May, 1912 
DURABILITY OF WOOD CUT IN 
SPRING AND SUMMER 
IMBER cut in Spring and in Summer 
is not so desirable as that cut in Win- 
ter, when the life processes of trees are 
less active. Scientific investigations sus- 
tain this statement. The durability de- 
pends not only upon the greater or less 
density, but also upon the presence of cer- 
tain chemical constituents in the wood. 
Thus a large proportion of resinous mat- 
ter increases the durability, while the 
presence of easily soluble carbohydrates 
diminishes it considerably. During the 
growing season the wood of trees con- 
tains sulphuric acid and potassium, both 
of which are solvents of carbohydrates, 
starch, resins and gums; they are known 
to soften also the ligneous tissue to a con- 
sirable degree. During the Summer 
months the wood of living trees contains 
eight times as much sulphuric acid and 
five times as much potassium as it does 
during the Winter months. The presence 
of these two chemical substances during 
the growing season constitutes the chief 
factor in dissolving the natural preserva: 
tives within the wood and in preparing the 
wood for the different kinds of wood-de- 
stroying fungi, such as Polyporus and 
Agaricus. The fungi can thus penetrate 
more quickly and easily into the interior 
of the wood when these wood gums are 
already partly dissolved and available for. 
their own immediate use. From this stand- 
point it seems that the best time to cut 
down the tree is in the Winter when sul- 
phuric acid and potassium are present to 
a much smaller degree, and the fungi will 
not be assisted in dissolving the natural pre- 
servatives in the wood. 
wood gum is always less and more easily 
soluble in sapwood than in heartwood, and 
for this reason the former is usually re- 
garded worthless for industrial purposes. 
CURIOSITIES IN NEEDLES 
EEDLES are articles of such common 
use and of such small dimensions that 
one hardly expects to find them present 
any features of artistic or personal in- 
terest. Yet there are one or two instances 
of this kind on record. Queen Victoria 
possessed a needle, the stem of which was 
covered with beautiful designs representing 
incidents in the life of her late majesty. So 
small and intricate was the pattern that it 
could be seen only by the aid of a magnify- 
ing glass. Moreover, the needle was hollow 
and within it was placed another still 
smaller needle. 
The German Emperor, William I., grand- 
father of the present occupant of the 
throne, also possessed a very remarkable 
needle. The story of the circumstances is 
as follows: In 1883 the Emperor visited a 
large needle factory in Kreuznach, and one 
of the workmen, whose task it was to bore 
the eye of the needles, requested the Em- 
peror to give him one of his white hairs. 
The Kaiser complied with the request in 
some astonishment, and was still more sur- 
prised when he saw the deft workman bore 
a hole through the hair, draw a fine thread 
through the eye, and hand the threaded 
needle back to the venerable monarch, who 
kept it as one of the most interesting sou- 
venirs of his long and varied life. 
AN INGENIOUS CLOCKMAKER 
COBBLER of Strassburg, Germany, 
has recently finished a clock made en- 
tirely of straws. Even the works are made 
of straw. It has taken him nearly fifteen 
years to complete this odd timing device. 
The amount of 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 
GO SS OG NG RUE SSE 
———y 
The furnishings shown in this beautiful summer scene are 
all of Rustic Hickory. While particularly attractive Rustic Hickory 
Furniture is also the most comfortable and durable. The frame 
work is of selected hickory saplings—no paint or varnish—simply 
made smooth to bring out the delicate shadings of the natural bark. 
The seats and backs are of hand woven strips of flexible 
inner hickory bark, thus insuring greatest strength and comfort. 
Rustic Hickory is the ideal Furniture for Summer Homes, 
Country Clubs, Bungalows, Cottages, Porches, Lawns, Studios and 
all places where comfort combined with simplicity is desired. 
Made in over one hundred styles of Chairs, Rockers, Setteet, 
Tables, Swings, Couches, Tabourets, Lawn Seats, Sideboards, 
Rustic Benches, Hanging Baskets, Lawn Vases, Window Boxet, 
Pergolas, Summer Houses, Fences, and a variety of other pieces. 
So reasonable in price most anyone can afford it. If your 
dealer cannot supply you write to us. Catalogue mailed free. 
RUSTIC HICKORY FURNITURE CO., 103STATE STREET, LA PORTE, INDIANA 
A Poultry House 
for 12 laying Hens 
Complete with Nests, Fountain, Feed 
Hopper, Yard, etc. _ € most up- 
to-date accommodations and _ wi 
give the best gesults, Price, $20.00. 
SP 
These Pictures Tell a Story 
Which Vitally Affects Your Trees 
c “THESE big trees, through neglect, were so 
é — rotted a man could stand in the hollow core, 
\ yet little evidence of the rot showed on the outside. 
They were cleaned out, cemented, and now are good for many 
years to come. 
Are you going to lose a magnificent elm or maple through lack 
of such care? 
Why not make your orchard trees, too, a source of profit rather 
than an eyesore > 
Have us look your trees over, whether it be a dozen or a 
hundred, and tell you what they need and the cost of putting 
them in shape. This service will not cost you a cent. 
Let us get to work now so your trees will be a source of enjoy- 
ment to you this summer. 
All our work is guaranteed and we inspect the work every 
six months without expense to you. 
Send for our Representative or for our 
Free Book—‘ Making Good” in Trees 
Explains the care your trees need, how we work, and what 
we have done for others and can do for you. 
APPLETON & SEWALL CO., Inc. 
Foresters and Surveyors 
162 Fifth Avenue 
New York 
HODGSON PORTABLE HOUSES 
COTTAGES - GARAGES - POULTRY HOUSES 
BETTER and handsomer than your carpenter will build and 
at much less cost and bother. Sections fit together exactly. 
Easily erected, yet as durable and rigid as a permanent building. 
We make PORTABLE buildings for every purpose—Cottages, Sun 
Parlors, Garages, Poultry Houses, Children’s Play Houses, Gardener's 
Tool Houses, Schoolhouses, Churches, Stores, etc. 
Write us what you are interested in—if a Cottage, how many rooms. If 
a Garage, the over-all length of your car and how many cars. If a Poultry 
House, how many fowl you wish to accommodate. We can then send you 
printed matter or catalog illustrating goods that will answer your requirements. 
Write us to-day for catalog H. 
E. F. HODGSON CO., 116 Washington St., Boston, Mass. 
