AMERICAN FOREST TREES 333 



extensive than that of tupelo. Gum lumber cut north of the Ohio 

 and Potomac rivers may be safely classed as black gum, though a little 

 of both red and tupelo gum is found north of those streams. In the 

 South, the species cannot be separated by regions, for all the gums grow 

 from Texas to Virginia. The total annual output of black gum is not 

 known, but some operators estimate it at about 20,000,000 feet a year, or 

 nearly one-fourth as much as tupelo. 



The bulk of black gum lumber is used in the rough, for floors, 

 sheathing, frames, and scaffolds; but a considerable portion is further 

 manufactured. The amounts thus used annually have been ascertained 

 for a few states, and furnish a basis for estimates for the whole country : 

 Mississippi, 7,000 feet; Maryland, 85,000; Illinois, 120,000; Louisiana, 

 120,000; Missouri, 190,000; Texas, 360,000; Massachusetts, 475,000; 

 Alabama, 486,000. 



The uses are general, except that the wood is not employed where 

 attractive figure is required, for black gum is as plain as cottonwood. It 

 is not displeasing in its plainness, for the surface finishes nicely with a 

 soft gloss which, except that it lacks figure, suggests the sap of red gum. 

 It is specially useful in situations where noncleavability is required. 

 Black gum mallets for stone masons and woodworkers are in the market. 

 Mine rollers require a much larger amount. The entire 85,000 feet 

 reported in Maryland was made into such rollers. They furnish the 

 bearing for the rope that hauls the car up the incline out of the coal pit. 

 Its toughness qualifies it for wagon hubs, but it is sometimes objected to 

 because its softness causes the mortises to wear larger where the spokes 

 are inserted, and the wheel does not stand as well as when the hubs are 

 of good oak. Early farmers and lumbermen preferred black gum for 

 ox yokes, and some are still seen where oxen are used; but many other 

 woods are as strong and equally as serviceable for yokes. Rollers of this 

 wood for glass factories are common. It is made into hatters' blocks 

 where a wood is wanted which, when thoroughly seasoned, will hold its 

 shape. It is less popular for this purpose than yellow poplar. One of 

 the best places for black gum is in the manufacture of bored water pipe. 

 The wood's interlaced fiber prevents splitting under the internal stress 

 due to hydrostatic pressure. The shell of such pipes can be thinner 

 than with most woods. A drawback is found in the non-durable qual- 

 ities of black gum. However, the internal pressure of water keeps the 

 wood thoroughly saturated, and prolongs its life when used as pipes. 



The makers of firearms employ black gum as gunstocks and pistol 

 grips. The wood is stained to make it darker. It is cut by the rotary 

 process into cheap veneer and is made into baskets and berry crates. 

 Less trouble with the veneer, on account of breaking, is experienced 



