4 JANUARY 1952, Page 23

The Timber Trade

A sort of liMber, drawn by a powerful engine, came cautiously down the hill. It was loaded with several whole trees from which the branches had been trimmed. Back there, beyond the treeless skyline. they have been working hard putting down Norway spruce and the like to make up for the work going on closer at hand. The planters are running an uneven race with the fellers, even if they put down trees of quick growth. Where the old oaks and elms are going I do not know, but the logging trade thrives, as I can vouch, 'for a very small load cost me six pounds. When I talked to the undertaker in the village the other day, he said the timber being used for coffins (unseasoned elm) was shamefully inferior to that used before the war. Once a good man went to his last rest in the finest figured oak. but even then our woods were spared. The oak came from Japan and California. I forgot to ask where the present-day elm comes from. My acquain- tance was busy supervising the delivery of another " box " as he called it.