THE STEM— ITS GENERAL STRUCTURE 69 



and yellow pine are used for floors. The best flooring is 

 sawn with the straight edges of the annual rings upward ; 

 tangential sawn flooring may splinter. Chestnut is common 

 in some parts of the country, being used for ceiling and 

 inexpensive finishing and furniture. Locust and dot's d'arc 

 (osage orange) are used for hubs of wheels ; bois d'arc 

 makes a remarkably durable pavement for streets. Ebony 

 is a tropical wood used for flutes, black piano keys, and 

 fancy articles. Ash is straight and elastic ; it is used 

 for handles for light implements. Hickory is very strong 

 as well as elastic, and is superior to ash for handles, spokes, 

 and other uses where strength is wanted. Hickory is 

 never sawn into lumber, but is split or turned. The 

 "second growth," which sprouts from stumps, is most 

 useful, as it splits readily. Fast-growing hickory in rich 

 land is most valuable. The supply of useful hickory is 

 being rapidly exhausted. 



Softness is often important. White pine and sweet gum 

 because of their softness and lightness are useful in box- 

 making. " Georgia " or southern pine is harder and stronger 

 than white pine ; it is much used for floors, ceilings, and 

 some kinds of cabinet work. White pine is used for 

 window-sash, doors, and molding, and cheaper grades for 

 flooring. Hemlock is the prevailing lumber in the east for 

 the framework and clapboarding of buildings. Redtvood 

 and Douglas sprtice are common building materials on the 

 Pacific coast. Cypress is soft and resists decay and is 

 superior to white pine for sash, doors, and posts on the 

 outside of houses. Cedar is readily carved and has a 

 unique use in the making of chests for clothes, as its odor 

 repels moths and other insects. Willow is useful for bas- 

 kets and light furniture. Basswood or linden is used for 

 light ceiling and sometimes for cheap floors. Whitezuood 



