The Washington herald., 1909-06-13

The lumber industry Of the country has
been provided with much valuable infor-
nation by the investigations which have
been made through the scientific study
Of many species Of trees, against the use
OF which there has been a prejudice for
one reason or other. and from an eco
nomie standpoint this is one Of the most
important phases Of the forest work Of
the government
The latest discoveries OF valuable quail
ties in a former neglected species
resulted after an investigation Of tie
red gum. sometimes commercially called
satin walnut" which finds its home in
the hardwood bottom lands and drier
swamps Of the South. IN mixture with
ash, cottonwood, and oak. This tree is
one Of the commonest timber trees Of the
South. reaching its hest development IN
the deep. rich soil Of the bottoms. where
IL often attains height OF 80 feet and
a diameter Of feet.
Common, Hence Cheap.
Were red gum imported from distance
and obtaiuable only at a high price. it
probably would be used extensively in the
manufacture OF furniture. cabinet work,
and interior finishing. but being a native
wood. and low in price. Il has been dis
criminated against Gradually this objec-
tion is being done away with, and the
demand for red gum has increased
rapidly IN the past few years.
The best grades OF red gum. clear heart.
find a market almost exclusively IN the
export trade. though small amount is
used IN the United States for inside
finishing. Practically 3 per cent OF the
clear heart gum lumber cut in this coun-
try Is exported for use in England.
France. and Germany. for the manufac-
ture Of furniture. inside trimmings, newell
posts. and stair railings. The commouer
grades OF red gum are used in the United
States for cheap furniture. desks. the
better grades OF boxes. and a number OF
novelties. The poorest grade goes into
boxes, barrels. and other articles for
which short. narrow boards can be used.
The inner portion Of the hearts Of the
trees, which are OF little value for boards
on account Of shakes and other defects.
are usually sawed into two by four 10
two by twelve. and sometimes six by six
and six by eight inch building timbers
These timbers have small values IN the
large markets. but near the mills the
local trade exhausts the supply.
Useful 90 Make Barrels.
For the manufacture OF slack barrels
red gum is one OF the most important
woods in the country. ranking second 20
elm. both as q stave and a heading wood
Up 10 the year 1900, elm and a little
cottonwood were used for this purpose.
but with the advance in price Of these
woods a substitute had TO be found. and
red gum. owing 70 its cheapness. was
experimental with and found quite salts
factory.
The chief objection 20 red gum is its
strong tendency TO warp and twist. This
can be entirely overcome by proper han
ding. Were the lumber OF high price
this difficulty would have been considered
and overcome long ago. and the wood
used. but on account Of its abundance
and cheapness, very few operators have
turned their attention 70 solving the prob
lem.
Care I'm Handling Product.
The preparation OF red gum lumber for
any purpose should begin when the tree
is felied. To guard against staining and
warping. it Is handled IN much the same
way as other woods, but with the i'm
portant difference that the piles are mar
rover. so that the afr may circulate
freely, and thus prevent fermentation Of
the sap. and that the cross sticks must
be placed close together. It has also
been found we'll 10 place heavy weights
on the cars OF red gum when they are
sent 10 the kiln.
Every manufacturer or high grade fur
niture and trimmings knows. that 70 Sc
cure the best possible results. the material
must be redried when Il reaches the far
tory. Some large users OF red gum repile
the stock after II has been carried a
while, and bulk Il down with cross sticks
every FIVE or six layers, so as 10 straight
en- out whatever twist there may be IN
the boards.
This assures the elimination Of twisting
and warping. 1t can be handled IN this
way 10 much better advantage than
where an effort Is made TO straighten il
out by force. when cutting up the stool.
and preparing II for use; for. when the
pressure is applied gradually there Is no
loss by reason OF breakage or splitting
After having been dried and tempered
In the air and then redried. II usually
loses nearly all OF It's warping tendency.
The cost OF handling lunnoer in this man
ner IS not great, and the good results
secured thereby more thar pay for what
ever outlay there may be
Re-enforce Wide Spaces.
A plan which many furniture manu-
facturers have followed TO good advan-
tage, and employed where red gum. oak.
mahogany, or other woods are used is
10 design the article IL such a manner
that the wide pieces may be re-enforced.
and thus prevent any warping or other
defects showing up Instances have been