Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-26
WOODS FOR FURNITURE.
Value Of Waluue-Preparation of GUAR
ter Oak''-Staining.

Value Of Walnut-Preparation Of GUAR
ter Oak"-Staining.
There are many crazes in the furniture
business In respect to the different woods and
their limitations, which are extensively used
For many years walnut was wood that held
absolute predominance over all other woods
for furniture But while other woods have
become very popular, and walnut is appar-
entity on the decline, yet, really, walnut will
always be a fashionable wood. The price
will gradually increase, for the large demand
is fast consuming the supply. In many states
fifteen years ago the farms were inclosed
with walnut rail fences, as the wood was not
SO valuable In those days. But in these states
where walnut grows, the lumber that would
have been formerly cast aside with the
''culls' is today sold for high prices. Even
the small limbs of walnut trees are now
sawed up into materials for rungs and posts
of parlor chairs. The old snarled limbs and
knots of the walnut trees are sought after
with avidity by buyers through the country
districts, who sell them to firms that manu-
facture them into ornaments for antique
shelves, fancy hassocks and other similar
furniture. Rail fences in these districts are
now a rarity in the extreme
But as to the various woods that are used
in the manufacture of furniture, maple, ash,
poplar, gum and cherry comprise the list.
What is known as quarter oak is the latest
craze. Quarter oak is made by first saving
O. log from end to end through the mid
die. Then each half is sawed from
end to end through the middle, thus
leaving four quarters. Each quarter
has only three sides, one the bulge part Of
the log, and the other two sides being fat
and coming to a sharp edge. The boards are
sawed off the sharp edge, and each saving,
therefore, throws off board wider than the
one before it. Saving the quarters Of the
log In this manner the lumber is beautifully
cross grained. The cross grained lumber is
worked" into the finest parlor furniture at
present. The wood is susceptible of a very
fire polish, and the cross grain produces an
effect, made by both nature and the saw,
that is far superior to the art of the most ex-
perienced grainer.
But one of the prominent features still in
the furniture business is the staining of
wood. There are tricks in all trades, and
this is the greatest one in the furniture man
ufactories. A very simple preparation, COM
posed Of crude oil and lampblack, is rubbed
on the highly polished surface Of oak, and
when it soaks into the pores Of the wood the
wood then takes on q dark hue. The varnjsh
is then applied, which gives a neat finish to
the wood, and this is then fair imitation of
antique oak. The common gum is often
stained to represent cherry. Cherry itself is
very valuable, and Is left in its own natural
color, although it is sometimes stained to
represent rosewood. Soft maple, poplar and
gum are stained with preparations Of burnt
lumber, crude oil and lampblack, to produce
an imitation of mahogany. Ash has a very
pretty grain that stands out prominently
under color, and it can be stained to initiate
red cherry. Sycamore is wood largely
used for bed posts, and it stains nicely in
imitation of walnut.-W. L. Mitchell in
Globe-Democrat.