Page:Timber and Timber Trees, Native and Foreign.djvu/298

278 have been broken in their fall, and are doubtless about the best that can be obtained for conversion into board.

In addition to the masts and timber, a few deals are imported. These are cut 3 inches thick, and vary in breadth from 9 to 24 inches, and occasionally even to 32 inches. In length they vary from 10 to 20 feet. They are sorted in Canada into three parcels, and designated first, second, and third quality, according as they are found free from knots, sap, defects, &c., &c., or otherwise. They are further denominated "bright," when passed direct from the saw-mills to the craft for shipment, in contradistinction to others, termed "floated," which are often brought over long distances on rafts, and get a little discoloured in their transit. They are commonly sold at per 120, St. Petersburg standard, and the price of the "floated" usually stands depreciated in the market to the extent of about 10 or 12 per cent, below the price of "bright" deals. A simple red chalk mark, thus—I., II., and III., drawn across the middle or side of the deals, is the only distinguishing brand they have to denote their quality.

Yellow Pine timber is subject to the cup and heart shake defects, and there is also a slight degree of sponginess about the centre or early annual layers of the older trees, which detracts a little from their value. Further, the top end of the logs are often coarse and knotty, which renders that part unfit for conversion into small scantlings; but, otherwise, it is a good and profitable description of timber for use, in substitution for the heavier and harder Pines.

The subjoined tables of experiments on the strength of Yellow Pine will afford a means of comparison with other species.