19 



In dealing with the properties of woods in the following paragraphs, a 

 graded set of terms, such as hard, very hard, fairly hard, soft, very soft, 

 etc., is used. These terms of course indicate an approximate scale and 

 apply only to the average run of woods, as many conditions governing the 

 growth of the tree affect materially the structure of the wood so that the same 

 kind appears to have slightly different qualities. Generally the scale of terms 

 used will serve to give a fairly clear idea of the properties of woods. To 

 prevent confusion in their application, efforts have heen made not to use them 

 too loosely. The schedule setting forth the terms showing the relative grada- 

 tions to which all descriptions of qualities conform will be found on page 60. 

 By reference to this schedule the properties of the woods described may read- 

 ily be studied and compared. 



Lumbermen divide woods into two general classes, hardwoods and soft- 

 woods. This classification is not based so much upon the qualities of hard- 

 ness and softness as upon distinction which custom has standardized because it 

 is practical and holds true generally. Hardwoods are trees with broad leaves , 

 while the softwoods have the needle leaf. 



THE SOFTWOODS. 

 There are nineteen species of conifers going into final manufacture in 

 Pennsylvania. Ten of them are pines, constituting nearly fifty per cent, of the 

 total consumption, and of these the supply of seven is obtained entirely from 

 other states, and of the three home-grown species, scrub and pitch pine are 

 required in relatively small amounts, leaving white pine the foremost soft- 

 wood representative of the Pennsylvania forests. Pine lumber is generally ad- 

 mitted to be the most valuable wood that the earth produces and the species 

 that are used in Pennsylvania together with the other softwoods are described 

 In the order of quantity as follows: 



PINES. 



White Pine (Pinus Strobus). 

 White pine was the first lumber tree in Pennsylvania that attracted the 

 attention of the lumbermen. It was not found in this State in thick stands of 

 vast areas like the white pine in the Lake regions and parts of New 

 England , but it grew plentifully in various parts of the State. The trees were 

 generally of large development, and in the early years of lumbering, Pennsyl- 

 vania trees contributed a large proportion of the total white pine cut of the 

 country. In 1880 the estimated cut of white pine in Pennsylvania amounted to 

 380,000,000 feet, in 1900, 221,000,000 feet, and in 1910 only 92,000,000 feet. 

 In a few localities the remnants of the original stands are still being cut and 

 here and there trees are found scattered among the hemlocks and hardwoods, 

 besides the second growth that helps to make up the supply. White pine 

 reproduces vigorously and in certain parts of the State under favorable con- 

 ditions grows with astonishing rapidity. In quantity, it is the most used of 

 any wood for manufacture in Pennsylvania, and owing to its valuable 

 qualities of being light, soft, comparatively durable, of whitish color, easily 

 worked, and holding its shape when in place, it is called for by the factories 

 comprising thirty-two of the fifty-four industries. The largest quantity was 

 used for making planing mill products and general mill work, and the 

 next largest for boxes, these two industries accounting for 71% of the supply 

 going to the Pennsylvania factories. It is interesting to note that white pine 

 cut for Pennsylvania was only 2,000,000 feet more than the reported quantity 

 of home-grown wood used. This gives white pine the distinction of being con- 



