A New Discovery in Timber
Page 41
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By a Timber Salesman
IT is not often that a new and really useful discovery is made in the wood world, especially one that is British. But if Birnut proves to be all that is claimed for it, and, so far, the results have been highly satisfactory, then it is hardly too much to say that modern science has achieved the wonders of Aladdin's cave, where, I believe, one could get "new lamps for old."
For Birnut is none other than our old and tried wood—that wood which has served manitind from time immemorial, in ways which vary from the making of syrup, sugar and oil in Russia to the distillation of whisky in Scotland—birch served up in still another new form.
Birnut is selected Quebec birch, gas-treated to a rich brown colour. This treatment is rather similar to creosoting, but instead of the wood being impregnated with tar or creosote it is treated with a special gas and steam, and, later, goes through a process of kiln-drying, in which
any given percentage of moisture can be obtained.
The advantage of this is obvious, for the wood can be seasoned to suit the atmosphere of any country. For the United Kingdom and the Continent 11 per cent. to 14 per cent, moisture is necessary, but for countries which have dry atmospheres about 7 per cent, is sufficient.
Birnut has only recently been introduced to this country from Canada, where it has proved ideal for the interior work of all passenger vehicles.
It presents a rich, dark colour, which does not fade with age, and It has more diversity of figure than has American walnut. The wood can be polished, varnished, left plain or treated with wax polish. It is more durable than American walnut, it can be obtained in better lengths and widths and, what is still more important, it can be bought for about half the price of the American wood.