TEAK

Teak is highly valued in the United Kingdom, its peculiar properties making it preferred to any other species for many purposes. In its green state it will not float so that, in order to dry the logs sufficiently to enable them to be floated down the rivers, the standing timber is first killed by girdling, i. e., removing a section of the bark and sapwood and leaving the trees two or more years before felling. The timber and lumber thus arrives in the United Kingdom in a fairly dry condition, weighing about 45 pounds to the cubic foot, so that little shrinkage takes place later. On account of the high cost of transportation, only selected stock, fairly free from knots and other defects, is shipped to the United Kingdom.

Teak does not warp, split readily, or sliver, has an even straight grain and is mild in texture, which makes it easy to work. A peculiarity of teak is that it contains an oil, more pronounced in Burma and Siam shipments than others, which resists the action of water and acts as a preventive against rust when iron is in contact with it. The fact that it resists the ravages of the termite or white ant, also fire, are other special attributes. These qualities, in conjunction with its rich brown color, exceptional wearing qualities, and strength, make it almost an ideal wood for many purposes and only its comparatively high price prevents its greater use.

SOURCES OF SUPPLY

In the United Kingdom market teak is divided into three categories or classifications designated by the countries of origin: Burma or Siam, Saigon (French Indo-China or Cochin China), and Java.

The Burma variety is shipped almost entirely from Rangoon, with a small amount from Moulmein, the Siam from Bangkok, and

the Cochin China from Saigon, while the Java variety comes from the Netherland East India island of that name.

Although more expensive, the Burma or Siam teak is greatly preferred to the Javan on account of its milder texture, greater freedom from defects and better specifications, particularly as to lengths in which it can be obtained. On the other hand, the Java teak is often extremely hard, making it difficult to work; it also contains more defects than the East India, is shorter in length, and is largely hewn making it more wasteful in conversion. For these reasons, very little of it is used and imports are of insignificant proportions. According to preliminary estimates, the production of teak in Burma during 1926 amounted to approximately 300,000 loads of 50 cubic feet each, which was shipped to the following markets:

The production in Siam was about 54,000 loads, during the same period, which were shipped to the following markets:

Europe, Africa, and America_ .

India and Asia...

Loads 4, 653

49, 347

Total___

54, 000

The situation in Burma during 1926 was a difficult one, according to a leading British agent in close touch with conditions in that country, because, owing to a variety of causes, the output from the forests was below requirements, partly as a result of bad floating conditions. It was estimated that the shortage of round logs arriving from the forests at the sawmills in Rangoon amounted to about 20 to 25 per cent as compared with previous normal years, owing to many logs being held up in the forest streams unable to reach the river, and to reduced girdlings in previous years necessitated by the requirements of the forest felling rotation schedules.

The following table shows imports of teak into the United Kingdom during 1925:

Referring to the figures in the foregoing table, one of the leading London agents for teak doubts the accuracy of the total for "timber

and, in his opinion, a considerable quantity has been included with "lumber" owing to incorrect description being given on customs entry forms by importers.

PRINCIPAL PORTS OF ENTRY

Liverpool, London, and Glasgow are the principal ports of entry for teak in the United Kindgom, in the order of their importance. Occasionally small quantities are imported direct to Belfast, Leith, Hull, and Avonmouth (Bristol).

The teak trade at the principal ports of entry during 1926 was as shown in the following statement:

Total

6, 055 The London figures do not include imports, principally lumber, delivered overside into barges, which are considerable, but only such arrivals as were landed at the docks controlled by the Port of London Authority.

Practically all the imports into Glasgow were from Burma, less than 100 loads coming from Siam and none whatever from Java.

SPECIFICATIONS AND QUALITIES

Teak is imported in the form of round logs, sawn and hewn timber, lumber, and flitches. Flitches are planks 41⁄2 inches and thicker, free of centers. The quantity of round logs is small, as they are not liked in the United Kingdom; neither is the hewn timber, which is imported almost entirely from Java.

The usual specification of sawn or hewn timber is 10 by 10 inches and up, chiefly 12 by 12 inches and up in three qualities known sometimes as first, second and third, while some shippers use names such as "prime," "crown," and "star" to indicate the quality.

Lumber is sold on an average length, width, and thickness basis, planks being 211⁄2 inches and thicker, 6 inches and wider by 6 feet and up long, the average varying from 8 feet by 8 inches by 31⁄2 inches to 20 feet by 11 inches by 31⁄2 inches or more.

