UTILIZATION OF BASS WOOD. 41 
reason much smaller quantities are now used in this industry than 
formerly. Red gum has been very largely substituted in embossed 
work. Basswood is still used to a large extent for plain moldings 
which are to be painted, and also as core material for moldings finished 
in highly figured veneers. It is said to be the most satisfactory core 
material available for this use. It is also well liked for carved mold- 
ings, because it cuts so well with tools. Illinois and New York were 
the principal States reporting basswood for these products. 
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. 
Basswood enters very largely into the manufacture of musical in- 
struments, chiefly pianos and organs. It is used mainly for interior 
small parts, for which its light weight and ability to hold its shape 
make it suitable. It is also much used for piano and organ cases. 
For organ bellows, wind chests, and swell boxes it is especially suited, 
because of its lightness, good working qualities, and freedom from 
warping. Basswood is the choice wood for piano and organ keys 
because of its whiteness, light weight, and good staying qualities. 
Only the highest grade of the wood, however, serves as piano-key 
stock. This is selected white wood which is seasoned with much care, 
since a small amount of warping in the key may interfere with its 
action. 
Basswood also goes into the construction of phonograph cabinets, 
in the form of cores for the panels finished in mahogany, walnut, and 
oak veneers. Stock of small dimensions can often be utilized in this 
way. 
Basswood is employed for necks of mandolins, for violin cases, and 
for other such uses. The principal States using basswood for musical 
instruments are New York, Illinois, Connecticut, Michigan, and Ohio. 
The highest average cost reported for basswood by the industry 
indicates that a high grade of stock was purchased for this class of 
uses. This average cost was more than double that reported by the 
box-and-crate and woodenware industries for basswood, and nearly 
50 per cent more than that reported for furniture. 
TOYS. 
Basswood is highly valued by toy makers because of its good 
working, staying, and finishing qualities, on account of which it is the 
principalwood used in the United States, both for toys made entirely 
of wood and for the wooden parts of metal toys. It is not only used 
in greater quantities, but enters into the manufacture of more kinds 
of toys than any other species. Among the most common toys are 
wagons and buggies, in which basswood is used for the bottoms. 
Other toys in the same class which use much basswood are sleds, 
automobiles, and wheelbarrows. . Hobbyhorses and small toy ani- 
