UTILIZATION OF BLACK WALNUT. 49 
and this removes most of the sapwood. The smaller logs are handled 
advantageously in this way. 
If there is sapwood on the edges of the veneer sheets it is trimmed 
off with the exception of about 1 inch. During the cutting of the 
sheets, the veneer from each log is piled and kept by itself, and in the 
same order as it came from the log. In selling this veneer, about 
four samples are taken from the veneer sheets from each log in differ 
ent parts of the pile. 
Special dimension veneer is straight sliced from clear blocks sawed 
from the log. These blocks are usually 4 to 6" inches thick, 1 foot 
wide, and 2^ to 6 feet long, and may be sliced down to a thickness of 
three-fourths inch. This procedure involves much less slicing, and 
the sheets obtained are practically clear of defects. The method is 
not largely used, however, and is, on the whole, adapted to making 
plain veneer only, because the panel maker must choose and match his 
figured stock from large sheets of veneer. In the usual straight- slice 
process the flitch is so clamped in the machine that it may be cut 
down to a thickness of about 2 inches. Most slicers are made to take 
flitches as long as 10 to 12 feet. The longest slicer will take a flitch 
about 16 feet in length. These machines for cutting cabinet-wood 
veneers are built very heavy, in order that a smooth, clean cut of 
uniform thickness may be made. 
Sawed veneer. — Little sawed walnut veneer is manufactured. It 
is claimed that the sawed veneer is of a higher grade than the 
sliced. In the manufacture of sawed veneer the log is squared, and 
long sheets, usually one- twentieth inch in thickness, are sawed from 
it with a fine-toothed saw. Highly figured stock, including "butt" 
wood, is also sawed for veneers. High-grade sawed walnut veneer is 
used principally in Pullman cars. The highest grade is used in 
private railway cars. The plain veneer is used mainly for door stiles, 
rail stock, and table tops. This veneer is generally about one-six- 
teenth to one-eighth inch thick, and is used because of the greater 
wear to which such stock is subjected. 
Burls. — Walnut burls are made into veneer by special methods of 
handling that depend on the size and form of burl, the quality of 
wood, and the kind of figure. The burl is first cut into several pieces, 
as an apple is cut, and may then be made into veneer by sawing, 
straight slicing, or rotary slicing. The kind of product and its value 
depend very largely upon the way in which it is handled. To get the 
most out of a burl requires much care and experience. 
Thickness of veneer. — The most common thickness for walnut 
veneer at the present time is one twenty-eighth inch. Some firms use 
one-thirtieth inch, and thus make more veneer from a given quantity 
7434°— 20 4+5 
