22 BULLETIlSr 683, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTUEE. 



is nearly 50 per cent higher than the average cost reported for ehn in 

 the vehicle industiy. 



Elm is not in general use for spokes of ordinary vehicle wheels, 

 since the wood is inclined to warp when it absorbs moisture and does 

 not hold its shape as well as hickory. Both the cork elm and white 

 elm are used, however, for the extremely long spokes of large wagon 

 wheels such as are used in logging. Large log wheels as much as 9 

 feet in diameter are often fitted with cork-elm spokes, and it is said 

 that no other wood has been found to be quite so satisfactory. 



Cork elm is frequently used for the felloes, or bent rims, of light 

 wagons and carriages and is said to be satisfactory as rims for bicycles 

 in place of hickory. Cork elm serves as a substitute for hickory in 

 many parts of light vehicles. 



Cork elm is used in cutters and sleighs for the runners and running 

 gear. White and cork elm are also used for other parts in place of 

 ash and hickory. Elm is commonly used in the manufacture of wheel- 

 barrows, for which it is well adapted because of its ability to stand 

 shocks. It is used priucipally for the handles, for which the cork elm 

 is most suitable. Factories generally utilize No, 2 common and better 

 for this prbduct. 



An average cost of $26.71 per thousand board feet at the factory is 

 reported for elm by vehicle manufacturers. This is above the average 

 of elm for all industries, but is low for the vehicle industry. This is 

 evidently due to the large i^f'oportion of white elm included for which 

 a much lower price was paid than for the cork elm. For instance, in 

 Michigan the average cost of white elm is reported as $23 a thousand 

 and of cork elm $36. Vehicle makers demand a good grade of rock 

 elm for such purposes as eveners, singletrees, and running gears. 



No. 1 common and better 2 inches thick is generally used at a cost 

 of from $35 to $40 a thousand feet. For cutters and sleighs, 1 and 2 

 inch lumber No. 2 common and better, both white and rock elm, is 

 usually purchased at an average price of from $25 to $30, 



CHAIRS AND CHAIR STOCK. 



Elm is well adapted for chair making, as is shown by this industry's 

 being fourth in importance in its use. It is used particularly for 

 rockers, also for bent arms. It is, however, not so strong and tough 

 as hickory, does not take so smooth a polish, and is more apt to 

 splinter on the surface. The chair maker prefers the rock elm for 

 most uses, but the soft elm is also used. The average price per 

 thousand board feet paid for elm by this industry is $25.63, This is 

 about $2 per thousand above the average for all industries. 



WOODENWARE AND DAIRYMEN'S AND POULTERERS' SUPPUES. 



For such products as candy pails and tobacco buckets elm is 

 desirable because it has very little odor and taste. It is also used 

 for butter tubs. 



