Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-05-02
Big trees and Trees OF Value.

The United States boast OF the bigness as
well az the quality OF their distinguishing
features, and among the latter the big trees
occupy q conspicuous rank No great ma
tional or international exposition in this
country is complete without section OF
one of the arboreal giants of California and
Hdfpef's Heskty, current illustrates :! cross
slice, now on exhibition al New Orleans,
large enough for twenty people to dance ON
at a time without interfering with one an
other These great trees are SET 10 do Her
culean tasks, and on account of their eX-
ceedngly close grain they are Invaluable III
timbering up tunnels. Its imperyiousness
to moisture, also, makes the California red
wood valuable as shingling material and
redwood shingles are rapidly supplanting
slate and tin III the roofing Of houses Of to-
day. But large as are the trees Of the far
West, and valuable as they have been found
for certain uses, they cannot compare with
the smaller but still stately trees Of the
East and South, for finer and ornamental
purposes The woods that have been used
most extensively for furniture and fine FIN
ishings are black walnut and cherry. The
former has come 10 be worth almost It's
weight in silver on account of It's scarcity.
LARGE stretches Of forest il the West and III
the South have been secured for detached
trees, and even within y week we have
heard of q man 1t the South who took pains
to get two or three score Of black walnut
trees from the interior 10 the seab0ard and
ship them to Germany, as mahogany is
shipped from the countries to the south OF
Us. Cherry still stands in large quantities
in That section, and just now Is the wood
most in favor on account Of It's beauty and
durability There is little danger that
cherry viii 90 ont Of fashion as long as
10
But there Is another variety Of wood that
keeps it company, and is its peer for beauty
and other good qualities though as vet not
so well known in the North. II d.. Dab
news paper, read before the Natauga Club
at Raleigh, X C., which we have already
used as The basis 81 an article on industrial
training, he groups black walnut, cherry
and mountain mahogany Is the chief Orna-
mental woods OF that state which is so
surprisingly rich in the finest and most
valuable woods that grow III the United
States. II justifie5 the name OF mountain
| mahogany which ii bears there, though It's
more common name IS black blrch: 1t
grows to q great size, and the lumber from
| il is firm in fiber and susceptible Of ! beau
tiful luster, while its tint is very rich and
handsome. Lumbcrmeu have not yet
| learned ali its good qualities, but makers of
| furniture and pianos ana workers N fine
woods for room finishing are beginning to
| know il and to be very much enamored OF
! H. One Of the newest and finest libraries
in this city has been finished III mountain
mahogany, and practical appreciation viii
| doubtless follow quickly upon a knowledge
| Of lis merits. Nothing else seems 20 rich
and substantial for interiors Is the choice
woods, and the new and increasing de-
manGs for art work in this material of ma
10