The age-herald., 1902-02-23
Woods Both Rare and Costly,

In the lumber yards fronting on the East river, between Fifth and Tenth streets. there lie piled up in rough; un- symmetrical heaps large numbers of coarsely hewn dirty logs. An ignorant observer might take these to be supplies for kindling wood factory and cer- tainly would be surprised to learn that the dirty sticks of timber are the most valuable wood in the world in their rough form. for that is what they are.
 There is mahogany there, and quan- tity of 1t: ebony, Black Sea walnut and costly snakewood, but it all lies there seemingly unguarded and beaten by the weather as though it were the cheapest sort of white pine.
 "It doesn't look very valuable does it?' said the manager of one of the companies which sell much of the costly timber; but that is the wood that some day will be worked over, polished and made into the most beautiful woodwork that money can buy.
 That one big log that those workmen are carrying is worth 5000, and l have seen a log of mahogany only little larger than that which was sold for 5000 It was 2s feet long and feet thick, and was the finest piece of the wood that I have ever seen
 Pretty good price for a single stick, isn't 1t? It was a perfectly sound log though, and its coloring and markings were remarkable That is why it brought such a high price.
 "Mahognay is like diamonds" he con- dnl- iC q termined by its marking and freedom from flaws. When the logs are sold in the rough, as you see them here, there Is big element of chance in their purchase.
 "The expert can judge them only by outward appearances and must be able to tell by the general look of the logs whether they are sound and whether the marking which shows on the outside is ant to continue through the piece. After a good deal of experience one is able to size up a piece of timber pretty correctly but we are all fooled once in while, and that is one of the uncertainties of the business.
 Some one once said that mahogany was the king of woods and he was not far wrong It is certainly the most durable on account of it's hardness and the pol ish that it takes gives 1t right to the title. It isn't what it used to be. though.
 
 wood was designated as San Domingo, from the place in which 1t grew. It was the best that was ever cut and attained a great reputation, but it is alm ost inn possible to get now. The choice wood is all gone and there is not enough to be had now to supply one-hundredth part of the demand for it.
 Its texture was the very finest and the coloring superior to any other. We still get the wood from San Domingo. but it is all second growth, smaller than the old mahogany and much inferior to it.
 Mahogany from Central America was sold in large quantities here years ago also. but it was found to be soft and straight grained and now it has practi- cally stopped coming to this market. Nowadays we get the wood from Cuba and Mexico.
 "The Cuban product comes in small sizes but is of good texture and hard. It is from Mexico, though, that the great markets of the world are now supplied, not only with the best mahogany but also with much that is soft though much better than the old South American pro- | duct.
 Many people have the idea that there | is no more good mahogany and that all | that is cut now is soft. This assertion is | the outcome of individual experience in | procuring good or poor wood; those who 1 have received the best grades pronounce l the Mexican wood hard and beautiful in | texture.
 An impression also exists that ma hogany is expensive and only to be in- dulged in by few. That is untrue. The