willows: their growth, use, and importance. 33 
The wood of finest appearance is from the southern black willow, 
which comes in the market in two forms, the black and red heart- 
wood. In the south the willow grows to be a forest tree, often with 
a clear length of over 50 feet, from the heartwood of which it is possible 
to cut a good many bolts large enough, even when quartered, for any 
requirement. The wood is clearer than the other species, and 
although several manufacturers declare it to be less tough and durable, 
it is very little, if any, inferior, provided it is cut at the proper time 
and thoroughly seasoned. 
CUTTING AND SEASONING THE WOOD. 
The consensus of opinion among manufacturers seems to be that 
the wood for artificial limbs should be cut in the winter. All, how- 
ever, do not agree on this point. One claims that willow blocks cut 
in July and properly handled are as good as any he ever used. Most 
manufacturers consider it necessary for the wood to season for from 
one to three years, although an occasional exception to this rule is 
found. The trees used are generally large enough to allow the log 
sections to be quartered and still be 6 inches or over through the 
section. This would take a tree 12 inches or over in diameter. In 
a few cases the wood from smaller trees is used. Round blocks are 
not desirable, however, being apt to check because when they are 
worked the hollow portion generally corresponds too nearly to the 
annual rings. Only a very small portion of a tree cut for this purpose 
is utilized. Since the blocks must be quartered from straight logs 
free from knots, the average willow tree, especially when grown in 
the open, furnishes less than 10 feet of merchantable material. 
Trees that yield but one 4-foot section are often cut. The bark is 
generally removed at the time of cutting and splitting, but it may be 
left on the sticks until they are ready to be worked up. It is desirable 
to split the logs as soon as they are cut, as, otherwise, they may so 
check in drying as to spoil a portion of the wood. Many manufac- 
turers also paint the ends of the sticks to prevent rapid drying and 
consequent splitting. It is also a common practice to bore a hole 
in the end for the same purpose. The wood is then stacked in a 
dry shed or left where there is a free circulation of air. The blocks 
are piled on dry wooden slats, so that they do not touch each other. 
Even after the blocks are treated in this manner there is often a loss 
of 10 to 30 per cent of the sticks, due to defects and rot. 
The length of the blocks varies from 8 to 20 inches. The sticks 
are, however, brought in in 4, 6, or even 8 foot lengths and recut 
later. Many manufacturers cut their blocks in 16, 18, and 20 inch 
lengths. In diameter they range from 5 to 12 inches. Blocks 6 
inches in diameter and 20 inches long weigh 9 or 10 pounds when dry. 
A block 5 inches in diameter and 16 inches long weighs about 7 
