UTILIZATION OF BLACK WALNUT. 63 
or one-eighth inch thick. This will stand more wear than the thinner 
sliced veneer if hard usage is involved. The top may also have a 
small bent rim of walnut along the edge to cover the core. Table 
rims are usually made of three or four plies, each, about one-fourth 
inch thick. These may be of walnut or covered over with walnut 
veneer. 
Buffet and serving-table tops are made of three or five plies. They 
may be plain, but more often they have stripe and cross figure. 
Doors and drawer fronts of buffets and serving tables are also made 
of three or five plies and they generally show some figure. Small 
drawer fronts are often of highly figured crotch or burl. The ends 
of such pieces are generally of plain wood, except in very expensive 
stock. Doors in furniture of high grade have a ply of walnut ve- 
neer on the back and an edge of walnut. 
Plain rotary-cut walnut veneer is used also for drawer sides and 
bottoms. China closets are usually made of plain wood. The shelves 
are more often made of some cheaper wood with the front edge of 
walnut veneer. 
In bedroom furniture the same general style of finish is used. 
Built-up tops may be plain, but more often they have some figure. 
Drawer fronts and panels are made of three or five plies, and, if 
they are conspicuously placed, figured effects are often made use of, 
including stump wood and burl. 
Legs, corner posts, and mirror frames are to a very large extent 
made of solid pieces of other woods, except in the manufacture of 
the most highly priced furniture. In very expensive pieces such parts 
as the corner posts are veneered in order to secure the desired figure. 
In low-priced walnut furniture the ends and other inconspicuous 
parts are entirely of less expensive woods. 
The best panels in common use are made of five plies. The core 
is of some such wood as oak, quarter-sawed red gum, birch, chestnut, 
basswood, or yellow poplar. This should be constructed of narrow 
pieces to prevent warping, and the two plies on either side should 
be so laid that the grain in the ply next to the core is at right angles 
to that of the outside ply and that of the core. This method makes 
a strong panel and minimizes the effects of shrinking and swelling. 
A small piece of highly figured veneer, usually stump wood, crotch, or 
burl, is often placed upon the center of a large panel of plain or 
striped wood. This is called an " overlay " and is popular at the 
present time. An " overlay " of walnut burl or crotch is sometimes 
used on mahogany furniture. It is stained to match the mahogany 
panel and is regarded as adding much to the attractive appearance 
of the mahogany. Maple burl is sometimes used as an "overlay" 
panel with walnut. 
