Philippine Islands.-Small quantities of red and white lauan, also tanguile, are sold in the British market as "Philippine mahogany." Of the lauans, the red variety is preferred, but it is usual for shippers to require a certain percentage of white to be included in a contract. Tanguile is more valuable than the lauans and is always sold separately from them. The texture of all of these is more or less hard and porous so that they are difficult to work and will not take a good polish.

These woods are imported in all thicknesses of lumber, 1, 11⁄2, 2, 22, 3, and 4 by 8 inches and wider, both rough and dressed, also in 4 by 4 inch, 5 by 5 inch, and 6 by 6 inch squares, and is used as a substitute for Central American and African mahogany in the furniture and cabinet making industries where a less expensive wood is required. Some red lauan has also been used for the manufacture of tanks used in textile mills with satisfactory results.

British India. The quantity of mahogany imported from British India is so small that it is not considered a serious factor in the market. These imports are probably made up of a number of different species including white mahogany from the Andamans, as well as other descriptions, also imports from Burma. There is a fairly regular demand for white mahogany, but the business in the other descriptions is still in the introductory stages.

ASH

Ash is one of the historic woods of England and native stock was used to provide the spears and shields of the men at arms in the days of King Alfred the Great. To-day considerable quantities of ash are consumed annually in the United Kingdom and its use is likely to be increased. It is imported both in the form of lumber and round logs, the former greatly predominating. On account of its peculiar characteristics, ash is used for many purposes in Great Britain, where strength combined with flexibility and lightness is required.

It is, however, in the construction of automobiles, motor busses and trucks, and street cars, that ash is principally used in the United Kingdom. Other important consumers are the agricultural implement, airplane, sporting goods, and furniture industries.

SOURCES OF SUPPLY

The principal countries supplying the United Kingdom with ash are the United States, British Isles, Irish Free State, and Poland, while small quantities are received from Japan, Canada, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia. The ash import trade is largely confined to the ports of London, Liverpool, Manchester, and Glasgow, with the first-named leading.

United States.-The United States supplies most of the ash consumed in the British market and, according to United States statistics, a total of over 15,000,000 board feet of ash lumber was shipped to the United Kingdom during 1926. In addition there was a considerable amount of logs, but unfortunately they are not segregated in American statistics. However, according to the London Timber Trades Journal, no less than 548,531 cubic feet of logs were also imported from the United States through the ports of London and Liverpool during 1925, chiefly through the former port. While ash

log imports were exceptionally heavy during that year and probably were not equally so in 1926, nevertheless a large number were brought in during the latter year.

Most of the ash lumber purchased from the United States is of the white, firm-textured variety for use by the automobile and agricultural implement industries, and, contrary to other hardwoods, is shipped green or surface dry. In lumber, firsts, seconds, and No. 1 common and select qualities are purchased, the specifications being 1 to 4 inches thick, lengths and widths according to the rules of the National Hardwood Lumber Association. The furniture trade also uses American ash for drawer sides and backings, the mild textured variety being used for this purpose. The principal demand is for No. 1 common and select, and No. 2 common qualities, chiefly 1 inch and under.

Within the past year a demand has developed in the United Kingdom for ash shorts by the furniture trade, 1, 14, and 11⁄2 inches thick, 4 to 7 feet long, by 4 inches and wider, in clear, No. 1 common and select, and No. 2 common, but very little of the last named. The boards are resawn or "deeped," as it is called in the furniture industry, into the required thicknesses and used for drawer sides and backs. It would appear that the demand for shorts is a fluctuating one, apparently being influenced to a large extent by the price of regular lengths, it being said that whenever the spread becomes less than a certain figure buyers stop taking the shorts and buy regular lengths instead.

According to reliable sources, it is estimated that during the past three years between 150,000 and 200,000 American ash logs have been imported, a large proportion of which went directly into consumption. These ash logs are purchased in what is known as "prime" quality, the usual specification being 12 inches and up diameter at the small end, 10 to 16 feet long. Only tough-textured white ash is acceptable and it is used exclusively for purposes where strength is required. These logs are sawn through and through to desired thicknesses in local sawmills and sold in this manner to the consuming industries. Unfortunately there are no recognized grading rules for ash logs and just what constitutes a "prime" log is largely a matter of individual opinion. Generally speaking, the British buyer expects fresh winter-felled butt cuts, free from visible defects and straight, on a contract calling for "prime" logs. It is therefore not to be wondered at that on practically every shipment there are a number of rejects. The Southern States furnish practically all of the American ash logs imported. Owing to the danger of worm and/or grub damage, they should not be cut or shipped except during the winter months. One of the principal complaints made against American ash logs is the prevalence of worms in them on arrival at British ports, which is in a large measure due to the logs being felled a considerable time before being shipped.

