77 



Thirty-two kinds of wood are used by the vehicle industry. That so many 

 kinds are required is surprising, but this can probably be accounted for 

 by the search being made for substitutes which has brought species heretofore 

 little used into this industry for experimentation. For instance, elm was 

 formerly the chief hub wood, but now birch has proved practical and large 

 quantities are consumed by the hub makers. Yellow locust and black gum 

 are also extensively used. Hickory was the principal spoke wood but now 

 vast amounts of white and red oak are demanded; while yellow poplar does 

 better than any other wood for bodies, large quantities of cottonwood and red 

 gum are taking its place and some manufacturers prefer these because they 

 do not split so easily and are susceptible of taking a higher polish. White 

 ash is chiefly used at the present time for vehicle bows but it is not so well 

 adapted to this use as hickory , white oak , or cork elm. 



Hickory is the premier wood in vehicle making and white oak the next. The 

 use of both of these is confined mainly to the production of gear parts. In 

 the manufacture of heavy wagons , which is one of the most important divisions 

 of this industry in Pennsylvania, white oak and red oak, the latter to a 

 much less extent, are in the greatest demand. Yellow poplar, which comes 

 third in the list, indicates the high grades of vehicle made in the State, as 

 only the high priced carriages, delivery wagons, and automobiles can af- 

 ford this wood on account of its cost. In the manufacture of automobile 

 bodies and to a small extent for horse drawn vehicles metal has proved a 

 formidable competitor of wood, but the fact that it is used for cheaper grades 

 indicates that the use of wood gives better results. Next to yellow poplar, 

 ash entered into body construction more than any other wood and in some 

 states in which studies similar to this have been made the quantity used in 

 this line exceeds that of yellow poplar. In Pennsylvania ash stands fourth. 

 All of the rich cabinet woods reported were employed by the automobile 

 body makers. 



Table 52. Wood for Vehicles and Vehicle Parts, year ending June, 1912. 



