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Tight Cooperage . — Old white oak, at present, is the principal 
and practically the only wood used for tight cooperage, especi- 
ally for beer, whiskey and oil barrels. The constantly decreas- 
ing supply of this lumber is becoming a serious problem in the 
cooperage market and any practicable substitute would be gladly 
received. General consideration seems to show that ohia lumber 
possesses qualities which make it suitable for purposes of tight 
cooperage, and the lumber should be given a thorough trial. 
Ohia tie mill. Pahoa. 
Tie Plates . — A new use for ohia has recently been introduced 
which, if proved a success, should find a market for large quan- 
tities of ohia lumber. This is its use for tie plates. Red wood, 
cedar, and other soft conifers make excellent ties so far as their 
resistance to decay and their durability in contact with the soil 
is concerned. But because of the softness of these woods the 
rails soon cut into them, the spikes pull out, and the ties must 
be shifted or replaced. To obviate this difficulty metal tie plates 
of various forms have been devised, which are fastened to the 
soft ties and receive the direct pressure of the rails. Such metal 
