BOXES AND BOX SHOOKS 249 



Low grades of lumber are generally used for the manufacture of boxes 

 because of their cheapness and because the defects, such as knots, can 

 be readily cut out as in the use of shop grades of lumber for sash and 

 doors, etc. 



Within recent years certain forms of veneers have been used in the 

 manufacture of boxes, but the total percentage does not constitute more 

 than 5 to 10 per cent of the total amount of wood used by the industry. 



QUALITIES DESIRED IN WOODS USED FOR BOXES 



The qualities desired in woods used for boxes may be summarized as 

 follows: 



1. Lightness in weight. This is exceedingly important, because 

 practically all boxes are used for the shipment of commodities and the 

 question of weights is vital. Many varieties of woods, although avail- 

 able, are not used extensively because their weight prohibits their use. 



2. Strength is of importance, but it has been determined that the use 

 of more nails and strapping will greatly strengthen a box made of com- 

 paratively weak wood. Where great strength is required, as in the 

 shipment of iron and steel products and other heavy commodities, hard- 

 woods are employed. 



3. Nail-holding power is obviously of considerable importance. 



4. A smooth and attractive surface, preferably light in color, should 

 be offered for printing and labeling. 



5. Softness and workability are desirable qualities which are some- 

 times of determining influence hi choosing the character of woods used 

 for box purposes.. 



6. Sanitary qualities (odorless, tasteless, etc.) are needed for many 

 food boxes. 



The pines, especially white pine, Norway pine, Idaho white pine, 

 western yellow pine (western soft pine, California white pine), California 

 sugar pine, shortleaf, 1 and North Carolina pine, meet the above require- 

 ments to the best advantage. Other woods of light weight and of work- 

 able qualities which possess the other properties are red gum, spruce, 

 cottonwood, hemlock and yellow poplar. 



1 Including the Arkansas and Gulf States short leaf pine (Finns echinatd). 



