Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-07-13
Special uses for Different Woods.

otoh lOuuu 10 Dc Oy preference adapted.
Spruoe-This wood is used for the tor
boards of violins, gtitars. and sounding
boards for piano. forles. It's more common
use, however. is for beams and posts, il
being light and strong.
Maple is used for the backs Of violin.
and guitars; but most of it is used fol
carpenters tools. Sugar-maple is used by
wheelwrights for axle-trees and spokes,
and for the lining of runners of common
sledges; while red maple as well as sugar
maple is used for saddle trees. Maple is
also used AS II substitute for boxwood, for
wood type and coarse wood-cuts.
Boxwood, imported principally from the
Mediterranean, is mostly used for engrav-
ing wood-cuts. For this purpose the
trunks are cut into transverse slices OF
about one inch thick, and after being thor
oughly seasoned. they are further cut up
into rectangular pieces, and glued together
| If large blocks are wanted; in all of
which the fiber stands on end. so that the
engraving tool will cut no ibers. Box.
wood is also used for making fine orna-
mems. either carved or turned on the
lath]H7sr this purpose standing next to
ivory. Printers quoins and shooting
sticks are also often make of boxwood.
Ebony-This is chiefly used for orna.
mental work and expensive furniture !;
but as It's appearance is easily imitatate by
staining other hard wood, il Is not in such
general favor as it used to be in olden
times.
Dogwood-As this has a very tough and
equal texture, being almost AS strong
transversely as longitudinally. it is a favo-
rite wood for turner's for making wooden
chucks. screws and nuts for book binders
presses, vises. mallets. handles for light
tools, etc. Farmers use it for harrow
teeth, the harness of horse collars, etc. {;
also, being naturally smooth, for the run
ners of light sleds,
Tulip was used from time immemorial
by the Indians for canoes. 1t is now
much used for wooden bowls, the heads
OF hair brooms and sweeping brushes, and
for eating and drinking troughs for cattle.
Holly-The wood of the holly is prin-
clpally used AS substitute for ebony. II
IS dyed black and used for the handles of
metal tea. pots; the strong straight shoots
are deprived of their bark and made into
walking sticks and whip handles.
The lime tree forms the best planks for
glovers and shoemakers to cut leather
upon. and is used in the manufac ure of
toys, pill boxes. etc, while he inner bark
is made into rope and mating.
The orange wood is the finest wood for
tooth-picks, and is used tor many other
purposes.
Sycamore, besides occasic nally used for
the backs and sides of violns and guitars,
is used tor mangles, cider and cheese
presses, wooden dishes and spoons; also
for beating beams in printing and bleach
work, and for patterns in iron foundries.
Yew is used for turning snuff boxes,
vases, and for musical instruments. 1t is
not subject to rotting in the ground, and
lasts longer under ground, than any other
kind of wood; it is therefore used for
posts, water pipes. pumps, etc.. while in
France it is used for axle trees, for which
it is claimed to be better than any other
wood
Beech is used for planes. screws. shoe
lasts, wooden shovels. stocks of muskets
and fowling pieces, and for slaves of her,
ring barrels.
Horn Beam is used for cogs of wheels,
and is the very best for this purpose. much
better than yew or crab. 1t is an excel
lent fuel, perhaps, the very best of woods
burning surprisingly long and giving an
excellent charcoal, preferred in Europe
for the manufacture of gunpowder.
Sweet Chestnut is used for gate posts,
rallngs, hoop poles. barrel slaves, etc.,
while in Switzerland and Spain the char
coal made from it is considered the best
for forges; we however, think oak char
coal better for domestic purposes.
Scotch Pine-This is used for corduroy
roads in Russia. The trunks being laid
fiat close together across the road, alter.
nately, with the tops on one side and the
other the green tops are left on the trees,
and form hedge on each side of the
road.
Larch is used in Germany for wine
casks. II is claimed to be next to indes-
tructable, and also that it prevents the
evaporation of the alcohol through the
pores. In Switzerland it is used for vine
props. which last longer than the vine
they support. In France this wood is used
for water pipes.
Butternut is used for posts and rails of
fences, troughs for cattle, wooden dishes,
and corn shovels.
Hickory-Shell-b bark hickory is used for
baskets, whip-handles, and back bows of
chairs; while pig-nut hickory 10 consid-
cred in this country the best for axle trees,
axe handles and the circle around sieves.
The best quoins and shooting sticks for
printers are made of hickory; they last
longer than those made of lockwood.
Cherry is preferred by printers for fur
niture, reglets. side-sticks, ETC.. being far
better than pine, which is also used great
deal. being cheaper.
Laurel resembles lockwood, and 10 used
as its substitute for handles of light tools,
boxes, small screws, etc.
Birch is used for bowls and trays, and
the young branches of hoops for rice casks.
The twigs OF the red birch, which are
stronger than those of the other kinds, are
used in Europe for common brooms. The
black variety is used for shoe lasts, but
are inferior to those of beech.
Alder-The European variety is there
largely used for wooden shoes, especially
in France. They are made while the
wood is green and wet, seasoned and dried
aferward
Locust is also n substitute for lockwood,
and used by turner's for making spoons
Huu IoIhS lOT SalhuSs sugar UOWib, bnit
cellars, candle sticks. boxes, and other
small articles.
Olive is used for light ornamental arti-
Giles, such AS dressing cases, tobacco boxes,
etc The wood OF the roots is considered
especially valuable, and used as veneer
and for inlaying. being most beautifully
marbled.
Persimmon is the best article for the
malletts of tinmen, large screws. shoe
makers lasts and the shafts of carriages;
it is preferred to ash for the latter purpose.
Ltncewood is the very best for handles
of lances and for shafts of chaises.
Elm is used for cannon carriages. the
gunwale and blocks of ships, aud naves
and felloes of wheels being preferred by
wheelwrighls. of this wood
Cedar-White cedar is used for wash
tubs. pals, and churns; its advantage is
that it always looks clean and instead Of
growing dull and dark by age it becomes
whittier and smoother from use. The hoops
are made Of young cedars split. l makes
good fuel and an excellent charcoal.
Red cedar Is used for slaves. stopcocks.
stakes, boxes, etc., and in Europe often
for coffins.
Gum-The sour gum Is the best wood