9 



Hardwood. 



Hardwood is the term usually applied to beech, birch and 

 maple lumber. They are often sold without any distinction 

 between species, or may be sold separately. There has always 

 been a wide, but somewhat specialized, difficult and low-priced 

 market for these species. The war has resulted in higher prices 

 and increased demand. It can now be said that it pays to 

 saw all hardwood of good size and quality. Chairs and furni- 

 ture still make the chief outlet, sawed 1J, If, If and 2f inches. 

 Birch has always been in fine demand for bobbins, shuttles 

 and spools. Hardwoods are used in all kinds of machinery 

 specialties, tools, toys, pails, etc. The new market is for rail- 

 road ties. These ties will be shipped to roads having creosoting 

 plants. It is doubtful whether the price is high enough to pay 

 an operator to cut beech ties unless he has a short haul and 

 low operating costs. The price for hardwood lumber ranges 

 from $28 to $40 delivered. Square edge and especially selected 

 lumber might easily bring a higher price. No poor grade hard- 

 wood should be sawed, but put into cordwood. 



Ash. 



Ash is being used in airplane manufacture. For that purpose 

 only very select material is taken, and the price is high. For 

 wagons, sporting goods, agricultural implements and baskets 

 there is a strong demand. Two and one-eighth inches is the 

 standard thickness of ash, with some 2j and 3 inches. The 

 basket makers use lj and l inches also. The market for 1- 

 inch ash is difficult. 



Miscellaneous. 



Poplar can be sawed as box boards and peeled for pulp or 

 used for baskets (sawed \ inch). Basswood can be sold 

 for box-boards or pulp also. It has a very good market sawed 

 2J inches for certain special manufacturers. Butternut and 

 black ash can be sold as box boards. Hickory is very difficult 

 of sale here in Massachusetts. Tupelo (or "hornbeam") can 

 be sold in the log for rolls. Elm can be sold for ship building 



