WILLOWS: THEIR GROWTH, USE, A1STD IMPORTANCE. 33 



The wood of finest appearance is from the southern black willow, 

 which comes in the market in two forms, the black and red heart- 

 wood. In the south the willow grows to be a forest tree, often with 

 a clear length of over 50 feet, from the heartwood of which it is possible 

 to cut a good many bolts large enough, even when quartered, for any 

 requirement. The wood is clearer than the other species, and 

 although several manufacturers declare it to be less tough and durable, 

 it is very little, if any, inferior, provided it is cut at the proper time 

 an,d thoroughly seasoned. 



CUTTING AND SEASONING THE WOOD. 



The consensus of opinion among manufacturers seems to be that 

 the wood for artificial limbs should be cut in the winter. All, how- 

 ever, do not agree on this poiut. One claims that willow blocks cut 

 in July and properly handled are as good as any he ever used. Most 

 manufacturers consider it necessary for the wood to season for from 

 one to three years, although an occasional exception to this rule is 

 found. The trees used are generally large enough to allow the log 

 sections to be quartered and still be 6 inches or over through the 

 section. This would take a tree 12 inches or over in diameter. In 

 a few cases the wood from smaller trees is used. Round blocks are 

 not desirable, however, being apt to check because when they are 

 worked the hollow portion generally corresponds too nearly to the 

 annual rings. Only a very small portion of a tree cut for this purpose 

 is utilized. Since the blocks must be quartered from straight logs 

 free from knots, the average willow tree, especially when grown in 

 the open, furnishes less than 10 feet of merchantable material. 

 Trees that yield but one 4-foot section are often cut. The bark is 

 generally removed at the time of cutting and splitting, but it may be 

 left on the sticks until they are ready to be worked up. It is desirable 

 to split the logs as soon as they are cut, as, otherwise, they may so 

 check in drying as to spoil a portion of the wood. Many manufac- 

 turers also paint the ends of the sticks to prevent rapid drying and 

 consequent splitting. It is also a common practice to bore a hole 

 in the end for the same purpose. The wood is then stacked in a 

 dry shed or left where there is a free circulation of ah. The blocks 

 are piled on dry wooden slats, so that they do not touch each other. 

 Even after the blocks are treated in this manner there is often a loss 

 of 10 to 30 per cent of the si irks, due to defects and rot. 



The length of the blocks varies from 8 to 20 inches. The sticks 

 are, however, brought in in 4, 6, or even 8 foot lengths and recut 

 Inter. Many manufacturers cut their blocks in 16, 18, and 20 inch 

 lengths. In diameter they range from 5 to 12 inches. Blocks 6 

 inches is diameter and 20 indies Jong weigh 9 or L0 pounds when dry. 

 A block 5 inches in diameter and 16 inches long weighs about 7 



