10 WOOD-USING INDUSTRIES OF ARKANSAS. 



ago, when the discovery was made that it is a good substitute for yel- 

 low poplar for a number of purposes. It is usually marketed under 

 the name u bay poplar." Some call it black gum, though the true 

 black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) is a different tree, but grows in Arkansas. 

 The tupelo is a swamp tree, and is often, but not always, found asso- 

 ciated with cypress. 



Sycamore. — About one-fourth of the rough sycamore lumber cut 

 in Arkansas is further manufactured within the State. There is only 

 one species of sycamore in the United States east of the Rocky Moun- 

 tains, and the wood is not apt to be mistaken for any other in the lum- 

 ber yard or in the finished product. 



Persimmon. — About one-fifth of the persimmon lumber cut in the 

 United States is reported by Arkansas manufacturers. This wood is 

 like hickory in one respect — the sap wood is considered most valuable. 

 Much persimmon is made into shuttles, only the sap wood being used. 

 The heartwood is of dark color, and is occasionally made into parquet 

 flooring or inlay work. Persimmon belongs to the ebony family of 

 trees. 



White pine. — True white pine (Pinus stroous) does not grow in 

 Arkansas, and what is used there is imported from the North or North- 

 east, or some kindred pine is brought from the far West or Northwest. 

 Sometimes in Arkansas, however, a very soft and white variety of 

 shortleaf pine is called white pine, and occasionally it may be sold as 

 such. 



Hackberry. — This wood does not appear to be singled out for any 

 special use in Arkansas. It resembles ash and often goes to market 

 with it. 



Osage orange. — Osage orange is a fence-post and vehicle wood, very 

 heavy, hard, strong, and enduring. It is one of the most costly in 

 the United States, and the highest in price reported by Arkansas 

 manufacturers, except mahogany. It does not grow in commercial 

 quantities in the State, but comes from Oklahoma and Texas. 



Maple. — A little hard or sugar maple is found in Arkansas, but it is 

 of minor importance. Some red maple (Acer rubrum), silver maple 

 {Acer saccliarinum) , and box elder (Acer negundo) are cut, and they 

 all seem to be put to use without distinction. The total quantity is 

 not large. Some sugar maple is brought in from the North. 



Birch. — Two species of birch are used for manufacturing pusposes 

 in the State. Sweet birch (Betula lento) is imported from the North 

 or Northeast, but river birch (Betula nigra) is native. The former is a 

 furniture wood, but the latter is used for common purposes only. 



Yellow poplar. — Only a small amount of yellow poplar was reported 

 by manufacturers in the State, and most of that came from the 

 outside. 



