One young chap commented that, if the Parson who planned the perfect shay had used bodark for the axles, the thing would still be running. The point of the youngster's specification of using bodark for the axles would seem to be may have been that the axles, being regularly greased at least at the end where it counted, would not have cracked or split. All of which leads me to a speculation. Marine archaeologists use some sort of plastic bath, the nature of which I cnanot remember, to preserve ancient wood that they have taken from the water and to prevent it from cracking as it dries. Even if used only as a veneer, it would be both beautiful and lasting.
Someone really ought to look into the matter.
I am trying to ascertain the fate of the Gott Corporation which used to be in Winfield, Kansas. Do you have an e-mail address or street address for their Chamber of Commerce. You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. I presume this appelation was developed some time after Agincourt. Shelter Belt is the name I remember.