UTILIZATION OF BLACK WALNUT. 87 



Walnut is a suitable wood for railway ties, fence posts, and fire- 

 wood, but Only small and defective material is ordinarily converted 

 into these products. 



The price of walnut lumber has increased greatly during recent 

 years, and the same thing is true of the price of such other cabinet 

 woods as red gum, white oak, and birch. These prices have also ef- 

 fected a great increase in the price of logs. During the war, on 

 account of the unprecedented demand for walnut, much small and 

 defective material was accepted. Logs 14 inches and over in diame- 

 ter and at least fairly clear are now generally specified. The in- 

 creased expense of logging and of freight has been an added factor 

 in making the cost of logs higher than before the war. 



Owners of walnut timber can dispose of their trees to best advan- 

 tage to walnut lumber and veneer manufacturers, and to factories 

 that purchase walnut in the log form. Figured walnut is more valu- 

 able than plain. Walnut firms do not, as a rule, publish a fixed scale 

 of prices and log grades, the price generally being set by the log 

 buyer. 



Although the present very high market price of the timber may 

 not be maintained, walnut will always be in demand, and will bring 

 good prices because of the intrinsic value of the wood. Owners of 

 timber tracts containing walnut will generally find it profitable to 

 favor the young growth of this timber over that of less valuable 

 species. 



