400 APPLIED SCIENCE 



patterns and varied colorings. Fine-grained woods, such as 

 white oak, are capable of taking a high polish and when 

 finished in this way produce a beautiful luster. 



446. Cutting Boards and Planks. Planks may be cut in 

 four ways: (1) along the grain, (2) across the grain, (3) 

 square to the grain, and (4) oblique to the grain. The easiest 

 cut is along the grain, as the wood fibers are then removed 

 easily and smoothly as the cutting edge passes over the sur- 

 face. When a cutting edge moves across or at right angles 

 to the grain, it tears out a mass of fibers, and splinters the 

 surface badly. If the cutting edge is held vertically and 

 drawn square across the fiber lengths of the board, the fibers 

 on the surface are snapped apart. When lumber is sawed 

 in this way it is called "cutting square to the grain." A 

 sharp cutting edge is necessary to perform this cut effectively 

 as considerable force must be applied and very fine cuts made. 



"Oblique to the grain" refers to an angular cut and is a 

 combination of "along the grain" and "across the grain" 

 cuts. Such a cut is made when it is necessary to protect the 

 ends of the fibers. 



Before using a cutting tool, it is advisable to examine the 

 wood to see the way the grain runs so that the tool may be 

 moved in the direction to give the best results. The proper 

 direction may be determined by an examination of the grain 

 on the adjacent side of the surface. 



447. Seasoning of Lumber. Since between 20 and 60% 

 of the weight of freshly cut lumber is due to moisture, practi- 

 cally all wood, before being put to use, is either seasoned in 

 the air or dried in a kiln. Some lumber is subjected to both 

 processes. The main objects of seasoning are : (1) to increase 



