Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-09-05
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DUSTRT.4L USES


of woods, useful and ornamental, are num-
bered almost by thousands, some four or
i've hundred distinct specimens having
been procured from continent SO. little
known as Africa. But of these thousands
only comparatively few are known other
than as curiosities, and perhaps two or three
score constitute the limit of those kinds or
dinarily employed in the wide range of art
and industry, even in the most advanced
centres of civilization. Varieties, too, that
are extremely scarce and costly in coun-
tries where cabinet-making is extensively
carried on, and for which purpose rare and
beautiful materials are so desirable are
known to be abundant in some regions as
yet unopened or only accessible with great
difficulty. This remark applies with pc
culiar pertnency to certain portions of AL
geria, from which, in times past, specimens
of that coveted wood, the olive have been
brought-planks and blocks of enormous
size, equaling indeed, the dimensions of
the largest oaks. AS is we'll known, the
color and granting of the wood, and of the
root portion especially, of tho olive trees
from that land are surprisingly beautiful,
rendering 1t Invaluable for ornamental and
cabinet purposes. Another most exquisite
wood from the country named is the thuja
the same as that called citrus by the Ro-
mans. 1t was so rare, however, among the
latter that tables made Of 1t were hardly to
be procured even at fabulous prices and
the females who were repro9ched with
extravaganza in dress and ornaments, re-
torted on their husbands with the prices
paid by the latter for tables of citruswood.
1t is said that Cicero gave the sum of q
million of sesterces-equal to S50,OO0-for
one ofthem, and still larger prices are cited
by historians, especially for one table be-
longing to the Moorish King. Juba the
root, with its knots, afforded the most priz-
ed portion, and, though il was generally
used for nlaying and vcneering, the EN-
peror Commodus possessed also cups and
vases made of it. The peculiarities of this
wood explain its value. None is so full OF
spots, satiny luster, and variegated veins
it takes lovely and perfect polish, and
the hues pass from deep fiery red TO those
Of the pinkest mahogany, these tnts being
also permanent, not fading like rosewood,
nor becoming black like mahogany; il
combines, indeed, so many elegant quail
| ties, that the Partisan cabinet max ers unan-
imously prefer the thuja wood TO every
other for their costly productions.
But to pursue the subject in this strain
would require much space. OF those sorts
of wood largely in use for choice work, it
may be remarked the silver grain appear
ance is very popular, giving them beauti-
| full streaks of glancing, satiny luster, such
as are seen in the oak and beech. The yew
| is in high favor in European countries, the
wood being close and fine grained, hard and
compact, exceedingly durable, and capable
of taking high polish elegantly veined
and maibled portions taken from the
| branching regions of the trunk and roots,
| and furniture of matchess beauty con.
| structed of it.
The cedar tree is thought to have greatly
| degenerated from its former adaptncss to
ornamental uses, being now usually light
and spongy, of a reddish while color, scent.
| ed like ordinary pine. and not very dura-
| bic; even the existing cedar of Lebanon is
| by no means remarkable for beauty, dura
| bility or sweetness of odor all of which
| properties were prominently ascribed tt
| it in former times.
The spruce is easy to ::ork in any direc.
ton, is capable equally of taking a high
polish or black stain, is good wood to
bear gliding, and, from the facility with
which it may be glued, is much used foI
lining furniture, and in the construction o.
mu ,ical instruments.
What is called generally white pine yields
timber of greater size than any other soft
wooded tree, and its value to man for in
Vulnerable purposes can scarcely be esti-
mated. The larch is close grained anC
compact reddish or gray wood strong ant
durable.
The woods obtained from some of thu
peat boys, such as the bOg-oak, &c, being
deeply stained with rich coloring matter
have been largely applied to artistic pur
poses, including personal ornament, thu
quantity of the latter sold in the United
States alone during the last two or tire
years, as 'jewelry SETS" reaching man,
tons. The bog-yew of Ireland and the boz
Scotch fir are considerably noted in thi
way.
Beech is somewhat liable to the attacks O
insects, but stains well, so as to simulat
high-colored foreign woods, such as rose
wood and ebony. The chestnut has beef
much used for the framework of articles t.
be covered with veneers of more valuable
materials. Birch is much used for making
into toys, when it is white, as are also In
poplars-to say nothing of more importan
applications, so well known. The blacl
walnutis almost unsurpassed, even by ma
hogany, for cabinet and fin
ishing; the grain is fine, and among its va
rous good qualities are tenacity, hardness
strength, durability and capacity for pol
ish.
Without extending this list further,
may be remarked that for all practical pur
poses, those woods appear to be best in
which the cells are lined with resinou
matter, or at least a matter insoluble il
water, and which does not attract atmos
pheric moisture.
Some of the most interesting processes
which have lately been introduced in tn,
various arts to which wood is applicable
will now be mentioned. Among this nov
elites in this line is NJ. Payen's "artifi cia
wood" as described by him before the Con
servatoire DIES Arts ct Meters, and whicl
appears to be kind of ebony, very hard
very heavy, and capable of receiving
high polish and brilliant varnish. 1t is
curious process. The inventor takes very
fine saw-dust, mixes it with blood from
the slaughter-houses, and submits the re.
sultng paste to heavy pressure, obtained
by the hydraulic press. If the paste ha,
been incloset in molds, it will take the
form of the mold and resemble pieces o