MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 479 



almost no end to the uses of our oaks. Oaks, white and red are still very 

 abundant in the State. 



Pines: Of these we grow three. Jack or scrub pine does not scale very 

 high in size or quality; nor does it cut much of a figure in the commercial 

 world, but when you need timber long, straight, elastic, rather heavy and 

 very pretty, call for red or Norway pine. It is first class for ceiling, floors, 

 piles, timber and joists for bridges. 



The world knows and appreciates Michigan white pine for the markets 

 have been supplied with it for half a century or more. The mechanic 

 who runs the plane and handsaw and drives the nails, likes nothing so well 

 as cork pine and have it he will, even at high price. Cork pine is simply 

 an old white pine. 



Poplars in our state are the aspen, large toothed aspen, downy, balsam, 

 and the cottonwoods, five in number. The wood of the first two has, con- 

 trary to what might have been predicted twenty years ago, been much 

 sought, of late, for making paper. 



Of spruces we have the white and black, both good for making paper 

 and for lumber. In former years they supplied the schools with gum, but 

 numerous imitations have driven most of the genuine article from the 

 market. 



Sycamore in early days was supposed to be good for little excepting 

 coon trees, the hollow ones for smokehouses or the timber for second class 

 firewood. It warps badly, but for small strips cut with the silver grain it 

 is very pretty and is used for school-room furniture and ceiling mouldings. 



Black walnut probably is the royal tree of Michigan, alas now too 

 scarce. It has for a century or more been the standard of excellence for 

 furniture. We are economizing now, employing it in veneers and strips, 

 or by using other woods in its jjlace. I have known large, fine trees to be 

 cut for the crotches, which were sawed into veneers, while most of the 

 logs were used for common lumber, with which to floor the garret or make 

 hog pens. 



White wood has always ranked high as a timber for the saw mill, ever 

 since the State was settled. "Clear stuff" was a favorite for barn boards, 

 frames for large buildings, ships, clapboards, doors, sash, floors, wagon 

 boxes, drawers, boxes. 



Willows one, two, three or more have attracted much attention for their 

 timber. Before base ball players used such solid and heavy balls, second 

 growth willow made good ball clubs, but now nothing will do but the best 

 white ash. 



Tamarack from the swamps, tall and straight and slim, makes excellent 

 poles for politicians, on which to float the party flag. A good deal has 

 been used for corduroy roads, rails, rafters, posts, pickets for fences, fire 

 wood, roof boards, etc. 



Above I have given a popular account of our commercial woods. How 

 long they will last depends upon how carefully the supply is husbanded, 

 the number of severe forest fires, or the amounts rolled into log heaps and 

 burned to get rid of them. Those wanting lumber from our forests can 

 find it for some time to come, and they need not fear to call for it. This 

 will make our people value their timber more than ever and tend to 

 economy and the preservation of groves of young stuff in out of the way 

 places. There are other kinds of native trees in Michigan. Chestnut! 

 Did I hear a call for chestnut lumber? We advise you to use pine or oak. 



