Litchfield enquirer., 1881-10-06
Substitute for Black Walnut.

There seems to be great alarm among the manufacturers Of furniture over the disappear ance of black walnut lumber. It was opce very plenty in all the western and southwest cru states and in Canada, and was freely used for fuel and fences It suddenly became fashionable for making furniture, and fin- ishing in houses, and the fashion continued longer that the supply. It is now difficult to obtain it except at very high prices. The To- ronto Globe thinks the best substitution it may be found in the black birch, which abounds in all parts of Canada. IL says: "Black birch is close grained, handsome wood, and can easi- ly be stained to resemble walnut exactly. It is just as easy to work, and is suitable for nearly all purposes to which walnut is at pre- sent applied. Birch is much the same color as cherry but, as the latter wood is so scarce, and consequently so dear, the dealers do not take much stock in it. It is with difficulty that cherry wood can be obtained at $50 a thousand feet, while birch wood can be pur- chased at any saw mill for $15. When stalned It is almost impossible to distinguish the df- ference between it and walnut as it is suscept- ible of beautiful polish equal to any wood now use in the manufacture of furniture When it became known throughout the Unit ed States and Canada that the supply of wal. nut was almost exahusted, the dealers set their brains to work to find substitute; and now, since birch has been thought of the price is slowly advancing. In the forests throughout Ontario, birch grows in abundance, especially if the land be not too boggy There is great difference in the wood of different sections. Where the land is high and dry, the wood is firm and clear, but if the land where the wood is grown be low and wet, the wood has ten- dency to be soft and ol bluish color. In the northern regions it can be found in great
 
 size, little trouble is experienced in procuring a large quantity.
 DISCOURSE AT GARFIELD's FUNERAL-Th funeral discourse of the Rev. Isaac Brett owe the remains Of the late president was of plain but not unimpressive character. Sur prise has been expressed in some quarters that some one more gifted with oratorica1 power was not selected for the occasion While hu one could have paid snce:er tribute to the memory of the dead president than did Mir Errett, his address can hardly be considered a notable one. The circumstances which led to his selection as the orator of the mournful occasion are not without interest. During the war, or at some time immediately preceding, curious compact was made between four gentlemen: General Garfield, the Rev. Mir. Errett, the Rev. Harrison Jones of Cleveland, hechaplain of General Garfeld's regiment, and Dr. J. r. Robinson This compact was to the effect that when any one of the four died, the survivors were to attend the funeral and take some part of the ceremonies. The four gen tlemen were all members of the Disciples church. MT. Brett is one of the leading preachers of the denomination and the editor ot its organ in Cincinnati. Dr. Robinson was General Garheld's near neignhor and intimate friend ln Mentor. General Garfield was the first to pass away, and at the desire of Mrs. Garfield the old compact was carried out to the letter, Dr. Robinson having general charge or the funeral ceremonies on Monday, MT. Erret delivering the oration at Monument park, and Chaplin Jones the final address at the cemetery.