UTILIZATION OF ELM. 23 
Considerable elm is made into bent rims for the circular sides of 
such articles as cheese boxes and round measures. The raw material 
is generally secured in the log, slabbed, and cut into planks up to 
4 inches thick, depending on the width of the rim to be cut from it. 
The planks are then steamed and sliced. The strips are next planed, 
steamed, put through rollers, and placed in a circular form which 
holds them in the desired shape until dry. Plate IV, fig. 2, shows 
rims for cheese boxes ready for shipment. In making these rims the 
softer grades of elm are used because of their ease in working. Cheese- 
box rims are also made from veneer cut directly from the log by the 
rotary process. 1 
Cork elm plays an important part in the manufacture of step- 
ladders, stepladder chairs, and stepladder stools. It is „ especially 
desirable for the top step of such ladders and for other pieces where 
there is considerable strain and the screws must hold very firmly 
and not work loose. Cork elm is a good wood for long ladders, 
especially for the rungs, where it is very serviceable. Tent pins 
and slides are made of rock elm because of its good wearing qualities. 
An average price of $16.85 per thousand board feet is reported for 
elm used in woodenware and dairymen's and poulterers' supplies. 
This is about the lowest price recorded for any one industry using 
elm and is due to its being obtained in the log and from local sources 
for the manufacture of such products as bent rims. Many other arti- 
cles included under this heading which take relatively small amounts 
pay a much higher price ; rock-elm lumber for ladder rungs, for instance, 
usually costs the factories about $30 a thousand board feet. 
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. 
A large quantity of elm goes into pianos and organs, in which it is 
utilized largely for the framework. Its cheapness in comparison to 
other suitable woods, its strength, ability to stand shock, and good 
gluing qualities recommend it especially for this industry. It is not 
used so much now as formerly on account of its increasing scarcity. 
It was formerly considered as the most desirable wood for posts and 
backs of pianos, and considerable is still used for these parts. 2 A 
comparatively high price per thousand feet ($33.62) is reported for 
elm in this industry, since high-grade material is required. 
REFRIGERATORS AND KITCHEN CABINETS. 
Elm is much used for kitchen furniture, for which over 13,000,000 
board feet are consumed annually. White elm is particularly 
adapted for kitchen cabinets and kitchen tables because it scours 
i Red oak is also used for rims, but is not so satisfactory. Birch is a fairly good wood for cheese-box sides. 
Black ash is sometimes used, but is not so suitable. Red gum has been tried, but its brittleness is a decided 
drawback. 
2 Hard and soft maple veneer glued together in alternate layers with a sheet of hard maple on the outside 
to give an attractive appearance has largely displaced elm for piano backs. Posts of hard maple are also 
used. 
