572  On  the  Cost  of  Agricultural  Buildings. 
The  fir  timber  imported  from  Norway  seldom  exceeds  18 
inches  in  diameter,  but  it  is  durable,  notwithstanding  the  large 
portion  of  sap-wood  which  it  possesses.  That  from  Russia  is 
considered  to  lose  much  of  its  quality  from  the  length  of  time 
occupied  in  getting  it  from  the  interior  to  Cronstadt,  from  which 
port  it  is  shipped. 
White  fir  ( Pinus  abies),  commonly  called  Spruce,  is  inferior  to 
the  red  or  yellow  ; it  is  imported  from  Christiania,  mostly  as  deals 
or  planks.  Where  continually  dry  it  is  durable,  is  chieily  used 
in  the  interior  of  buildings,  and  takes  glue  better  than  the  red  or 
yellow.  The  Pinus  strobus,  which  is  grown  in  North  America, 
is  imported  as  logs,  which  are  of  great  length  and  size.  It  is 
very  susceptible  of  dryrot,  and  is  not  considered  to  be  durable; 
it  should  never  be  used  for  girders,  or  in  any  situation  where  it  is 
subject  to  much  strain. 
Pine  is  known  as  red  and  yellow.  The  yellow  possesses 
greater  strength  and  durability  than  the  white.  The  annual 
rings,  in  the  best  sorts,  seldom  exceed  one-tenth  of  an  inch  in 
thickness ; the  wood  is  hard  and  dry  to  the  touch,  does  not  leave 
a woolly  surface  after  the  saw,  or  clog  its  teeth  with  resin.  The 
annual  rings  in  the  inferior  kinds  are  generally  thick,  the  wood 
heavy,  and  filled  with  a soft  resinous  matter,  feels  clammy,  and 
chokes  the  saw  while  sawing  it.  M uch  of  the  timber  imported 
from  Sweden  is  of  this  inferior  quality. 
Pitch  pine  ( resinosa ) is  a native  of  Canada;  its  wood  is  brittle 
when  dry,  heavy,  and  full  of  turpentine,  and  is  not  durable.  It 
is  distinguished  from  Scotch  and  other  European  pines  by  a 
deeper  red  ; — from  its  glutinous  property  it  is  difficult  to  plane. 
Larch  is  of  rapid  growth,  and  if  grown  on  elevated  situations 
very  durable;  possessing  great  strength,  it  is  suitable  for  framing, 
and  almost  every  description  of  carpenter’s  and  joiner’s  work. 
It  will  not  easily  take  fire,  nor  split  by  the  driving  of  nails  into  it, 
neither  will  worms  attack  it ; from  its  hardness  it  is  well  adapted 
for  posts,  rails,  barn  and  cottage  floors.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that 
the  growth  of  this  valuable  timber-tree  is  not  more  encouraged  in 
this  country,  as  it  will  grow  in  almost  any  soil  or  situation. 
Elm  is  another  description  of  timber-tree,  far  superior  to  some 
of  the  foreign  timber  imported,  and  may  be  grown  at  a much  less 
cost.  Its  value  is  not  fully  appreciated,  although  evidence  of  its 
usefulness  and  durability  is  given  in  old  barns  and  other  buildings, 
both  for  framing  purposes  as  well  as  for  weather-boarding.  For 
piles  its  value  is  well  known ; that  which  was  used  in  the  foun- 
dations of  Old  London  Bridge,  upon  its  removal  was  found  to  be 
in  excellent  preservation. 
The  Poplar  is  another  tree  which  may  be  used  with  propriety 
and  economy  for  flooring : it  does  not  split  on  being  nailed  down, 
nor  does  it  readily  take  fire ; and  as  neither  mice,  wood-lice,  nor 