Boards are 1, 14, 112, and 2 inches thick as a rule, although occasionally 1/2 and 34 inch are called for. The usual average on which boards are sold is 8 feet by 8 inches or 9 feet by 9 inches. Decking is an important item, the usual sizes being 22 and 3 by 5 inches wide, 16 feet and longer, averaging about 20 feet.

Planks, boards, and decking are imported in three qualities, known as first, intermediate, and second, but very little decking is sold in the last-named quality.

Sawn and hewn timber is measured to the extreme contents, based on caliper measure taken in center of piece, while round logs are measured according to the Hoppus system.

In addition to these items, large quantities of small blocks, about 24 by 316 inches either 6 or 7 inches long, in various shapes known as "keys" are imported for use by the British railroads.

PRICES

At the end of April, 1927, the market values for teak c. i. f. London, per load of 50 cubic feet, depending on quality and specification required, were as shown in the following statement:

On account of the oil it contains, making it impervious to the weather, teak is considered the premier wood by the British shipbuilding industry for the exposed portions of vessels because it acts as a preventive against rust when iron is in contact with it. While consumption of teak has been somewhat curtailed during the past few years, owing to fewer battleships and high-class passenger vessels being built, considerable quantities are still used in the shipbuilding industry. For vessels trading in the tropical and far eastern trade teak is a necessity on account of its resistance to the white ant or termite, and is always used for the decks and other parts of the superstructure made of wood, such as deck houses, officers' quarters, chart house, rails, companion ladders, and panel work. The lifeboats on such vessels are also made of teak. It is also used where a superior wood is required and where cost is not a first consideration for first-class cargo vessels, especially where owners carry their own insurance. On account of the larger sizes, greater oil content, and easier working, Burma or Siam wood is preferred for shipbuilding.

Equal, if not of greater importance, to shipbuilding as a consumer of teak is the railway passenger car building industry. Not only is the building of railroad passenger cars for foreign countries where the white ant is prevalent an important industry in Great Britain, but most of those used by the British railroads themselves are built out of this species on account of its excellent wearing qualities.

The British railroads use a somewhat different method of laying rails than the American in that they are fastened to the ties by iron blocks called "chairs" instead of being laid directly on them. The space in the chair taking the rail is about 2 inches wider than the rail itself. To hold the rail tight, a wooden wedge is driven between it and the side of the chair. Not only does this wedge hold the rail firmly in position, but the removal of them makes the replacing of

any rail a comparatively simple matter. These wooden wedges are known as "keys." Teak has been found extremely suitable for this purpose on account of its imperviousness to the weather, and large quantities are imported each year into Great Britain for this purpose.

It is also used to a large extent for high-class fittings in banks, hotels, municipal and other public buildings, and store fronts. Being of milder texture and taking a better finish, the Burma or Siam stock, or even Saigon wood, is preferred for these purposes to Java.

On account of its resistance to decay even when constantly subjected to drying and wetting, such as from constant washing, many hospitals are floored with teak, blocks being the form preferred.

Unlike other countries, such as the Netherlands and the Far East, Great Britain has never favored teak for furniture, its high cost as compared with other hardwoods, strong odor, and dull color, being against it. However, there is a certain demand for novelty items, such as tables, chairs, and garden seats made of teak from old battleships on account of its historic interest, also for the manufacture of furniture for export. Some of the old battleships contain as much

FIG. 17.-Wooden "key" for holding rails in "chairs"

as 600 to 1,000 tons of teak, a fair amount of which can be reclaimed when the vessel is broken up.

AFRICAN TEAK

Iroko, also called African teak, is imported from West Africa in small quantities. It is strong, durable, and straight-grained and is used in place of the genuine teak on account of its cheaper price. The use of Iroko, however, is not permitted where specifications call for teak. Recently the British courts have rendered a decision against a contractor who had used it against an architect's specification for teak, although the lumber dealer had sold it to him as Iroko teak.

WALNUT

Walnut is next in importance to oak and mahogany as a high-class furniture and finishing wood in the United Kingdom. It has long been known for its attractive appearance, stability, strength, and wearing qualities, many dressing tables and other intimate articles of furniture of the Queen Anne period (early eighteenth century) noted for their graceful beauty being made of walnut, while still