Seasoning 
Banak is said to dry without serious warping or checking, and holds 
its shape well. 
Working Q,ualitics 
"It cuts easily with hand and power saws and a good surface is ob- 
tainable with jack and smoothing planes, "both along and across the grain. 
Good clear holes are readily obtained with brad awl, gimlet, center bit, 
and twist drill, v:ithout tendency to split. Nails and screws can be driven 
into the wood easily without splitting it and hold fairly well. It cuts 
with facility in a mortising machine and works easily with gouge and 
chisel. The wood turns satisfactorily, though the fibers tear slightly, 
and a good finish is obtainable. It absorbs glue well, can be stained 
without difficulty to resemble mahogany fairly well and gives satisfactory 
results in polishing and varnishing. It holds its place when manufac tared, 
does not warp or check, and is very free from many knots and other defects" 
(2, l±). 
Uses 
Both veneers and solid lumber have proved satisfactory for general 
utility purposes. One use is for drawer bottoms (^) . 
Marketing Information 
The early attempts at marketing the Virolas were not highly success- 
ful. One of the difficulties came from "pin worm" damage from boring 
beetles going deeply into the wood soon after it was cut. Quick removal 
from the forest after felling appears to be essential. The dry wood was 
not found to be attacked by the borers. 
Kept. -. . I. ' _ 5 _ 
