56 BULLETIN 12, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTURE. 



not compare favorabh^ with other ashes. At the best, it is a rather 

 poor material for manufacturing purposes where strength and stiff- 

 ness are demanded, but in color it is superior to most of the common 

 white woods. 



It is made into interior finish in Michigan, North Carolina, and 

 California. The particular uses for it are as newel posts, stair rails, , 

 spindles, capitals, chair boards, and baseboards, occasionally doors 

 and frames, and more frequently flooring. 



It is turned to account as handle material, but not where strength 

 and stiffness are essential. Broom handles of this wood present a 

 handsome appearance, and doubtless many thousands listed as maple 

 in the markets are box elder. Woodenware makers draw supplies 

 froin this source, and the wood's clear color is its principal recom- 

 mendation. Ironing boards, sleeve boards, washboards, bread and 

 meat boards, chopping blocks, and the tops of kitchen tables, and 

 shelves for pantries are among the commodities in which box elder 

 gives its best service. Some of it is cut for pulp, but it is not sepa- 

 rately listed. It appears in the same way in slack cooperage. It is 

 not believed that the quantity so used is very large compared with 

 some other species, but coopers employ it for numerous wares and in 

 many parts of the country. 



The California variety, Acer negiindo calif ornicum^ is generally 

 smaller than the eastern form, and does not serve in as many places 

 because industries are not as varied on the Pacific coast as in the 

 East. The western form differs from the eastern in having wood 

 somewhat heavier, but only half as much ash when burned. It is 50 

 per cent stronger and 70 per cent staffer, and is therefore a better 

 wood for vehicles, handles, and for the manufacture of agricultural 

 implements. 



VINE MAPLE. 



{Acer circinatum.) 



Vine maple is a western species with a range more restricted than 

 that of the broadleaf or Oregon maple. It is found from the coast 

 region of British Columbia south through Washington and Oregon 

 to northern California. The tree is not of much commercial im- 

 portance because it is small and rather scarce, but it is put to several 

 uses in parts of its range. Lumbermen make ax handles of it in 

 Oregon, and it gives good service in shovel and small-tool handles. 

 Indians prefer it for fishing net bows. It is not half as stiff as 

 sugar maple. The name vine maple is given this species because of 

 the trunk's habit of lying on the ground. There is small probability 

 that its importance will increase in the future. 



WASHIXGTOX : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1913 



