270 INDUSTRIAL PLANTS 
Pine (Figs. 229-232, 258) is used more extensively than 
any other kind of wood, and finds a place in almost every 
wood-working industry. The qualities which give it this 
pre-eminence are mainly that it works easily, is never too 
hard to nail (unlike oak or hickory), is for the most part 
very durable on account of the preservative effect of the 
resin it contains, and, for the same reason, is not much sub- 
ject to the attack of insects. The several species which come 
into the market are sold either as hard or as soft pine but 
the difference is not always well marked. Soft pine (mainly 
white pine) is the principal wood used in common carpentry, 
and enormous quantities are consumed also in white cooper- 
age, cabinet work, toy-making, pattern-making, and ship- 
building; and for crates, boxes, etc. Hard pine is most ex- 
tensively used in heavy construction, especially for bridges 
and similar exposed work; and is unequaled for spars, masts, 
planks, ship-timbers, and heavy beams. It has especial 
advantages for flooring and exposed stairways on account of 
its durability. 
Larch (Fig. 259) is very like hard pine in appearance, 
qualities, and uses. For ship’s ‘“‘knees”’ (7. e., angular braces 
giving stiffness to the frame) the lower part of the tree as it 
curves naturally when growing in swamps has great advan- 
tages. Owing to its durability the trunk is valued also for 
telegraph-poles and railway-ties. 
Spruce (Fig. 260) resembles soft pine in appearance and 
qualities and is commonly put to the same uses. Being re- 
markably resonant it is preferred to all other woods for the 
sounding-boards of pianos, and the bodies of violins, guitars, 
and similar stringed instruments. 
Red cedar (Fig. 261) has just the lightness, softness, and 
even texture required for lead-pencils; and is used in very 
large quantities for that purpose, almost to the exclusion of 
other woods. It also finds a place in cabinet work and for 
cooperage; likewise for fence posts on account of its unusual 
durability in contact with soil. 
Redwood (Fig. 262) closely resembles red cedar in appear- 
ance and qualities and has many of the same uses. Its great. 
durability makes it highly valued for shingles, and its large 
