Morning journal and courier., 1883-07-11

yaIue and Extent of the ImportatiOnS-
 Use for Ornamental PurpOses-Relative
 Proportions of Mahogany, C,dar and
 Rosewood.
 From the New York Daily Commercial Buletin.l
 There has lately arrived in this city a cargo of logs from Havre, of the kind known as Circassian walnut, and comprising among 1t some trees of extraordinary size. It does not apparently differ in grain or quality from American walnut dealer, who is familiar ly acquainted with the nature and extent of the importations, said to Bulletin reporter that the cargoes had arrived here because of the scarceness of our own timber. "Former- Iy" said he, 'Ohio and Indiana were covered with excellent black walnut, but the former State has been cleared off for years, and the latter finds her power of answering the de- mand greatly lessened. These States are comparatively woodless, and few very fine trees are found standing. I have seen the logs brought in by the Katie, and cannot notice any difference between them and our timber except, perhaps, they are little red der They came here from Havre, but where they were grown I cannot say. The United States still have much wood, but the imme- diately accessible supply is rapidly diminish ing We have for a long time imported the more precious woods and suppose the time cannot be far distant when other woods will be brought in. There is no duty on them, and in many places where they can be ob- tained there will often be short carg oes of other things"
 A prominent firm of importers said they were familiar with the question of foreign woods. 'There has never been 8 time, y said they, 'swhen some of this commodity was not brought in just as in Brazil to-day, covered as it is with forests from end to end, they import pine and other lumber from the United States and Canada But until lately the kinds sold here have only been of the
  them is Spanish cedar. It seems to have some qualities which American cedar does not It's use is almost entirely for cigar box es, while the Florida cedar has it's chief utili- ty in lead pencils. What is not consumed here is bought by the Fabers and other Euro pean manufacturers and taken abroad. The size of the Spanish logs is from twelve inches to three feet square, which is true also of mahogany, the next largest article of impor- tation This is very rarely used in solid shape, but is worked up in veneers, the cut ting being done in this city and elsewhere in the Union. For long time this wood defied the ordinary cabinet maker, but the machin- cry now in use is capable of saving shaving scarcely thicker than sheet of paper with the greatest of ease. Mahogany has been out of favor for number of years. but of late seems to be regaining its hold. The new methods of combining it with lighter woods relieves it of that sombreness which formerly
 
 however, when some people did not admire it and have articles of furniture made from it. Next in order to these in value I would place rosewood. This comes from Rio de Janeiro and Bahia, and is more largely used in pianos than for any ything else. Many peo- pie admire it very much. It's value depends upon the richness of it's color and upon it's figure. It is sold differently from other woods, being disposed of by the pound at prices varying from two to Geven or eight cents. The importation of mahogany in this country last year might have been about 25,- GOO logs of cedar, 35, GOO logs. and of Tose- wood, F, ,0O0 logs"
 Another importer thought we had much to gain by the introduction of more varieties of foreign woods. ssThere has grown to be too great sameness about our household fur niture and decorations Those who have watched the trade for many years can remem. Der when curled maple was the rage, and when cherry considered the proper ma terial out of which to make everythipp. Mahogany and black walnut have each had their day, although they will still continue to be used largely. The last fashion has been for French walnut red wood But there are in South America and Africa to say nothing about Asia, many trees of whose qualities we are almost entirely ignorant. and which would serve an admirable purpose in decorating our homes We still have considerable satin wood, although that Is now out of favor ebony IS of great value in affordtng contrast, and ignumvitas is used for blocks to pulleys and similar purposes A considerable quan- tity of these various kinds are imported year after year, but not as much as we ought to have considering the wealth of our people and their disposition to spend money"
 stDo the native woods of the United States compare with those we import as to beauty?n inquired the reporter.
 '.No,p was the answer 'sThe foreign woods are the hardest have the best eolor and the finest graining, and the most specific gravity. Lignumvite is so heavy it will sink in water. But we still possess an admirable