USES OF COMMERCIAL WOODS. 7 



some more fashionable or attractive wood is laid over it. Beech 

 dowels are used in the construction of table tops, counter tops, and 

 other large pieces to fasten them together. 



Bed slats of this wood are in demand in many furniture factories. 

 They are cheap and stiff. Beech is listed among woods employed in 

 marquetry or pattern work built up of blocks of different colored 

 woods laid over some cheaper material. The color of beech is mild 

 and subdued, and when artistically combined with other woods the 

 effect is pleasing. 



Church pews are often made in part of beech; and sometimes, on 

 account of its color, it is the visible wood, particularly for the ends. 



FLOORING AND FIXTURES. 



A great deal of beech is used for flooring, and it ranks after 

 maple and oak among the hardwoods so employed. In ordinary 

 floors it wears as well, or nearly as well, as maple, and it has the 

 advantage of shrinking and swelling less than most woods. Its best 

 service is perhaps given in factory and warehouse floors, where usage 

 is rough and wear is great. The wheels of hand trucks produce little 

 effect on a well-seasoned beech floor. 



The same qualities which lead to the use of beech in marquetry 

 commend it for parquet flooring. It is regularly employed in that 

 way. but it is not as important as are some of the darker and whiter 

 woods, since it does not contrast so well. 



Manufacturers of office, bank, and store fixtures employ beech for 

 much of the hidden framework in counters, show cases, cabinets, and 

 shelving. The line separating fixtures from interior finish is not 

 clearly defined, and beech enters largely into Ijoth. It is seen in stair 

 work, wainscoting, molding, spindles, brackets, and carved columns 

 and other pieces. It is frequently made into window screens, and 

 less frequently, because of its weight, into screen doors. 



In practically all of the uses foimd for ]3eech the heartwood is given 

 preference. The sapwood is seldom desired. It is claimed by some 

 manufacturers that the value of l^eech lumber would be increased 

 and its uses extended if sawmills would exercise greater care in 

 separating the sap from the heart lumber. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



Beech has a long list of miscellaneous uses and enters into a great 

 variety of commodities. In every region where it grows in commer- 

 cial quantities it is made into lx)xes. baskets, and crating. Beech 

 baskets are chiefly employed in shipping fruit, berries, and vegetables, 

 and are of thin lumber, generally veneer, and intended to be used 

 only once. In Maine thin veneer of beech is made si)ecially for the 



