The business of the joiner is distinct from that of a carpenter, insomuch as it regards the more ornamental and nicer parts of the art of building; whereas the carpenter is concerned more with the solidity and stability than the beauty or decoration necessary to a finished piece of building. I shall, therefore, endeavour to be minute in the instructions, and particular in the directions, that accuracy and necessary solidity may be combined, that beauty and truth of workmanship may be attained; and, as we here mean not to dictate to the experienced workman, but to throw out hints and produce examples to assist those who may not be acquainted with the various methods in use, no apology will, we trust, be necessary for introducing what may be generally known amongst the more initiated, but for the benefit of the less experienced endeavour to compress in a small compass all the material rules and directions that tend to produce a good workman.

The different kinds of wood mostly in use with the joiner are white and yellow deal, wainscot, or American oak, and mahogany, which, though unnecessary to describe particularly, I will here mention their qualities, and use? to which they are applied; and first, with respect to deal, which is generally imported into this country in lengths of from six to fourteen feet, though twelve feet is the most general length, and for most purposes cut to the greatest advantage; the thickness is about three inches, and width about nine. In choosing deals, we must select those free from knots or shakes, and which appear of the straightest grain, reserving the coarser ones for such common purposes that we may have occasion for. The yellow deals are in general the straightest grain and freest from knots, and consequently most proper for styles of doors and framing, as well as for sticking all sorts of mouldings, as it works clean and sharp. The white deal is proper for panels, which should be cut down the middle and joined again; an edge to a middle and so on, to the width of the panel, and carefully avoid a knot, if possible on the edge of your joint, as it will frequently cause it to fly, however good it may be at first, if the panel should shrink ever so little. The next wood in order is wainscot, which is imported in logs of different dimensions; such should be selected as appear to be cut from a straight tree, and which should be of a clear grain, and free from streaks of a lighter colour, as then parts are of a softer texture, and are the beginning of decay in the timber, termed among workmen doughty parts of the wood. In cutting a log of wainscot, if we cut it in the same direction as the beat of the wood, the boards will be variegated and have a handsome appearance; if we cut it contrary to the direction of the beat, it will have an uniform appearance and a clear look; the first is proper for panels and such like, and the latter for the styles and frames of doors, sashes, etc. as it will mortice better, and be less likely to split or warp. The last wood we shall mention is mahogsny, which is used only in the best kind of work for doors, sash frames, banister rails, etc, and is of several kinds, known principally by workmen under the general terms Spanish and Honduras. The first is considerably harder than the last, and is less frequently of a variegated grain, though when it is, it is very handsome. The latter is generally of a spongy texture, and and often very cross grained, which contributes to its mottled or variegated appearance, and is often very difficult to work to bring it to a smooth face, but when good is very proper for panels of doors, etc, though the Spanish is by far the best for framing or for mouldings, as it works clean, and is generally used for the banister rails of staircases, as it is less liable to break when cut out on the sweep, as its texture is both strong and its grain even. There is another kind of mahogany, known under the term Ratteen, which is often of great use for panels, as its dimensions are large, therefore there is no occasion for jointing, and as it is of a reasonable price, is often substituted for deal, particularly for sweep work that is to be painted, as the facia of shop fronts, sign boards, etc, that are liable to the changes of wet and dry, or are exposed to the sun and air; for however good your joints may be, they will, in this case, be liable to fly, however well secured by blocks at the back of the joint, or other means generally used. Having given a short sketch of what regards the woods in general used by the joiner, as well as the uses to which the different sorts are most applicable, we will now proceed to give some useful receipts applicable to this part of the building art.