HOLLY, YEW, and a variety of woods for inlaying and cabinets. In some country places, a considerable quantity of ENGLISH OAK is worked up into tables, chairs, drawers, and bedsteads; but, in London, BEECH is almost the only English wood made use of, at present, by the cabinet and chair makers. THE carvers' favorite wood is LIME, for picture and glass frames; DEAL, for coarser articles. Coopers-OAK (and some CHESNUT) for large casks and vessels: Así, for dairy utensils, butter firkins, flour barrels, &c. OAK, for well buckets and water pails, and in some places, for milk pails, and other dairy vessels: BEECH, for soap firkins, &c. Locksmiths, in Birmingham and Wolverhampton, work up a considerable quantity of OAK, for Lockstocks: chiefly the butts of trees. Turners-principally BEECH for large ware, if BEECH is to be had; if not, SYCAMORE, or other clean-grained wood: Box, HOLLY, &c. for smaller utensils. Mathematical Instrument Makers ;-MAHOGA NY, BOX, HOLLY. Trunkmakers;-Deal. Packing Cases-DEAL, POPLAR, &c. Coffins-OAK, Elm, Deal. AND, finally, the lastmakers, who work up no inconsiderable quantity of wood, use BEECH for lasts; ALDER and BIRCH for heels, pattenwoods, &c. the We do not deliver the forgoing sketch as a perfectly correct account of the application of woods, in this country: the attempt is new, and that which is new is difficult. We have not omitted to consult with professional men upon subject; and we believe it to be sufficiently accurate for the purpose of the planter. If we have committed any material error, we ask to be set right. We do not wish to descend to minutiæ: it would be of little use to the planter, to be told what toys and tooth picks are made from: it is of much more importance to him to know, that, of ENGLISH WOODS, the OAK is most in demand, perhaps three to one,-perhaps in a much greater proportion; that the ASH, the ELM, the BEECH, and the Box, follow next; and that the CHESNUT, the WALNUT, and the PRUNUS and PINUS tribes, are principally valuable, as substitutes for OAK and FOREIGN TIMBER. SECTION THE SECOND. SITUATION AND SOIL. IN the choice of timber trees, however, SITUATIONS and SOILS must ever be consulted. The Oak, in shallow barren soils, and in bleak exposed situations, cannot be raised with profit, as a timber tree; while the Larch, by out-growing its strength, sickens in deep rich soils. It is a fortunate circumstance for this country, that the two trees which are most likely to furnish its navy with an internal supply of timber, should delight in soils and situations of opposite natures;. and every judicious planter will endeavour to assign to each its natural station. The proper soils and situations, for other Timber Trees, will be found under their respective Names, in the ALPHABET OF PLANTS. 55 DIVISION THE THIRD. HEDGES AND HEDGEROW TIMBER. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. THE raising of LIVE HEDGES and HEDGEROW TIMBER constitutes no inconsiderable part of the business of planting. The value of good Hedges is known to every husbandman; and notwithstanding the complaints against Hedgerow Timber, as being liable to be knotty, &c. the quality of the timber itself is not questioned: its faultiness arises, wholly, from an improper treatment of the tree, and not from the situation of its growth. Indeed, we are clear in our opinion, that under proper management, no situation whatever is better adapted to the valuable purpose of raising SHIP TIMBER, than-Hedges: The roots have free range in the adjoining inclosures, and the top is exposed to the exercise of the winds, with a sufficient space to throw out lusty arms, and form, at a proper height, a spreading head. Thus, quickness of growth, with strength and CROOKEDNESS of Timber, are at once obtained. WE are well aware of the injury resulting from woody Hedgerows to arable inclosures; but every man experienced in rural matters must be convinced, that it is not well trained Timber trees, but high Hedges, and low Pollards, which are the bane of corn fields. These, forming a high and impervious barrier, preclude the air and exercise, so essential to the vegetable, as well as the animal creation: in Norfolk, lands thus encumbered are, with great strength and propriety of expression, said to be wood-bound. Besides, Pollards and lowspreading trees are certain destruction to the Hedge wood which grows ́under them. NEITHER of these evils, however, result from tall Timber Oaks, and a Hedge kept down to four or five feet high: a circulation of air is, in this case, rather promoted than retarded; and it is well known, that a pruned Hedge will thrive perfectly well under tall-stemmed trees, Oaks more especially. We will therefore venture to recommend, for arable inclosures, Hedges pruned down to four or five feet high, with Oak timbers of fifteen to twenty-five feet stem. |