RED CEDAR CHESTS AGAINST MOTH DAMAGE. 3 
"as it is offensive to most insects." In 1838 he stated (11) that on 
account of its strength and durability the barriers of the sidewalks 
of the streets of Philadelphia were made of this wood, which was 
also used for making tubs, stopcocks, and coffins. 
In presenting certain historical data of New York, O'Callaghan 
(13, p. Ifi) , in all probability referring to red cedar, stated : 
There is Red-wood which being burned, smells very agreeable ; when men sit 
by the fire on benches made from it, the whole house is perfumed by it. 
Porcher (14, p. 588-589), in 1869, made the statement that — 
Cedar boxes are not infested by insects, moths, etc., and are used for storing 
away woollens. The leaves also prevent the attacks of insects when spread 
over cloth. 
Further reference to the use of reel cedar against insects was made 
by Emerson (3, p. 120) in 1875, to the effect that the agreeable and 
permanent odor of the wood recommends it for certain uses, such as 
pencils and the bottoms of boxes and drawers, the aroma making it a 
safeguard against insects. Similarly, it was stated by Curtis (2, p. 
118-119) that boxes and cabinets made of red cedar wood were 
exempt from insects on account of its odor being offensive to them. 
Hansen (5, p. 298-299) stated that the wood possessed much economic 
value, being durable and free from the attacks of insects. 
It was reported by Sargent (15) in 1895 that the wood of red cedar 
is highly resistant to decay and that insects do not molest it. It is 
further stated by the same author that moths flee from the pungent 
odor, and that every good housekeeper knows the value of a red 
cedar chest or a closet lined with this wood. The following year 
(16) he also asserted that the wood is very fragrant and easily 
worked, being used largely for fence posts, railway ties, sills, cabi- 
nets, lead pencils, the interior finish of houses, and for protecting 
woolens against the attack of moths. 
According to Kent (8) the wood is highly resistant to decay by 
water and is therefore valuable for fence posts and other purposes 
where it comes into contact with moist soil or water. This author also 
states that moths flee from the pungent odor, and that a chest of red 
cedar or a closet lined with red cedar wood affords an efficient protec- 
tion against their inroads. It is also reported that the waste at 
pencil factories is used to manufacture a paper which has been found 
useful for wrapping wools, furs, and other articles likely to be in- 
jured by moths. 
It is stated by White (18) that the heartwood of the cedar con- 
stitutes the portion of the tree which is used extensively for pencil 
making. For this purpose it is essential to have the straight- grained 
red wood, free from knots. 
On account of the lack of cedar logs of any great size and the 
need for the heartwood free from knots, old logs and fence rails are 
being used for the manufacture of pencil slats. 
Within the last 15 years red cedar has been used in constantly 
increasing quantities in the manufacture of cedar chests. All of the 
red heartwood and part of the white sapwood is utilized for this 
purpose. The industry has grown very rapidly and at the present 
time red cedar chests are recognized as staple articles of furniture. 
These chests combine ornamental beauty with utility as receptacles 
for the storage of clothing. Their beautiful and attractive appear- 