Owing to the different methods used to measure logs in Great Britain as compared with the United States, it is extremely difficult for an American exporter to figure accurately a c. i. f. quotation "Liverpool quarter girth" measuremeasure the usual basis of sale, full particulars of which will be found in the section on "Measurement of lumber, timber, and round logs.'

Poland.-Ash from Poland meets with fair favor in the United Kingdom, particularly on account of the large dimensions in which it is procurable, and imports have now reached fairly large proportions. These are almost exclusively in the form of logs, although a small quantity of unedged lumber obtained by sawing the logs through and through is also brought in, London being the principal market. A usual specification calls for 12 inches and up diameter at the small end, at least 50 per cent 16 inches and up. The texture of this ash varies, but the best compares favorably with the American white variety and for that reason is used very largely by the automobile trade. Another factor in favor of the Polish ash from the British importers' point of view is its freedom from worms. The inability of Polish lumber exporters to finance their trade and to furnish regular supplies has restricted shipments in the past, but great efforts are being made to increase them. If these are successful, America will likely feel this competition more in the future than she has in the past. It must not be overlooked that the demand for Polish ash has been developed in Great Britain in the face of its selling for approximately $10 to $15 per M feet over the American variety.

England and Irish Free State.-At one time English ash, especially in the log form, was a very serious competitor of American ash, it being used by practically the same industries, chiefly the automobile. During the 1920 boom these ash logs were available at lower prices than the American product, and better specifications as regards diameter and especially as to lengths were obtainable. Another factor that helped the market for native stock was the fact that when these logs were cut and sticked for seasoning purposes, they retained to a very much greater extent their toughness and weight than American ash. However, an undesirable feature, at least from the merchant's point of view, is that, on account of its texture, English ash must be seasoned considerably longer than the American before it can be used.

Within the last three or four years, however, American ash in log form has been largely imported into the United Kingdom at prices below those which would have to be paid for prime English stock. Although consumers would prefer, all other things being equal, to use British logs, at the same time the American stock being available in fairly good specifications and at a lower price has caused the business to be placed in the United States. The breaking up of many large estates into small holdings has resulted in the wholesale cutting of timber by the new owners for revenue purposes, and many of the remaining large estate owners are selling off their large timber without replacing it.

Although the ash logs imported into the United Kingdom from the Irish Free State do not compare as to specification with the English, they do compare favorably with the American, and the texture is considered about halfway between English and American for toughness and firmness. English and Irish Free State ash is mostly purchased in the log, f. o. b. loading point, from farmers and private landowners by what are known as home timber merchants, who have buyers going around the country looking for supplies. Many of these merchants operate sawmills in connection with their business and the logs are usually sent direct to the mill and sawn through and through to the thicknesses required, then sticked for seasoning.

Merchants who do not operate sawmills have the sawing done at custom plants.

English ash is preferred to all others for airplanes and by builders of high-class automobile bodies and delivery vans where extreme bending properties are required for the body. It is also preferred by manufacturers of sporting goods, it being especially regarded for the rims of tennis rackets.

During the early summer of 1927, English ash logs were selling for approximately 3s. 6d. to 4s. per cubic foot, free on rails loading point, which means a selling price of about 6s. or 7s. per cubic foot for the logs sawn through and through ex merchants' yard. This is too expensive for the mass-production automobile plants, where price is a prime consideration, and its use is largely confined to manufacturers requiring an especially high-grade wood where price is a secondary

matter.

Central Europe, Russia, and Japan.-Small quantities of ash, both lumber and logs, are imported into Great Britain from Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia (Slavonian), Russia, and Japan, but the quantity is insignificant. The Japanese product is of a soft texture, brown in color, and used exclusively for furniture making. In pre-war days ash from Hungary was considered superior to all others, but none has been received for many years. In addition to these countries, during 1925 some fair-sized parcels of logs were received in London from Albania, but they appear to have ceased as none has arrived for some time.

SUGGESTIONS FOR AMERICAN EXPORTERS

While up to the present time the United States has held its own in the United Kingdom ash market, it must not be assumed that competitors are going to sit still and make no effort to secure the business if it is possible. Many complaints are made by importers against the texture of shipments received on contracts calling for "tough and/or firm-textured white ash" and it is the opinion of some that this species is becoming scarce in the United States. Excessive worm and/or grub holes is another complaint frequently made against the American wood and although these may be permitted under the grading rules, it places United States stock at a disadvantage with that received from competitive countries which is free from this defect.

Constant fluctuations in price are also a great detriment to business and every substantial advance opens the way for substitutes. Few materials are indispensable and with a growing tendency in the British automobile trade toward all-metal bodies it would be unfortunate if American ash exporters should do anything to further that policy. American exporters of tough and/or firm-textured white ash, such as is desired by the British automobile trade, should therefore be careful not to play into the hands of their competitors, who are never slow to take advantage of every opportunity to win business by making importers dissatisfied either through the quality or texture of the stock shipped or by neglecting to supply their needs when the demand is good in the domestic market.