io6 



FOREST COMMISSIONERS REPORT. 



it works easier and therefore is often preferred for interior 

 finish and cabinet work. The largest users of red oak are the 

 manufacturers of slack cooperage, furniture, and house finish. 

 It is also important for railroad ties, and tanbark. The 

 table shows that shipyards used large quantities in Maine, 

 and that furniture factories, toy factories, and car shops, re- 

 quired about equal amounts. 



IV kite Ash. 



TABLE 15. 



White ash is one of the common but valuable hardwoods of 

 Maine. It grows best in deep, loose, or moist soil that is well 

 drained. The wood is heavy, hard, strong and very elastic. Its 

 strength and toughness have made it exceptionally useful in the 

 manufacture of agricultural implements, vehicle parts, handles, 

 and oars ; but it is also used in common with black ash for 

 interior finish, cabinet work, furniture, and flooring. Its larg- 

 est use in Maine was for tool handles. Large amounts also 

 went into ladders, parts of boats, and canoes, and vehicle parts. 



White Oak. 



White oak trees are not common in the State of Maine, ex- 

 cept in the southern part where they are found on sandy or 

 gravell}^ soils, or on rich uplands and moist bottom lands. In 



