136 



large scale and therefore reduce the number of block factories many times 

 below the number of the last makers. Last blocks are split from bolts winter 

 cut and then rough turned to various sizes on machines usually of special 

 design. The seasoning begins after the blocks are turned. First, they are 

 air-dried about twelve months after they are placed on racks under sheds. 

 The seasoning is completed by means of dry kilns and for this a period, 

 approximately three months, is required when the block is ready to send 

 to the last maker. 



Shoe trees, to be inserted into shoes to hold the shape, are an important 

 part of this industry but none are manufactured in Pennsylvania. Formerly 

 they were made solid of wood and were expensive. The best are still so 

 made; but recently, by the introduction of a combination tree of steel bands 

 and wood blocks, it has been made possible to make them to sell at a nominal 

 cost. 



Basswood is used as exclusively for forms or fillers as is sugar maple for 

 lasts. Forms are turned similarly from rough turned blocks. They are used 

 to maintain the natural shape of the shoe in samples displayed in show cases 

 and when being handled by traveling salesmen. They fit the shoes perfectly 

 and give an effect similar to the appearance of the shoe on the foot. Fillers 

 should be light in weight to save cost in transportation in salesmen's trunks. 

 To reduce weight to the minimum many are hollowed, and basswood being 

 soft, easily worked, light, and sufficiently tough, holding its shape well, is 

 the most practical w r ood to use. The growing high cost of basswood has made 

 a demand for a suitable substitute at a lower price but as yet none has been 

 found. 



Clog or wooden soled shoes have leather tops and are used by people working 

 in wet and cold places, such as breweries, tanneries, creameries, mines, dye 

 works, fish canneries, slaughter houses, paper mills, also in foundries 

 and metal works, and by others who desire a very durable shoe at a reason- 

 able price. High grades of yellow poplar and basswood are the materials de- 

 manded for clog soles in Pennsylvania, but in Illinois, Michigan, and Ken- 

 tucky, beech, maple, and basswood in the order named contributed the 

 material. 



Table 89. Wood for Boot and Shoe Findings, year ending June, 1912. 



