UTILIZATION OF ELM. 27 



FIREWOOD. 



Elm is not generally considered a desirable wood for fuel, because 

 it is difficult to work up into cordwood and to season. Its slowness 

 in burning is another objection to its use, especially for domestic 

 purposes, where quick heating is desired. Slippery elm, however, is 

 fairly satisfactory on account of its comparative ease in spUtting. 

 Elm ranks high in respect to the heating value of the dry wood, a 

 standard cord (8 feet long, 4 feet high, and 4 feet wide) being equal 

 in heat value to a ton of coal, which puts it in the same class with 

 oak, hickory, and beech. When there is a supply of elm timber and 

 a scarcity of other fuels, considerable quantities of elm are utilized for 

 fuel. The market value of fuel wood depends on its heating qualities, 

 the rate at which it burns, its abundance and availability, and the 

 demand for such material. In Michigan a "stove- wood" cord of 

 elm (8 feet long, 4 feet high, and 16 inches wide) was reported as 

 usually selling for from $2 to $2.25. 



FARM USES. 



Elm serves many good purposes on the farm. It is often used for 

 flooring in stalls because it presents a rough surface and is easy on 

 the hoofs of animals. Compared to other woods it resists abrasion 

 well in wet situations. Rock elm makes excellent mauls and also 

 may serve for the handles. It is put to a large number of local uses, 

 especially where there is a good supply and other timbers are not 

 available. 



Elm is often used for fence posts, although it is not very durable in 

 the untreated condition. Since the sapwood takes treatment well, 

 it is advisable to apply some preservative to the wood when it is to 

 be used for such purposes.^ 



Cedar elm is commonly used untreated for fence posts in Texas; 

 and, although much inferior in lasting quahties to osage orange, 

 mesquite, and the cedars of the region, the elm posts last many years 

 in a dry cMmate. 



GRADES USED BY DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES. 



The proportion of the various grades of elm used in each of five 

 different industries is given in Table 8. The No. 1 common grade is 

 demanded in largest quantity by these industries. The vehicle, 

 chair, and fm-niture industries can evidently use this grade to best 

 advantage. Furniture, vehicle, and musical instrument makers 

 demand also considerable No. 2 common. Musical instrument and 

 agricultural implement factories have need for a good deal of high- 

 grade elm. The last-named industry also finds place for much very 



1 See Farmers' Bulletin 744, "The Preservative Treatment of Farm Timbers." 



