interior finish of houses, and in boat-building, as well as for shingles, pumps, and wooden ware.
The only timber I know which it resembles closely in colour, texture, and grain, is that of Magnolia acuminata.[1]
Neither Stevenson, Hough, nor Stone, however, speak of a form of this timber known as "blistered poplar," which is occasionally found, as I believe, only in old trees, and which is sometimes imported in small quantities to Europe. This seems akin to the figured maple wood known as bird's eye maple, but has the figure in oblong patches from 2 inches long downwards, of a dark olive colour on a paler olive-green ground, and is one of the most ornamental woods I know, fit to be used in the finest cabinet work. I saw large planks of this variety in the Exhibition at St. Louis, and have had some of it worked into the panels of a screen.
The wood of the tulip tree grown in England seems to be nearly as good in quality as the imported timber, though not quite so pure in colour. From a tree which was cut at Highclere a plank was sent me by the kindness of the Earl of Carnarvon, which has been used in the same screen, and I have a large book-case of which the back is made of the imported wood, selected by an experienced cabinetmaker as best for the purpose.
Mouillefert says that in Paris its use is increasing for all purposes for which the wood of the lime and poplar is suitable, and that it has when fresh cut a pleasant smell of orange, which, however, is soon lost as it dries.(H.J.E.)
- ↑ Mr. Weale tells me that the timber of this Magnolia, as well as that of M. grandiflora and M. glauca, come into the Liverpool market mixed with that of the tulip tree, and that though the two former may easily be distinguished by a person who knows them well, yet that M. glauca can only be identified with a lens, and that in consequence of this mixture, opinions differ as to the suitability of the wood for laying veneers upon. He thinks that if bone dry, the wood of the tulip tree is fit for this purpose, but not equal to that of American chestnut, American cherry, or Honduras mahogany, of which the latter is best. He also says that for pattern making Quebec yellow pine is distinctly superior, and worth from 1s. to 2s. a foot more.
