Hemlock.
Respecting the merits of hemlock, the Minneapolis Lumberman has a good word in its last issue. It quotes from a correspondent at Williamsport, Pa., regarding the experience with the wood there as a foundation for paving blocks; and in regard to a stretch of Nicholson pavement there which had been down sixteen years, goes on to say:
“The blocks had been placed on two thicknesses of one inch hemlock, the boards coated both sides with coal tar. When the pavement was taken up, the boards were found to be in good condition—so perfectly sound that they were put back again for possibly another sixteen years. The correspondent says that out of a mile of sixty foot street, less than 10,000 feet of the old planking was condemned. There seems to be no question as to the superlative merit of hemlock for paving purposes.”
This is valuable testimony, and better evidence of the lasting qualities of hemlock under paving blocks than any Western experience has produced, for the reason that it has nowhere in the West been so long as that in use. It has been recognized, however, as a wood excellently suited to this purpose, and is employed almost exclusively wherever the cedar block pavement is freely used, which includes a good many of the large cities in the United States, and practically all Western towns in which any paving is done. It is apparent that lumbermen are beginning to take a strong interest in hemlock, and evidences of its growth in favor are becoming rather plentiful. It occasionally gets a setback from some local dealer, who has come off second best in an encounter with its slivers, but it is bound to come more and more in use in spite of the strong objection that is made to it by some users. Its light weight and great strength for many building purposes are factors that tell.—Timberman.