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round the log, making very wide, thin boards ; it is largely 
cut as veneer and used as " three ply " for boxes and chair 
seats, it is also used for sounding boards in pianos and 
organs. If well seasoned and painted it stands fairly well 
for outside work. 
Cypress, of which there are several varieties, the bald 
cypress, white, black, and red cypress, yields timber similar 
in character, appearance, and uses to white cedar. The 
cypress is a large deciduous tree, inhabiting swampy lands, 
and along rivers and coasts of the southern parts of the 
United States grows to a height of 150 ft. and 12 ft. in 
diameter, and produces a wood of beautiful figure and 
colouring, yellowish or yellowish brown. It is very durable 
in most situations, as it is very little subject to fungi, light, 
soft, close grained, and easily worked. It is used for doors, 
roof shingles, cabinet work, boat-building, etc., and takes 
a fine polish. 
The Red or Louisiana Cypress {Taxodium distichum), the 
timber of which at the present time is being placed upon the 
English market, is generally known as the bald or swamp 
cypress and is allied to the Sequoia species (redwood). It 
is much used for tanks, vats, and tubs ; in New Orleans 
90,000 fresh water cisterns are said to be made of this 
wood, and for this purpose it gives great satisfaction, and 
has a long life. It can be got in fair lengths and widths ; 
the annual rings are very close. The timber is of fine 
uniform texture, soft, light, straight in grain and easily 
worked, but requires careful seasoning ; it is very durable 
in exposed situations, used a good deal in America for 
conservatories and greenhouses, and by the Navy Depart- 
ment for boats. 
A good deal of cypress has been used for railway con- 
struction in the southern States. The red and black 
