January 25. 1919 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



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The distinction between farm tools and agricultural im- 

 plements is not always clear. Some people consider a tool 

 is an appliance operated by hand power, as a hoe, scythe, fork, 

 flail, while an implement is worked by draft animals or a 

 tractor, like a plow, mowing machine, harrow, or reaper. It 

 is not always easy to say which is which, as in the case of a 

 fanning mill run with a crank, or a hand-operated cornsheller 

 or cider mill. 



The difference is not important so far as the wood is con- 

 cerned of which the tools and implements are made. The 

 same wood goes into both. Yet, certain woods are preferred 

 for particular uses. By pretty common practice, handles for 

 hoes, shovels and rakes are of ash. This wood meets require- 

 ments well. It is strong, stiff, and of medium lightness. It 

 has plenty of spring for long and slender fork handles, and is 

 stiff enough for shovel handles, which are not expected to 

 bend much. The wood takes a sufficiently smooth polish to 

 fit it for use in the bare hands. It resists decay well and seldom 

 deteriorates after long service as handles in rain and sun. The 

 annual use of this wood for handles in the United States 

 exceeds 60,000,000 feet. All of it does not go into handles 

 of farm tools, but most of it is put to that use. Hickory is the 

 only wood in this country employed in greater quantities than 

 ash, and hickory goes chiefly to tools other than those for 

 farms. So, ash is the leading wood for farm tool handles. 



Fourteen species of ash, some authorities count fifteen, 

 grow in the United States, and the wood of all of them is good 

 for tool handles; but white ash is the most abundant of them 

 all and leads all others in quality. It is highly developed and 

 abundant in the lower Mississippi valley. 



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