2. Required the contents of ten trees, and the value of the timber in each tree, from the following dimensions and values.

Note. Having described the methods of measuring and valuing standing timber; and, in the last Example, mentioned a variety of trees, it is presumed that this section cannot be better concluded than by a short description of the natures, properties, and uses of these trees.

Besides, it is absolutely necessary, in order to become a valuer of timber, to be made acquainted with a few of the leading properties of trees, and their comparative

A DESCRIPTION

OF THE NATURE AND PROPERTIES OF SOME OF

THE MOST USEFUL TIMBER TREES.

THE OAK.

THE OAK stands at the head of all British timber trees, as well for its utility, as for its majestic appearance. It is slow of growth; but if permitted to stand, it arrives at a size equal, if not superior, to that of any other tree of the forest; and by the vast arms which it throws out on every side, it forms a mass which fills the eye of the spectator, and impresses him with gigantic ideas of its masculine strength. The oak delights most in a rich, strong soil, in which it strikes its root to a great depth. It loves hilly, better than boggy ground, and thrives best in large plantations.

The uses to which oak is applied, are numerous. It is a firm wood, and will endure all weathers, climates, and seasons; hence it is used for posts, rails, window-frames, casks, water-pails, carts, waggons, wheel-spokes, &c. In machinery, no other wood is equal to it, where a great stress is to be borne, as in mill-work, &c.; and in water-works it is inferior to none. It is also used for household furniture, such as tables, bedsteads, chests of drawers, &c. ; but it has acquired its chief fame, in this country, by its use in ship-building, being much superior to foreign oak; and has, no doubt, contributed very materially to the naval glory of OLD ENGLAND.

Some oak trees have arrived at an enormous size. In Dr. Hunter's edition of Evelyn's Sylva, is given a figure of the old oak of Cowthorpe, in Yorkshire, which measures 48 feet in circumference, at a yard from the ground. About a mile and a half from Shrewsbury, there is an oak whose girt is 44 feet at the bottom, 27 at the distance of 8 feet from the ground; and it is 41 feet in height. In Hainault Forest, near Barking, in Essex, there is an oak which measures 36 feet in circumference. The tree has been known through many centuries by the name of FAIRLOP. Mr. Gilpin, in his "Remarks on Forest Scenery and other Woodland Views," says that the tradition of the country traces this tree half-way up the Christian æra.

Some of our best poets have noticed the usefulness and remarkable longevity of the oak.

"Let India boast her plants, nor envy we

The weeping amber and the balmy tree,

While by our oaks the precious loads are borne,

And realms commanded which those trees adorn." - POPE.

"The monarch oak, the patriarch of the trees,
Shoots rising up, and spreads by slow degrees:
Three centuries he grows, and three he stays
Supreme in state, and in three more decays.".

DRYDEN

THE ASH.

This tree generally grows tall and elegant, and makes a graceful appearance, when contrasted with trees of greater bulk. It flourishes most in woods, but will also thrive well in good soils, upon open grounds.

There are few trees which excel the ash in utility; for its wood, next to that of oak, is employed for the greatest variety of purposes. It may be peculiarly termed the husbandman's tree; for it is one of the principal materials in making ploughs, harrows, carts, waggons, spokes and felloes for wheels, and various other implements for rustic use. It is also employed by the turner for dairy utensils; and at sea it is used for oars and hand-spikes.

The toughness of its wood rendered it a favourite with the heroes of old, for the shafts of their potent spears; hence it is poetically termed "the martial ash." Homer arms his heroes with spears of ash.

"From Pelion's cloudy top an ash entire,

Old Chiron fell'd, and sharp'd it for his sire." - POPE'S HOMER.

THE BEECH.

This is one of the most stately of timber trees; large woods are wholly composed of it in some parts of this country. It particularly delights in a chalky soil, where it will flourish and arrive at a great size, although the land may have all the appearance of barrenness.

The wood of the beech is brittle, and apt to decay; but being of a fine grain, and easily wrought, it is used for a variety of domestic purposes. It is employed by the turner and cabinet-maker; the former using it for his larger ware, and the latter for common chairs and other articles of furniture. It can be split so thin, that it is used for band-boxes, hat-cases, book-covers, and scabbards of swords.

THE ELM.

The common elm is a large timber tree, of great beauty and utility. It grows to a great height, and at the same time, if permitted, expands some massy arms. It loves an open situation, and a black clayey soil.

The wood of the elm is hard and tough; and is used for a great variety of purposes. Is is particularly serviceable in situations where it is kept constantly wet; and is therefore used for ship-planks, waterpipes, pumps, mill-wheels, &c. It is also employed for axle-trees, wheel-naves, gate-posts, chopping-blocks, &c.

THE SYCAMORE.

