HARDWOOD RECORD 



41 



monly cut than tbc others as to represent the genus among the mer- 

 chantable timber of the lower Mississippi valley. The common water 

 ash is cut probably more than any of the others, and with it are 

 manufactured a fair percentage of black ash and in some sections 

 a smaller percentage of the common wMte ash. The characteristich 

 of the ash species in general are such as to scarcely warrant com- 

 parison, the principal difference lying in the leaflets and the winged 

 eeeds, some being slender and narrow pointed, while others are 

 rounded. The conditions of growth and the physical appearance of 

 the trees in general are very similar, the growth usually being clean 

 for a considerable height, and slender and tough. The great supple- 

 ness of ash is commonly recognized, this quality being especially evi 

 dent in second growth timber. 



As to the physical qualities of the wood, what can be said of one 

 is equally true of the other species marketed in that section. Its 

 thick sapwood, bread rings and fine pores give it an unsurpa-ssed 

 toughness and elasticity, owing to which it is utilized in ways for 

 which no other wood is so well adapted, and which require, primarily, 

 these qualities. Large quantities are consumed in the manufacture 

 of agricultural implements, tool handles, wagons and carriages, oars, 

 furniture and interior finish. Some of the varieties are more es- 

 pecially adapted to such uses as the manufacture of barrel hoops 

 and baskets and for fence rails, being more easily split than others. 

 The medullary rays are extremely fine and very little of the wood 

 is quarter-sawed. The weight per cubic foot is about thirty-eight to 

 forty pounds. 



The Hickories 



Pecan, swamp hickory, water hickory and common white hickory 

 form the principal cut of this species along the lower Mississippi, 

 where it attains considerable importance and is widely distributed 

 to the consuming centers. Hicoria pecan possesses a heavy, hard. 

 brittle, coarse-grained wood, which does not possess unusual strength, 

 and while occasionally used in the manufacture of wagons, is of less 

 value than most of the species. The water hickory, Hicoria aquatica, 

 a tree standing eighty to a hundred feet in height, and often two 

 feet in diameter, possesses wood of greater strength and weight and 

 close grain. Though of superior physical quality, the size of the 

 timber is not sufBeient to give it an important place, and it is mar- 

 keted in connection with the more abundant species. The common 

 big-bud hickory, Hicoria alba, is probably the most important and 

 widely cut of any of this important genus, attaining its largest size 

 in Missouri and Arkansas. Its familiar qualities of wood require 

 no detailed enumeration. The close grain and toughness, combined 

 with the strength, hardness and weight, readily suit it for extensive 

 application in the manufacture of agricultural implements, carriage 

 and wagons, handles and baskets. The average growth of the various 

 species, while not of large dimensions, is always clear and straight 

 and furnishes excellent saw logs, cutting to a good percentage of 

 high-grade lumber. 



Cypress 



The common cypress of commerce is botanically known as 

 Taxodium distichum, though there are several other varieties which 

 are marketed without any distinction as to botanical characteristics. 

 The cypress is a large deciduous tree found in the swampy lands 

 in the coastal and river regions of the southern United States. It 

 grows characteristically in what appears to be most adverse condi- 

 tions, and, owing to the unstability of the .soil, starts from a widely 

 buttressed trunk and reaches far into the air with a clear tapering 

 bole, running several log lengths without a limb. The peculiar 

 cypress knees, which are always a characteristic of the cypress swamp, 

 are probably a provision of nature for the more adequate aeration 

 of the roots, which are constantly submerged in water. The trees 

 often reach one hundred and fifty feet or more in height and twelve 

 to fifteen feet in diameter. They produce a wood beautiful in color 

 and figure, yellow or yellowish-brown. Its great durability in almost 

 all situations and its apparent immunity from the influence of the 

 fungi, its soft, close grain and the ease with which it is worked have 



TiPE OF COTTONWOOD Gi:OV\'Tn OF ME.MPIIIS DISTRICT 



