessels which I have alluded to as being 

 built of larch in the woods under my charge were, 

 when completed, taken to pieces and driven to the 

 sea-port of Montrose, a distance of twelve miles. I 

 was told that they were built at one-third less ex- 

 pense than if they had been constructed of Mem el 

 or Norway fir, although the usual price was paid 

 for the larch used in their construction. 



