UTILIZATION OF ELM. 25 
the curved form until the glue is dry. The partly finished seat 
retains its curved shape when the pressure is removed. The seat is 
next shaped and finished by special machinery. The ends of the 
pews are usually made of oak, and the elm is stained to match it. 
Occasionally elm is used for the entire pew. 
Cabinets and store and office fixtures are occasionally made of elm. 
The average price reported for elm for fixtures is $28.32 per thou- 
sand feet. This is considerably higher than the average price of this 
wood for furniture. 
PLANING-MILL PRODUCTS, SASH, AND DOORS. 
That there is a demand for elm for house and office finish is shown 
by the use of more than 6,000,000 feet annually for such purposes. 
It serves as an excellent inside finish wood because of its moderate 
amount of figure and pleasing light and dark shades when finished in 
the natural color, and makes a good appearance in panels. It is also 
used to imitate other woods which are more expensive, such as plain 
oak. A low average price ($19.05 per thousand feet) is reported for 
this class of products. 
SPORTING AND ATHLETIC GOODS. 
Cork elm is used for such products as horizontal bars and similar 
parts of gymnasium apparatus because of its ability to stand hard 
usage. White elm, finished in imitation of oak and birch, is used 
for low-priced billiard tables. 
An average price of $30.24 per thousand board feet is reported for 
these uses. 
HANDLES. 
Elm is a suitable wood for handles because it is strong and service- 
able. It is particularly in demand for certain lands of handles, such 
as pike poles and cant-hook handles. Cork elm is well adapted for 
scythe snaths because of its strength and adaptability to bent work 
and because it takes a very smooth polish. Elm is not in favor for 
long handles, such as are used for hoes and hand rakes. It is light 
and strong, but its tendency to warp and twist when it absorbs 
moisture is a decided disadvantage. Ash is preferred for such uses. 
The average price reported for elm used for handles is $17.35. 
TOYS. 
More than 2,000,000 feet of elm is reported as used for toys each 
year. Much of it goes into children's wagons and sleds. 
The average cost reported for this purpose is $26.61 per thousand 
feet. 
LAUNDRY APPLIANCES. 
The good scrubbing and wearing qualities of elm when kept in 
contact with water make it popular material for parts of washing 
machines, washboards, and wash benches. 
For these uses $26.96 per thousand feet is the average cost at 
the factory. 
