CHAPTER I: THE USES OF WOOD 



" It is certain and demonstrable that all arts and artisans whatsoever must 

 fail and cease, if there were no timber and wood in a nation (for he that shall take 

 his pen, and begin to set down what art, mystery, or trade belonging any way to 

 human life, could be maintained and exercised without wood, will quickly find 

 that I speak no paradox). . . . We had better be without gold than without 

 timber." John Evelyn. 



This is the age of steel. Yet it is not to be expected that 

 metal will take the place of wood much more than now. Although 

 steel frames have replaced timbers in ships, bridges and many- 

 storied buildings, the demand for wood in the bulk of the world's 

 industries grows stronger and prices are rising. The fires of 

 factory, mill and household in this country are more than half 

 of them fed to-day with wood. Q)al (a fossil wood), oil and gas, 

 happily come in to check the too rapid consumption of our forests 

 for fuel. 



Trees grow, therefore wood is cheaper than metals. It is 

 easily worked with tools into desired shapes and sizes. It is 

 held securely by nails and by glue. It is practically permanent 

 when protected by paint; under water or in the ground it outlasts 

 metal. Its strength and lightness adapt it to varied uses. Its 

 lightness makes it easy to handle. It preserves the flavour of 

 wines as no other material can do. It is a non-conductor of 

 heat and electricity. Many woods are marked by patterns of 

 infinite variety and beauty, whose very irregularities constitute 

 an abiding charm. To this is added a fine blending of colours 

 and a lustre when polished that give woods a place in the decorative 

 arts that can be taken by no other substance. 



Precious woods, worth their weight in gold, are not unknown 

 to-day. A wagonload of satinwood worth $75,000 was delivered 

 to an English furniture manufactory recently. It was cut for 

 veneer work, sixteen thin sheets to the inch. The price paid 

 per square foot was one pound sterling. Peacocks' feathers, 

 arabesques, and wonderful mythological beasts are revealed by 

 the saw that cuts through the gnarled butts of maple, birch and 



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