OUR COMMON WOODS 231 



grain." Wood of medium weight and strength, usually 

 cross-grained, difficult to split. 



The wood is used for general construction, woodenware, 

 novelties, interior finish, and boxes. 



2. Beech. With only a part of the rays broad, the others 

 very fine, Fig. 151. Color pale reddish brown to white; 

 uniform. Wood heavy, hard, strong, usually straight- 

 grained. 



The wood is used for cheap furniture, turnery, cooperage, 

 woodenware, novelties, cross-ties, and fuel. Much of it 

 is distilled. 

 (6) Without conspicuously broad rays. 



1. Cherry. Rays rather fine but very distinct. Color of 

 wood reddish brown. Wood rather heavy, hard, and 

 strong. 



The wood is used for furniture, cabinet work, moulding, 

 interior finish, and miscellaneous articles. 



2. Maple, Fig. 152. With part of the rays rather broad 

 and conspicuous, the others very fine. Color light brown 

 tinged with red. The wood of the hard maple is very 

 heavy, hard and strong; that of the soft maples is rather 

 light, fairly strong. Maple most closely resembles birch, 

 but can be distinguished from it through the fact that 

 in maple the rays are considerably more conspicuous than 

 in birch. 



The wood is used for slack cooperage, flooring, interior 

 finish, furniture, musical instruments, handles, and destruc- 

 tive distillation. 



3. Tulip-tree, yellow poplar or whitewood. Rays all fine 

 but distinct. Color yellow or brownish yellow; sap wood 

 white. Wood light and soft, straight-grained, easy to 

 work. 



The wood is used for boxes, woodenware, tops and bodies 

 of vehicles, interior finish, furniture, and pulp. 



4. Red or sweet gum. Rays all fine but somewhat less 

 distinct than in tulip tree. Color reddish brown, often 

 with irregular dark streaks producing a " watered " effect 

 on smooth boards; thick sapwood, grayish white. Wood 

 rather heavy, moderately hard, cross-grained, difficult to 

 work. 



