34 BULLETIN 523, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEIOULTUEE. 



bought in log or bolt form, and $iO to $50 per 1,000 paid for good 

 clear stuff delivered to the factory. 



FIXTURES. 



Ash is a desirable wood for fixtures because of its handsome 

 grain and finishing qualities and because it is durable, wears smooth, 

 and is tough and strong. It is used especially for store, office, 

 bank, school, and church fixtures, including railings, counter tops, 

 show cases, cabinets, partitions, seats, and pews. The price of 

 ash for fixtures averages about $37 per 1,000 board feet, consider- 

 able lumber of upper grades being used. Ohio, Illinois, Michi- 

 gan, and Iowa lead in the use of ash for fixtures. All three of 

 the important commercial species are used. 



MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. 



Ash is used to a moderate extent in the construction of various 

 kinds of musical instruments, including pianos, organs, piano play- 

 ers, banjos, harps, and tambourines. It is used for piano frames, 

 backs, keys, inside work, and. molding. It is a substantial wood for 

 musical instruments, as it holds its place well, finishes and wears 

 well, is easily worked, and is tough and strong. The better grades 

 of ash lumber are used almost exclusively, and the price paid at the 

 factory averages about $55. Illinois, New York, Maryland, and 

 Missouri are the leading States using ash in musical instruments. 

 White, green, and black ash are all used in this industry. 



WOODENWARE AND NOVELTIES. 



Ash woodenware and novelties include chiefly ladder rounds, step- 

 ladders, buckets, pails, tubs, staffs, small flagpoles, butchers' blocks, 

 a,nd carving boards. The qualities which miake ash desirable in these 

 articles are, in general, its straightness of grain, strength, workable- 

 ness, and wearing ability. Lumber of the lower grades is used most, 

 because it is largely sawed up into short pieces, so that defects can 

 be readily eliminated where desired. The average price at the fac- 

 tory for the ash lumber used is about $29 per 1,000 board feet. The 

 price of material used for buckets ranges low, while that for ladders 

 is high. 



SADDLES AND HARNESS. 



Hames are made from over 80 per cent of the ash used in the 

 saddle and harness business. Ash is especially desirable for hames 

 because it is strong and tough yet comparatively light. It is also 

 used for saddletrees and stirrups. Second-growth white ash is the 

 most desirable and is chiefl}'^ used. The price paid averages $35 per 

 1,000 board feet, delivered at the factories. Eighty per cent of the 

 total is used in New Hampshire and New York. 



