58 BULLETIN" 909, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



usually too defective for this purpose and, moreover, there is little 

 demand for a perfectly straight and plain pillar. These cores are 

 not generally suitable for rollers because the wood is too soft. Most 

 manufacturers use them for fuel. 



Defective and sapwood veneer is often used for fuel because of 

 the small demand for such stock. Some manufacturers claim that 

 often they can get only one-eighth cent a square foot for it, and that 

 it is not profitably marketed at this price. It is used for backs of 

 pianos, bureaus, and mirrors, and for drawer bottoms. Furniture 

 factories prefer to buy yellow poplar or some other cheaper veneer 

 for such purposes because the use of the larger sizes in which it is 

 to be had involves less work and a lower cost for the labor in using it. 



Some manufacturers utilize their logs very closely in making 

 straight rotary veneer. They stop the slicing before the core is too 

 small, and then either saw or straight slice it. In this way less of 

 the heartwood is wasted. 



Walnut veneer is used mainly in dining and bedroom furniture, 

 musical instruments (principally pianos and phonographs), and 

 cabinetwork in general. It is used, as a rule, in the panels only, the 

 smaller pieces, such as corner posts, being made solid. Furniture 

 manufacturers may either make their own panels or buy them made 

 to size from panel manufacturers. 



TIES. 



Walnut makes a satisfactory tie because of its durability. It is 

 used untreated by the railroads. Locust, black walnut, and white 

 oak are generally considered the best tie woods and command the 

 highest prices. 



There is a considerable quantity of small and defective timber 

 in the course of logging walnut, which may be converted into ties 

 at a profit. Ties are usually 6 by 7, 6 by 8, 7 by 8, or 7 by 9 inches 

 in cross section and 8 or 8| feet in length. A 12-inch log, if it is 

 straight and not too defective, may be cut into a 7 by 9 or 7 by 8 

 tie. A 10-inch log will make a 6 by 8 tie if it is not necessary to 

 cut the log down on account of a defect. Top logs and especially 

 the limbs of walnut are liable to be so crooked that there is much 

 waste in cutting up such material. Ties as small as 5 by 7 inches 

 are sawed for use on sidings and on trolley lines. 



The prices paid for walnut ties generally amount to about the 

 same as the market value of cull walnut lumber. It is usually, 

 therefore, a question with the manufacturers whether it is profitable 



