440 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN March 2, 191‘ however, is not a native art, and although a number of Canadian lumbermen are now in this country for the purpose of showing us how it is done, there is still a great difficulty in getting enough timber for our urgent needs. It seems useless, in times like the present, to be too particular with regard to the kind of timber used for pit props. For instance, Irish larch, which is used satisfactorily in the coal fields of Lancashire and Scotland, finds little favour in South Wales. Of course the conditions vary greatly in different coal fields, and in South Wales the pressures to be supported are admittedly large; but when the Scotch pine and spruce of Scandinavia and Russia are no longer available, and it has become necessary to fall back upon the maritime pine of Southern Europe, it is a little strange that larch, which is stronger than any of the above-mentioned varieties, and more resistant to fungoid decay, should have been hitherto so little appreciated, unless its higher cost has stood in the way. This factor, however, can scarcely operate seriously at the present time, when every kind of timber is expensive. The value of imported pit timber has steadily increased since the war. For the year 1914 it was £3,259,346, for 1915 it increased to £4,786,361, and last year it was £6,908,091, notwithstanding the smaller quantity imported and the larger quantity of home-grown timber used. During the month of January last 107,445 loads were imported, mainly from Southern Europe, and the value is estimated at £382,740, which is higher than that of the corresponding month in either of the two preceding years, although the quantity was less. A point that should be kept in mind by forest owners in these times of high prices and ruthless demolition of woodlands is the value of a well- considered scheme of working, whereby permanent damage to the forests may be reduced to a minimum. The Board of Agriculture and Fisheries has issued a special leaflet (No. 17) upon this subject, and this should be carefully studied by anyone contemplating the supply of home-grown pit timber. In this will be found many useful details respecting quality and dimensions chiefly in demand in the different coal fields. It is unavoidable that the question of home- grown timber should be closely related to the labour problem. Under existing conditions it is useless to expect that much attention can be given to planting or to any of the schemes of reafforestation that were in the air before the war. THE LOHDOM COAL TRADE. Thursday, March 1. The demand is just as keen in the London area, and mer- chants report a continual flow of orders from the general public, and a large number of others still in hand unexe- cuted. Collieries are still refusing further orders, and the open market has very little free coal offering. The buying and selling is largely confined to factors and merchants who may have small quantities for sale or due to come forward. The cartage and delivery question is still in a critical con- dition, and the shortage of labour is making itself felt on all sides. Huge motor lorries have greatly assisted in the delivery to large works, but the pressing needs in the poorer neighbourhoods, where small quantities are required, are still as great as ever. An increasing number of house- holders fetch their own coal from the depots. The London and North-Western Railway Company have published a list of 44 stations closed for passenger traffic,