72 BULLETIN 909, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



purpose it is admirably suited. The wood has a slightly coarse 

 texture and can be gripped well by the hand; moreover, it' does not 

 become either rough or slippery from wear. The dark color of the 

 heartwood also precludes its presenting a soiled appearance. As they 

 are made in sections, which are dovetailed and glued together, very 

 strong, serviceable rims are produced. The dash or instrument board 

 of certain makes of automobiles is covered with figured walnut veneer, 

 which gives a pleasing appearance. For this use, waterproof glue is 

 required, because this part of the car is frequently exposed to the 

 weather. In general, a high grade of walnut is used for these pur- 

 poses. 



Battery boxes also are made of walnut. These boxes must be 

 strong, tight, and serviceable. They are dovetailed and glued at the 

 joints, and wooden dowels are also used to prevent their coming 

 apart. The sides and bottoms are one-half to nine-sixteenths inch 

 in thickness. Walnut makes a strong tight box, is not liable to warp, 

 and is not soiled so readily as most other woods. The walnut used 

 in the manufacture of these boxes is mostly No. 2 common and cull, 

 five-eighths inch thick. 



CHAIRS AND CHAIR STOCK. 



Black walnut is used for chairs of all kinds, except very cheap 

 ones, but it appears to best advantage in the large and ornamental 

 kinds seen in club and lodge rooms, offices, hotel lobbies, and public 

 waiting rooms. Its dignified and pleasing appearance makes it ap- 

 propriate for such locations. It is also used to match high-grade 

 walnut furniture, particularly dining-room chairs. It is used almost 

 entirely in the form of lumber and dimension stock for this pur- 

 pose. A small overlay of highly figured walnut veneer or burl is 

 sometimes used to match the other pieces. Veneer is also employed 

 to some extent for large and very expensive chairs in order to get 

 some special figured effect. 



CAR CONSTRUCTION. 



About 1 per cent of the total amount of black walnut reported 

 for factory use was utilized in the construction of railway and street 

 cars. Practically all of it was used for the interior finish of Pull- 

 man cars, and mainly for the large panels. For such uses highly 

 figured veneer is well adapted and largely employed on account of 

 the beautiful effects that may be secured and because of its excellent 

 finishing qualities. The most expensive veneers, particularly those 

 from crotch and stump wood, are used in private cars. On the 

 average a high grade of walnut is used in car construction. 



