Abstract
A Forest Bulletin, No. 84, in the Economy Series of the Imperial Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, has been recently issued (Delhi: Manager of Publications, 1934) entitled the “Identification of the Commercial Timbers of the Punjab“by K. A. Chowdhury, wood technologist. The Indian Research Institute has been a pioneer in getting together information on the timbers of a definite region, having undertaken intensive research in the timber resources of India during the past twenty years; with the result that the number of timbers now sold in the market is much greater than it was a few years ago. This fact, states the author, has resulted in difficulties in identification of some of the species which have now come upon the market. The aim of the Bulletin, and a predecessor on Burma timbers, is primarily to show the differences of the anatomical structure of some of the more commercial timbers of the Punjab, and the way to identify them on the spot with the assistance only of a hand lens and pocket knife. Brief notes are also given on the strengths, seasoning properties, durability, working qualities and uses for each species: these latter add greatly to the practical value of the publication. The commercial woods of the Punjab, of which a proportion are temperate species, both conifer and broad-leaved species, are comparatively few in number and their identification is by no means difficult. Those who make use of this Bulletin will find the excellent low power (x 10) photomicrographs of considerable assistance. The species dealt with include the Himalayan conifers, deodar, spruce and silver firs, several pines and broad-leaved trees such as walnut, several oaks, boxwood, poplar and alder; and the Plains species, such as sal, mango, tun, sissoo, tamarix and so forth.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Commercial Timbers of the Punjab. Nature 135, 649 (1935). https://doi.org/10.1038/135649b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/135649b0