146 THE OAK - 



keys, wedges and treenails, gate-posts and doors, and 

 superior joinery. 



Railway-sleepers are best made of young oak, as it 

 is denser, and the Austrians say such sleepers last from 

 seven to ten years if not treated, and for as long as six- 

 teen years if treated with zinc chloride and other pre- 

 servatives. 



On the Continent heavy oak is used in machines, for 

 axletrees, spokes, stamps of mills, anvil-stocks, hammer- 

 handles, etc. 



Oak is much used for carving of all kinds, large fur- 

 niture, paneling, parquetry, for the felloes, spokes, and 

 axles of wheels, and for other parts of wagons, etc. In 

 cooperage it is much used for the staves, etc., of casks, 

 measures, sieves. 



Split oak makes excellent palings and shingles, and 

 oak vine-props are only second to those of chestnut. 

 Walking-sticks are also made of oak, and even water- 

 pipes have been used, but they taint the water. 



