Kinds of Wood Used 33 
much more yaluable and is used to a greater degree than black 
ash, because of its greater abundance and its wonderful quali- 
ties of strength and elasticity. The automobile industry has 
made exceedingly heavy demands upon the supply of white ash, 
since its qualities make it an excellent wood for frame and 
wheel construction. The single industry which draws heavily 
upon black ash is that of basket making, to which it is adapted 
because of its ease in separating into thin layers. Other ashes 
growing in New York, but of little importance, are red ash 
(Fraxinus pennsylvanica) and green ash (Fraxinus lanceo- 
lata). Over half of the ash used by the industries in 1919 
was homegrown and a very large proportion of this was white 
ash. The ranges of black and white ash overlap throughout 
the State. In general, the white ash occupies the better- 
drained lands, and occurs sparsely in the colder swamps, 
whereas black ash grows generally in the cold swamp land and 
along water fronts. 
Three kinds of elm grow in commercial quantities within 
New York: slippery or red elm (Ulmus pubescens), white elm 
(Ulmus americana), and cork or rock elm (Ulmus racemosa). 
The second and third are by far the most important. Rock 
elm is harder and more durable than either of the other and 
is in great demand for certain parts cf vehicles, especially for 
hubs. White elm, however, is in more general use, particu- 
larly in the form of rough lumber and for the production of 
cooperage stock, vehicles, furniture, agricultural implements, 
and shipbuilding. Red elm is weaker and not generally sought 
by wood users. 
Several species of hickory are indigenous to the State, and 
their qualities are in many respects so similar that no notice 
is taken of such differences in the markets. The four species 
contributing to the New York manufacturing industries are 
shagbark hickory (Hicoria ovata), mockernut (Hvcoria 
alba), pignut (Hicoria glabra), and bitternut (Hicoria mint- 
ma). The shagbark hickory, locally known as shellbark 
hickory, is the most important species and is very important 
in many New York industries, especially for automobiles, 
2 
