HARDWOOD RECORD 



the making of the legs, while a special ma- 

 chine finishes the panels, bevel, mill-work and 

 all. When the innumerable shapes which the 

 various parts of the different tables are 

 considered, some idea may be obtained of the 

 number of machines employeil and the vary- 

 ing uses to which they are put. 



Another important part of this cabinet 

 work is of course the veneering. The woods 



One large machine — a host in itself — has 

 larious grades of sandpaper in the form of 

 revolving bands and here an entire table top 

 can be completely sandpapered in a very short 



Xow comes the varnishing. This is an 

 important part of the operation and often 

 several floors of a factory are devoted almost 

 exclusively to this, and to the assembling of 



EXTENSION DINING TABLE— ORIGINAL IIESIGN— UOIBLE TGI'. 



used are principally mahogany and quartered 

 oak. The veneer is glued on to the core and 

 is carefully clamped while drying. Mahogany 

 veneering is somewhat expensive but exquisite 

 effects are produced and so it is well worth 

 the cost. 



The next stage in the development of the 

 table is one in which there has been more im- 

 provement in the last few years than in all 

 the other processes put together. This is the 

 sandpapering. There are now in use revolv- 

 ing sandpaper cylinders of both hard and soft 

 types, the latter having the property of ad- 

 justing themselves to whatever shape the 

 piece to be sandpapered happens to be. There 

 are also machines for sandpapering the rough 

 boards just after they have passed through 

 the planer, and others to add a finishing 

 touch after the shape and size is couipleto. 



the parts. The varnish and shellac are ap 

 plied in several different coats, due time be- 

 ing allowed for each to dry. The gloss is 

 usually taken off, for the old-fashioned dark 

 Mission finish is coming more and more into 

 use. In fact by far the larger number of 

 tables now used are of this type. 



In the finaJ assembling other m.aterials be- 

 sides woods are used. The trimmings if any 

 are usually of brass, while feet mounted on 

 glass spheres — a design much u.sed — are often 

 of the same material. The table, however, 

 illustrates admirably one of the important 

 uses to which hardwoods may be put. Some 

 idea of the various styles now on the market 

 may be obtained from the accompanying 

 cuts, which were kindly loaned the Record 

 by Louis F. Xonnast, a well-known Chicago 

 manufacturer. Ci.arexce Boyle. Jr. 



Possibilities of the Ohio 

 Valley Woodlot. 



I''or over forty years the Ohio Valley was 

 the very tenter of the hardwood industry, but 

 little now remains of the original forest but 

 detached, irregular woodlots or woods pas- 

 tures, usually in poor condition. The custom 

 has been to cut trees for special uses from 

 time to time, leaving inferior trees in posses- 

 sion of the ground. As a result woodlots once 

 thrifty and promising have degenerated into 

 stands of crooked, defective and otherwise un- 

 desirable trees. Most woodlots are used for 

 pasturage and the ground has become covered 

 with dense bluegrass sod. A heavy growth 

 of grass not only tends to prevent the repro- 

 duction of valuable trees, but also robs the 



soil of moisture and smothers the roots of 

 trees left growing. The demands of the peo- 

 ple arc largely supplie<l from outside and 

 before long the exhaustion of forests in the 

 neighboring districts will cut off the supply 

 which now tends to conceal the actual local 

 shortage. In 1899 Ohio, Indiana and Illinois 

 produced twenty-five per cent of the hardwood 

 used in the United States, but should they 

 adopt the most careful ref orestry methods 

 they can never regain that standing. There 

 is, however, sufficient waste land in the Ohio 

 region adapted to forest growth if properly 

 employed, to provide an adequate and per- 

 petual supply of timber for local uses and 



prevent the loss of many important indus- 

 tries. 



The above review of conditions in the Ohio 

 valley is contained ii;. a recent pamphlet of 

 the Forest Service, and is followed with many 

 valuable suggestions for farmers and timber 

 growers, which are herewith excerpted for the 

 benefit of the readers of the Record. 



A farm with a good woodlot properly man- 

 aged should supply the farmer with posts, 

 fuel, building material and some timber for 

 market. Every farm should be provided with 

 protection from winds and shade for fatten- 

 ing animals, when the weather is very hot. 

 A belt of forest trees will greatly reduce the 

 danger of late frosts to the orchard. The 

 woodlot should occupy the waste land not 

 suitable for farm crops — at least one-eighth 

 of the farm if possible. Forest growth on 

 steep slopes and river banks protects them 

 from erosion by heavy rains and freshets. 

 On a farm without waste land the woodlot 

 should be so located as to afford the best pro- 

 tection along the windward side and around 

 the buildings. Such tracts add materially to 

 the appearance and value of the farm. 



The first requirement of a woodlot is pro- 

 tection from grazing. The young sprouts and 

 trees make it imperative to exclude stock 

 from plantations and open stands where re- 

 production is desired. Hill sides and drift- 

 ing sands are most liable to injury and even 

 light grazing of such areas should not be per- 

 mitted. Constant care should also be taken 

 to keep out fire. It is poor policy to burn 

 off leaves to improve grazing, as grass in a 

 forest indicates an unhealthy condition, and 

 the destruction of the leaf litter and humus 

 impoverishes the soil and retards tree growth, 

 while young sprouts and seedlings, upon which 

 the future of the woodlot depends, are de- 

 stroyed or stunted. It is not a single fire 

 which causes the greatest loss, but the com- 

 bined effects of many fires, until the trees 

 are either burned through or so weakened 

 that they are thrown easily by the wind. 

 Sc.-iis :ils., :iir..r(l openings for insects, which 

 .li-ri. iv till' till' :ind infect others. If a rail- 

 ri);iil jia-^sis tliniugh the forest or near it the 

 light of way should be kept free from all 

 inflammable material. 



A fault with nearly all woodlots is the ab- 

 sence of a dense border as a protection from 

 winds. WKen the forest is suddenly opened 

 the inside trees are not sufficiently stable to 

 withstand the removal of the natural wind- 

 break which has been formed, and many are 

 blown down, especially where the soil is wet 

 and the trees have a shallow root system. A 

 strip a few rods wide along the exposed mar- 

 gins of the woods should be kept as dense as 

 possible. Bushes and undergrowth should be 

 encouraged and no trees removed from the 

 strip. Where' such a windbreak is maintained 

 it will be possible to make thinnings to the 

 leeward with little danger of the remaining 

 frees being blown down. If a windbreak is 

 planted, it is usually best to employ two s[ip- 

 cies, one of which is a rapid grower to afford 

 early protection. Carolina poplar ami hardy 

 catalpa are excellent for this purpose. 



