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 ciualities 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 

 wdiite i^ine) is the principal wood used in conmion carpentry-, 

 and enormous quantities are consumed also in white cooper- 

 age, cabinet work, to3'-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" {i. 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 



