8 WOOD-USING INDUSTRIES OF ARKANSAS. 



Nearly every wood possesses some quality which fits it for certain 

 purposes. It may be color, grain, weight, strength, elasticity, facility 

 in taking stain, lasting properties, freedom from taste or odor, or per- 

 haps cheapness. The woods listed in Table 1 will be briefly described. 



SJiortleaf pine. — Nearly three-fourths of all the wood employed for 

 manufacturing purposes in Arkansas is shortleaf pine. It is probable 

 that some loblolly pine is listed with it. Shortleaf pine in Arkansas 

 is generally considered of a higher grade than the same species grown 

 in other regions. It is soft, of good color, and the wide annual rings 

 show well in the grain. It is a favorite material for sash, doors, and 

 ceilings; and is well liked for flooring, though its softness places it at 

 a little disadvantage for the last use as compared with longleaf pine. 

 Shortleaf grows faster than longleaf, particularly during the first 30 

 or 40 years; and the sap wood is thick. Sometimes sawlogs have 

 very little heartwood. In this respect it resembles loblolly. 



Longleaf pine. — Longleaf pine is not abundant in Arkansas, and 

 three-fourths of that reported was brought in from Louisiana, Mis- 

 sissippi, and Texas. It is a slow-growing tree, and the wood is very 

 strong, stiff, and durable, making it suitable for trusses, frames, and 

 beams where strength is wanted. It is one of the best floor woods in 

 the country. Its narrow rings and thin sapwood serve in almost all 

 cases to distinguish it from shortleaf, loblolly, and Cuban pine, which 

 have thick sapwood and wide rings. Further south these four species 

 frequently grow in the same localities, but seldom or never associate 

 in Arkansas, where loblolly and longleaf are rather scarce, and the 

 Cuban pine is not found. 



Red gum. — Arkansas produces more red gum lumber than any other 

 State, and one-half of the mill output is further manufactured at home. 

 The rise of this wood from obscurity to prominence has been phe- 

 nomenal. Once considered practically worthless, it now stands high 

 among furniture and finish woods, for musical instruments, and for 

 many other purposes. It may be successfully finished to imitate 

 Circassian walnut, oak, mahogany, and other expensive cabinet woods. 

 Its own grain finished naturally from carefully selected logs is scarcely 

 surpassed by any wood of this country. In Europe it is known as 

 satin walnut. 



White oak. — Several species belonging to the white oak group are 

 reported in Arkansas simply as white oak. Among these are the true 

 white oak (Quercus alba), post oak (Quercus minor), bur oak (Quercus 

 macrocarpa), overcup oak (Quercus lyrata), swamp white oak (Quercus 

 platanoides) , and cow or basket oak (Quercus michauxii). There is 

 not much difference in the woods, and they are seldom sold separately 

 in this region. 



Red oak. — A number of Arkansas oaks are grouped as red oak in 

 the lumber yard and factory. The true red oak (Quercus rubra) is 



