Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1889-02-01
CRAZES IN EURNITURt.


The Woods Most Extensively Employed at
the Present Time.
There are many crazes in the furni-
ture business in respect to the differ
ent woods and their limitations, which
are extensively used. For many years
walnut was a wood that held absolute
predominance over all other woods
for furniture. But while other woods
have become very popular, and walnut
Is apparently on the decline, yet,
really. walnut will always be fash
ionable wood. The price will gradu-
ally 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 to-day sold for high
prices. Even the small limbs of wal
nut trees are now sawed up into
material for rungs and posts of parlor
chairs. The old snarled limbs and
knots of the walnut trees are sought
after with ayidity by buyers through
the country districts. who sell them to
firms that manufacture 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
variety Of woods that are used in the
manufacture of furniture, maple, ash,
popular, gum and cherry comprise
the list. What is known as quarter
oak is the latest craze. Quarter-oak
is made by first saving log from end
to end through the middle. Then each
half is sawed from end to
end through the middle, thus leav-
ing four quarters. Each quarter has
only three sides, one the bulge part of
the log, and the other two sides being
flat, 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. This cross-grained
lumber is worked" into the finest
parlor furniture at present. The wood
is susceptible of very fine 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
experienced grainer. But one of the
prominent features still in the furni-
ture business is the staining of woods
There are tricks in all trades, and this
is the greatest one in the furniture
manufactures. A very simple prep
aration composed of coal oil and lamp
black is rubbed into the highly pol
ished surface of oak, and when it
soaks into the pores of the wood, the
wood then takes on dark hue. The
varnish is then applied, which gives
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
very pretty grain that stands out
prominently under color, and it can be
stained to initiate red cherry. Syca-
more is a wood largely used for bed
posts, and it stains nicely in imitation
of walnut. Louis Globe Democrat.