tain the amount of dressing to which they have been subjected, and whether or not the fibre has been cut or destroyed to a degree that would impair its trust-worthiness for mast purposes. If the spar is found to be straight and free from injurious knots, and excessive dressing, it may be accepted as likely to do good service, the strength and elasticity of this wood comparing favourably with those of the Riga and Dantzic Firs.
The trees that remain after the spars are withdrawn are hewn into a square form, and have a small amount of wane left upon each angle (Fig. 28). They are also
FIG. 28a.
FIG. 28b.
dressed to follow the natural taper of the tree, which is rather more rapid and noticeable than in other Pines. No particular classification is made of this wood for the market, beyond the separation of the larger from the smaller or building scantlings, and the quotations of prices for the timber are generally for "large," or for "mixed," and "building" sizes.
The Red Pine of Canada is dearer than the Fir timber of the North of Europe by at least the difference in the cost of freight, and, hence, it does not find quite so ready a sale, the quality of the article to be employed in ordinary building operations not being so much a consideration as the quantity to be obtained for money.
