72 BULLETIN 909, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
purpose it is admirably suited. The wood has a slightly coarse 
texture and can be gripped well by the hand; moreover, it does not 
become either rough or slippery from wear. The dark color of the 
heartwood also precludes its presenting a soiled appearance. As they 
are made in sections, which are dovetailed and glued together, very 
strong, serviceable rims are produced. The dash or instrument board 
of certain makes of automobiles is covered with figured walnut veneer, 
which gives a pleasing appearance. For this use, waterproof glue is 
required, because this part of the car is frequently exposed to the 
weather. In general, a high grade of walnut is used for these pur- 
poses. 
Battery boxes also are made of walnut. These boxes must be 
strong, tight, and serviceable. They are dovetailed and glued at the 
joints, and wooden dowels are also used to prevent their coming 
apart. The sides and bottoms are one-half to nine-sixteenths inch 
in thickness. Walnut makes a strong tight box, is not liable to warp, 
and is not soiled so readily as most other woods. The walnut used 
in the manufacture of these boxes is mostly No. 2 common and cull, 
five-eighths inch thick. 
CHAIRS AND CHAIR STOCK. 
Black walnut is used for chairs of all kinds, except very cheap 
ones, but it appears to best advantage in the large and ornamental 
kinds seen in club and lodge rooms, offices, hotel lobbies, and public 
waiting rooms. Its dignified and pleasing appearance makes it ap- 
propriate for such locations. It is also used to match high-grade 
walnut furniture, particularly dining-room chairs. It is used almost 
entirely in the form of lumber and dimension stock for this pur- 
pose. A small overlay of highly figured walnut veneer or burl is 
sometimes used to match the other pieces. Yeneer is also employed 
to some extent for large and very expensive chairs in order to get 
some special figured effect. 
CAR CONSTRUCTION. 
About 1 per cent of the total amount of black walnut reported 
for factory use was utilized in the construction of railway and street 
cars. Practically all of it was used for the interior finish of Pull- 
man cars, and mainly for the large panels. For such uses highly 
figured veneer is well adapted and largely employed on account of 
the beautiful effects that may be secured and because of its excellent 
finishing qualities. The most expensive veneers, particularly those 
from crotch and stump wood, are used in private cars. On the 
average a high grade of walnut is used in car construction. 
