UTILIZATION OF BLACK WALNUT. 87 
Walnut is a suitable wood for railway ties, fence posts, and fire- 
wood, but only small and defective material is ordinarily converted 
into these products. 
The price of walnut lumber has increased greatly during recent 
years, and the same thing is true of the price of such other cabinet 
woods as red gum, white oak, and birch. These prices have also ef 
fected a great increase in the price of logs. During the war, on 
account of the unprecedented demand for walnut, much small and 
defective material was accepted. Logs 14 inches and over in diame- 
ter and at least fairly clear are now generally specified. The in- 
creased expense of logging and of freight has been an added faotor 
in making the cost of logs higher than before the war. 
Owners of walnut timber can dispose of their trees to best advan- 
tage to walnut lumber and veneer manufacturers, and to factories 
that purchase walnut in the log form. Figured walnut is more valu- 
able than plain. Walnut firms do not, as a rule, publish a fixed scale 
of prices and log grades, the price generally being set by the log 
buyer. 
Although the present very high market price of the timber may 
not be maintained, walnut will always be in demand, and will bring- 
good prices because of the intrinsic value of the wood. Owners of 
timber tracts containing walnut will generally find it profitable to 
favor the young growth of this timber over that of less valuable 
species. 