This tree is of quick growth, arrives at a large size, and flourishes best in open places and sandy ground.

Its wood is soft and very white; hence it is proper for the use of the turner, who makes it into bowls, trenchers, and other domestic utensils. In consequence of its lightness, it is also occasionally wrought

THE BLACK POPLAR.

The name of black seems given to this tree, in order to distinguish it from the white poplar; for its leaves are a beautiful green, and the tree has nothing dark in its appearance. It loves a rich and moist soil; it arrives at a great size; and is one of the tallest and most stately to be seen when full grown

The wood of the poplar is tougher and harder than fir; and is frequently used instead of it, for laths, packing-boxes, roofing, flooring, &c.

The white poplar does not arrive at so large a size as the black. It grows best in moist situations; and is very conspicuous from the whiteness of its foliage.

THE ALDER.

The alder flourishes best in boggy situations, and by the sides of rivers, &c. It sometimes arrives at a large size; it is, however, chiefly used in this country for poles. Virgil, in his Georgics, tells us that, by hollowing its trunk, it was anciently made into boats or canoes.

The wood of the alder will remain long sound under water. It is employed for pumps, water-pipes, piles, &c. It is likewise used for shoe-heels, clogs, and turners' work.

THE WEYMOUTH PINE.

This tree is a native of North America, where it is called the "white pine." It frequently arrives at the height of 100 feet; and is therefore preferred to the rest of the pine tribe for the masts of large ships. Our men of war are generally furnished with masts of this species of tree, from the timber-yards of Nova Scotia.

Lord Weymouth introduced it into this country; on which account it is generally known by his name; and has, for some time, been a great favourite with planters.

THE FIR.

Linnæus considers all the fir tribe to be only different species of the pine. Some of them grow best on mountainous situations; others prefer bogs and swamps; and they alone often compose extensive woods, clothing barren and desolate regions, unfit for human culture. Many species of this tribe, are now become common in our plantations. Of these I shall only mention a few of the principal.

The Scotch Fir grows naturally in some parts of the Highlands of Scotland; and also upon the mountainous parts of Norway, Sweden, and Russia. The fir grown in the native forests of Scotland is good, but affords a very scanty supply; consequently, the greatest part of what is consumed by us, is brought from Norway, and the countries bordering upon the Baltic.

No wood is at present used amongst us in such quantities as the fir, which, under the name of deal, is employed about buildings, for boards, planks, beams, rafters, joists, &c.

Fir is also used for the masts and yards of ships; and from it we obtain the important productions of turpentine, tar, and pitch.

it

may, therefore, be called the sailors' tree, with as much propriety as the oak.

The Spruce Fir is a native of Norway; and is said to afford the white deal. From the green tops of this tree is made the antiscorbutic beverage called " Spruce-beer."

The Silver Fir grows in Norway and Germany, and from its trunk the yellow deal is said to be procured. It also yields great abundance of tar.

The Larch Fir is a native of the Alps and Apennines; and for beauty and durability of wood, it greatly surpasses the Scotch fir. It is now become a great favourite in this country, and thrives well on barren and sandy soils. In some countries ships are built of this wood, which are represented as proving very durable. The larch is remarkably resinous, and from it is obtained Venice turpentine.

THE BIRCH.

There are four species of birch. The common birch-tree may be cultivated upon barren land, where better trees will not grow; for there is no ground so bad as not to allow this to thrive in it. It will grow in moist springy land, or in dry gravel, or sand, where there is little surface; hence persons who are in possession of poor land, cannot employ it better than by planting it with these trees. They have sometimes been planted upon ground that produced nothing but moss; and in nine or ten years after planting, have been sold for 101. per acre; the after-produce greatly increased.

The wood of this tree is used by broom-makers, hoop-benders, and turners.

THE YEW.

The yew is a native of this country, and is found in rocky and mountainous situations. It is frequently planted in church-yards, probably on account of its being an ever-green. The leaves are of a poisonous nature; both horses, cows, and children have died in consequence of eating them.

This tree is remarkable for its toughness and elasticity; and is celebrated for the purposes to which its wood was anciently applied in making that most formidable weapon of our ancestors, bow.

"Th' elastic yew, whose distant wound

the long

With England's rivals heap'd the ground."-WILLIAM'S MISCELLANIES. The wood of the yew is at present valued by cabinet-makers and inlayers on account of its beautiful red veins; and it is also a good material for flood-gates, axles, cogs for mill-wheels, and other works where strength and durability are required.

The yew seldom grows to a great height; but sometimes arrives at an amazing thickness of trunk.

In Darnley church-yard, near Matlock, in Derbyshire, is a yew. tree whose circumference is 33 feet.

THE HOLLY.

The holly is an ever-green, and a native of the woods in this country, where it sometimes arrives to the height of 20 or 30 feet. It is,