THE WOOD. 23 



tution for Spruce. It i.^, however, easily detected and the lotjs may 

 be scaled down accordingly. The black knots, due to a fung-ous dis- 

 ease occurring- where shade-killed branches have improperly healed, 

 almost wholly ruin the lumber in which they occur. They are, how- 

 ever, confined mostly to trees near the coast. The black streaks, 

 which have resulted in bewilderment and consternation on the part of 

 those who have tried to manufacture finer articles of Hemlock, is a 

 widespread and serious evil for which no remedy is as yet apparent. 

 They are from three-quarters of an inch to 3 inches long, seldom over 

 five-eighths wide, and very thin. (PI. VII, fig. 1.) The streaks lie with 

 the g-rain and become very conspicuous if the log is bastard sawn. In 

 boards cut across the grain they are less conspicuous, but kiln drying 

 is apt to open them clear through the board and to render the latter 

 useless where tightness is required. This is one of the chief objections 

 to the use of Hemlock for wooden ware, for which it is otherwise 

 excellent. This defect, varying- greatly in degree, is widespread 

 throughout Washington and Oregon and necessitates care in the selec- 

 tion of Hemlock from certain localities. It is less prevalent upon the 

 higher slopes of' the Cascades, while toward the upper limit of the 

 tree the defect does not occur. 



Besides the three defects mentioned above. Hemlock lumber fre- 

 quently shows the perforations of boring beetles. This is, however, 

 usually the result of careless handling of the logs and is too local in 

 distribution to be quoted as an objection to Hemlock lumber generally. 



Hemlock is best adapted for uses which require ease of working, a 

 handsome finish, and lightness combined with considerable strength. 

 It has been found suitable for flooring, joists and scantling, laths, 

 siding, ceiling, box shooks, turned stock, newel and pan&l work, 

 woodenware, and paper pulp. It is, however, for finishing- and box 

 manufacture that it is most certain of appreciation when it becomes 

 better known. Taking a high polish, free from pitch, and, when 

 properly sawed, showing a beautiful grain, it is an excellent wood for 

 wainscot, panels, and newels. It is harder and less easily dented 

 than Redwood or Cedar, and has a uniformly firm grain which on 

 drying does not show the minute corrugations characteristic of Bed 

 Fir and other trees having a marked difi'erence between summer and 

 fall wood. The St. Paul and Tacoma Lumber Company, of Tacoma, 

 has an oflice finished in Hemlock which attracts much admiration, and 

 builders of many stores and residences on Grays Harbor have selected 

 it as the most ornamental of Western woods for inside finishing. 



Of greater economic importance, however, is the use of Hemlock as 

 a substitute for Spruce and White Pine in the manufacture of boxes. 

 The scarcity of timber suitable for this purpose is a cause of much 



