30 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



SPANISH SWAMP OAK TREE 



A Modem Electric Crane 

 A log crane to be effective must have a 

 wide range of operation, and this is not 

 always possible to obtain by a movable 

 derrick and frame. The electric crane shown 

 lierewitli has the height and range neces- 

 sary, swings iu a complete circle and being 

 operated by electricity is self contained and 

 and is controlled by the operator in the little 

 house on the mast. It is a most satisfactory 

 and effective apparatus and further is much 

 more rapid than the ordinary steam crane. 

 The Memphis Lumber Company, at whose 

 mill this crane is in operation, has reason to 

 be proud of an unusually fine log outfit at 

 its Florida street mill. 



Spanish Swamp Oak 



The early residents in the Eed river valley 

 planted the Spanish swamp oak because of 

 its thrifty growth and heavy shade, as well 

 as for its general beauty. The trunk of the 

 tree is neither large nor long, and while the 

 tree cuts very good lumber, it is more highly 

 prized for ornamental uses than for commer- 

 cial purposes. The specimen illustrated in 

 the halftone herewith grew at Alexandria, 

 La., and was a fair sized tree before the 

 present towering levee system was built. It 

 served for many years as a post to which tlip 



bow line of many a steamboat now out of 

 service was tied. 





■XAKEn INDIAN" TREE, 

 HONDURAS 



A NATIVE OV 



A FINE WEEPING WILLOW. 



A Living Line of Telephone Poles 



Down in Honduras the native timber of 

 almost any variety decays so rapidly that 

 the quick-growing species are utilized for 

 telephone and telegraph poles. A small sap- 

 ling barely sufficient to support the wire is 

 ]ilaiited and it takes root at once and in a 

 very short time grows to be a strong and 

 well -shaped tree. The tree most planted 

 for this purpose is commonly called the 

 ' ' Naked Indian, ' ' probably from its glisten- 

 ing copper color, which resembles the skin 

 of an Indian just rising from the water. 

 Tlie leafing and branching of this tree are 

 about as that in our own native persimmon. 

 The tree has other names in the native 

 dialect, but the title "Naked Indian" seems 

 til lie the most common and the most appro- 

 priate. The tree is prized medicinally. A 

 tea made from the bark is said to be an 

 effective specific for kidney disorders and 

 for fever. The fiber of the wood is soft and 

 tlie tree has an open grained core, and be- 

 yond the use as poles has little or no value 

 except for the medicinal uses mentioned. 

 The tree is one of unusual beauty, its bark 

 is sMiiuith and peels off in transparent flakes 

 ticit ;iii> ahtiost opaque, glistening in the sun 

 iivil iriikiiig a beautiful sight in the early 



ELECTRIC LOG CRANE AT MEMPHIS LUMBER CO.'S PLANT. 



AN INTERESTING AKlilAL l.ljli TRANSFER 



