340 TIMBER TRADE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. - 
Siam, the contribution from which exhibited a considerable 
decline, sent only 1,268 loads, as compared with quantities 
varying during the previous five years from 5,132loads to 14,673 
loads annually. 
Staves, of which 126,216 loads were imported, were fur- 
nished chiefly by Russia (33,732 loads), the United States 
(30,927 loads), Norway (23,900 loads), and Germany (20,712 
loads). These staves, it may be noted, are shaped lengths 
of wood-for making the sides of casks, varying in length 
from 31 to 72 inches, and in breadth from 3 to 7 inches. 
With regard to the prices of timber as ascertained from the 
declared- value, the price per load of hewn fir was 29s. if. 
1899, or about 5d. tess than in 1898; whilst the 
average value of sawn fir was returned at 48s. ad., which 
was higher than in any year since 1889. The comparative: 
value of the timber imported from different countries varied: 
very considerably in the case of hewn fir, the lowest declared 
value being for French pine, which only averaged about 15s. 7d. 
pet load, but of which we received 769,865 loads, or more than 
was. supplied by any other country. Sweden and Norway 
came next in point of cheapness, but the average value of 
fir from: Seandinavia was nearly double that of France, being 
28s. to 29s., whilst Russian pine was returned at 33s. 4d. per 
load. The pine received from Germany, United States, and 
Canada, though less in quantity, was much higher in value, 
212,216 loads supplied by Germany averaging 45s. 8d. per 
load; 60,371 loads from the United States 63s. 1od. per ioad; 
and 53,861 loads from Canada 102s. 5d. per load. 
The variation in value noticeable in the imports of hewn 
fir was absent in the case of sawn or dressed fir, the prices 
ranging from 46s. 7d. in the case of Sweden to 55s. 10d. 
for the United States. The imports trom Norway, Germany 
and France had an equal average value of 52s. 7d. per load. 
With regard to hewn oak the value averaged 112s. 7d. per 
load, or about 6d. less than last vear. Of the countries from 
which this timber is principally imported, Canada had the 
highest average value of £6 3s. 5d. per load, but a consign- 
ment of 9,428loads from Austria was valued at £96,044, or 
410 3s. tod, per load. United States oak averaged £5 &s. 
and German only £4 13s. od. per load. Teak values appear 
