Page:Timber and Timber Trees, Native and Foreign.djvu/195

XXV.] according to the situation in which it is grown; that which is produced on a firm soil and in exposed places, and notably that grown in the northern district, being by far the best, while the timber produced on the low moist grounds is generally soft, spongy, and inferior. For the most part, however, it is of a very plain character, with uniformity of colour, although occasionally logs are found with a waviness or curl in the grain, approaching to gure; and these, when worked up and polished, present an appearance of great beauty; such logs generally realise as in the case of Cuba Mahogany, a much higher price than logs of the ordinary description, which fetch at present market prices (1875) about 4½d. to 6d. per oot superficial of 1 inch. About two-thirds only of the actual cubic contents, calliper measure, are, however nought to sale account. The remainder or difference being allowed for the waste of saw kerfs, shakes, defects, centres, &c., in the conversion of the log into board, &c.

The economical uses of this wood are very numerous, and it is much sought after by shipwrights, carpenters, cabinet-makers, turners, and others, who employ it for a great variety of purposes. It has been largely used in ship-building for beams, planking, and in many other ways as a substitute for Oak, and found to answer exceedingly well. It is also used extensively for cabin-fitments; and in its application to the arts there is scarcely any limit to its usefulness.

The Honduras and other descriptions of Mahogany have only about # to 1 inch of alburnum or sap-wood on them, and being remarkably free from defect, the loss in conversion is comparatively small.