58 
TIMBEE 
as it is said to resist the damp, although, as in apparent 
contradiction to this, beech will take in more creosote than 
most woods, as much as 22 lbs. per cubic foot having been 
injected into beech paving blocks, for which this timber 
has been a good deal used, and has generally given satis- 
faction. Beech props in German mines gave superior 
results to either oak, pine, or fir. It is much used for 
sleepers on the continental railways, and makes good 
charcoal. 
Irish beech, though not so economical in conversion as 
English beech, stands unrivalled where hardness is a 
requisite, and is much appreciated by piano manufacturers 
and for the making of bobbins. 
The beech forests of Roumania are virgin soil ; they cover 
about 3,000,000 acres, but are situate in wild, inaccessible 
mountain ranges. At present the larger portion of our 
supplies comes from Canada. 
European beech, sycamore, and birch are trees without 
distinct heartwood. 
Weight about 44 lbs. per cubic foot. 
Poplar, a genus of handsome trees with tall straight 
stems, is found chiefly in the temperate and cold regions 
of the Northern hemisphere. There are many varieties ; 
the wood is soft, light, easily worked, yellowish or brownish 
white in colour, and of uniform texture ; is not easily 
spHntered, and when dry and well seasoned is fairly durable. 
Annual rings are very distinct but very fine. 
White Poplar (popnlus alba), found in Britain and the 
southern parts of Europe, attains a height of 80 ft. The 
wood, of a yellowish brown colour, is used by cabinet- 
makers, turners, and toy-makers, but is liable to sweh and 
shrinli. In restoring the foundation of the Campanile at 
