RED CEDAR CHESTS AGAINST MOTH DAMAGE. 3 



"as it is offensive to most insects." In 1838 he stated (11) that on 

 account of its strength and durability the barriers of the sidewalks 

 of the streets of Philadelphia were made of this wood, which was 

 also used for making tubs, stopcocks, and coffins. 



In presenting certain historical data of New York, O'Callaghan 

 (13, p. 4.0) , in all probability referring to red cedar, stated : 



There is Red-wood which being burned, smells very agreeable ; when men sit 

 by the fire on benches made from it, the whole house is perfumed by it. 



Porcher (14, p. 588-589), in 1869, made the statement that — 



Cedar boxes are not infested by insects, moths, etc., and are used for storing 

 away woollens. The leaves also prevent the attacks of insects when spread 

 over cloth. 



Further reference to the use of red cedar against insects was made 

 by Emerson (3, p. 120) in 1875, to the effect that the agreeable and 

 permanent odor of the wood recommends it for certain uses, such as 

 pencils and the bottoms of boxes and drawers, the aroma making it a 

 safeguard against insects. Similarly, it was stated by Curtis (2, p. 

 118-119) that boxes and cabinets made of red cedar wood were 

 exempt from insects on account of its odor being offensive to them. 

 Hansen (5, p. 298-299) stated that the wood possessed much economic 

 value, being durable and free from the attacks of insects. 



It was reported by Sargent (15) in 1895 that the wood of red cedar 

 is highly resistant to decay and that insects do not molest it. It is 

 further stated by the same author that moths flee from the pungent 

 odor, and that every good housekeeper knows the value of a red 

 cedar chest or a closet lined with this wood. The following year 

 (16) he also asserted that the wood is very fragrant and easily 

 worked, being used largely for fence posts, railway ties, sills, cabi- 

 nets, lead pencils, the interior finish of houses, and for protecting 

 woolens against the attack of moths. 



According to Kent (8) the wood is highly resistant to decay by 

 water and is therefore valuable for fence posts and other purposes 

 where it comes into contact with moist soil or water. This author also 

 states that moths flee from the pungent odor, and that a chest of red 

 cedar or a closet lined with red cedar wood affords an efficient protec- 

 tion against their inroads. It is also reported that the waste at 

 pencil factories is used to manufacture a paper which has been found 

 useful for wrapping wools, furs, and other articles likely to be in- 

 jured by moths. 



It is stated by White (18) that the heartwood of the cedar con- 

 stitutes the portion of the tree which is used extensively for pencil 

 making. For this purpose it is essential to have the straight-grained 

 red wood, free from knots. 



On account of the lack of cedar logs of any great size and the 

 need for the heartwood free from knots, old logs and fence rails are 

 being used for the manufacture of pencil slats. 



Withill the last 15 years fed eodar has been used in constantly 

 increasing quantities in the manufacture of cedar chests. All of the 

 red heartwood and part of the white sapwood is utilized for this 

 purpose. The industry has grown very rapidly and at the present 

 time red cedar chests are recognized as staple art ides of furniture. 

 These chests combine ornamental beauty with utility as receptacles 

 for the storage of clothing. Their beautiful and attractive appear- 



