The trade in foreign deals, battens, boards, &c., from the countries in the North of Europe, is very great, and there were imported into the United Kingdom, in 1874, 2,800,000 loads; in 1873, 2,450,000 loads; in 1872, about 2,300,000 loads; as compared with 2,140,000 loads in 1871; 1,900,000 loads in 1870, and 1,380,000 loads in 1866. Large as these quantities are, they seem likely to go on increasing, and will probably continue to do so, until the supply is exhausted. Sweden has contributed the larger portion of these, Norway and Russia come next, and are nearly alike in quantity; Prussia follows, and Finland supplies least of all.
To particularise and describe the various shades of difference to be found in the quality of these deals, battens, &c., would be next to impossible, drawn as they are from so many ports of shipment in each of the countries referred to; but, taking them in a general way, the order of quality would stand, first or best with Prussia, then with Russia, Sweden, and Finland, and lastly, with Norway. Each of these countries classify their goods by first and second, and sometimes third quality, the respective distinctions of classes being based upon the perfection or otherwise of the manufacture, and freedom from shakes, sap, or defects.
From whatever source these deals are obtained, they are usually branded with some fancy mark, letter or device, as varied in character as the names of the different merchants who produce them. These trade-marks are all liable to be changed, and the purchaser, unless he can make the selection for himself, must rely upon the reputation and integrity of the firm he treats with, for obtaining the particular article he may require.
The following are samples of the trade-marks in present use upon deals and battens:—
