Page:Timber and Timber Trees, Native and Foreign.djvu/232

212 {| Vertical or Crushing Strain on cubes of 2 inches. 1 square inch.
 * No. 7.
 * No. 8.
 * No. 9.
 * No. 10.
 * Total.
 * Average.
 * rowspan=2|Ditto on
 * rowspan=2|Ditto on
 * Tons.
 * Tons.
 * Tons.
 * Tons.
 * Tons.
 * Tons.
 * 7.25
 * 7.75
 * 127.5
 * 11.50
 * 39.25
 * 9.812
 * 2.453
 * }
 * 2.453
 * }

THE AMERICAN ASH TREE, OR THE WHITE ASH (Fraxinus Americana),

is found chiefly on the banks of the rivers of North America. It is of straight growth, and frequently attains a height of 70 feet, with a circumference of from 3 to 5 feet. It is imported into this country, only sparingly, in logs varying from 10 to 18 inches square, and 18 to 35 feet in length ; but comes to us in considerable quantities in a partially manufactured state in the form of machine-made boat-oars, handspikes, &c.

The wood is light brown or whitish in colour, of very moderate hardness and weight, is tough, elastic, clean and straight in the grain, and quite easy to work; it stands well after seasoning, and hence we get from this tree the best material for oars for boats that can be produced. They are much and eagerly sought after by foreign Governments as well as our own, and also by the great private steamship companies and the mercantile marine of this country, consequently there is often a very keen competition for the possession of them.

The best quality wood has a clean, bright, uniform whitish colour, the second is slightly stained with red and yellow shades alternating, while the third, and most objectionable, quality is that in which the red and yellow colours predominate over the healthy shade. Any