9<5 
TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [chap. 
lengths of the tree are slightly hewn upon two opposite 
sides, and then sawn down the middle; the logs have 
thus a nearly semicir¬ 
cular form (Fig. 22), the 
average contents of each 
being only about 16 feet 
cube. This timber de¬ 
rives its chief value from 
the figured appearance 
it presents when cut, or 
converted in the direc¬ 
tion of its medullary rays 
into boards or veneers for cabinet purposes. 
Riga wainscot timber passes through the process of 
bracking prior to its being shipped, and dealers have 
the option of making their selection from either the 
Riga, English, or Dutch crown qualities—or the brack 
quality—at prices varying with the market rates. These 
stood recently at about 100, 90, 80, and 60 shillings 
respectively for the log of 18 feet cube, a peculiarity in 
the mode of selling, which is exclusively confined to this 
description of timber. 
