WOOD-USING INDUSTRIES OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 13 



In other parts of the country it is of great importance as a veneer 

 wood, but very little of this product is made in South Carolina. 

 For many years after the valuable qualities of this wood had 

 become known, its use was much hampered by seasoning diffi- 

 culties; but these haye now been largely overcome, and red gum 

 has taken its place among the valuable timbers of this country. 

 A large market for it exists in Europe where it is known as 

 satin walnut, hazel, or hazel pine. There is no reason for call- 

 ing it a pine, but it is closely related botanically to witch hazel. 

 It is not even in the same family with black gum or tupelo. The 

 wood is frequently finished in successful imitaton of Circassian 

 walnut. 



YELLOW POPLAR 



This wood was reported in ten of the fourteen industries in 

 South Carolina and most of that used was grown in the State. 

 It is found principally in the Piedmont region and is cut to some 

 extent on the better drained situations of the coastal region. It 

 was reported in greatest amounts by the planing mill operators, 

 the casket and coffin makers, and the furniture manufacturers. 

 On account of its fine qualities, ease of working, and affinity 

 for paint, it is a desirable wood for use where great strength is 

 not the prime requisite. Magnolia which is found in the coastal 

 region to a small extent is thrown in with yellow poplar on the 

 market. In every part of the country where poplar grows, and 

 far outside of its commercial range, it is a wood of first impor- 

 tance. In smoothness of finish many regard it as the finest 

 wood produced by American forests. It is not important as a 

 timber tree except in the eastern part of the United States. 



BLACK GUM 



According to available statistics, more black gum is manufac- 

 tured into finished products in South Carolina than in any other 

 State except Virginia. It is a wood very difficult to season, nor 

 is it easy to work, and its refractory properties long barred it 

 from extensive use for manufacturing purposes. Better success 

 attends modern methods, and black gum is no longer looked upon 

 as a nuisance on the land. The appearance of the wood is 

 severely plain, nor it is strong, elastic, or durable when placed in 

 damp situations. It is closely related to the dogwood, but 



