352 THE CONIFERS (GYMNOSPERMS) — FORESTS 
cine and in making certain kinds of gunpowder : the poplars 
and basswood or linden give us excelsior, so useful in packing 
fragile articles and in making cheap upholstery. Turpen¬ 
tine, obtained from the pine trees, is used in paint and 
varnish. Thin sheets of the more beautiful kinds of wood 
are laid over the cheaper or less beautiful kinds in the form 
of veneer. Wood alcohol, so useful as fuel, is obtained from 
wood wastes, like sawdust and shavings. 
White pine was formerly the kind of pine most in demand 
as well as the most abundant. Now yellow pine is taking 
its place on account of the 
scarcity and high cost of 
white pine, although yel¬ 
low pine is slightly in¬ 
ferior. White oak is 
highly valued for interior 
finishing, floors, and furni¬ 
ture. Maple has a fine¬ 
grained, hard wood which 
is much prized for furni¬ 
ture and other purposes. 
Curly maple and bird’s- 
eye maple are valued as 
wood for veneer. The 
former has a wavy grain, and the latter has numerous glisten¬ 
ing points scattered through it, thought to be undeveloped 
adventitious buds. Black walnut, cherry, and mahogany are 
valuable for furniture. Hickory, elm, and ash are used for 
handles of tools and for parts of vehicles where toughness is 
required. Applewood, holly, and box are sought for turned 
articles. Cedar, larch, and cypress are used for posts and 
poles, and basswood for trunks and crates on account of its 
toughness, lightness, and elasticity. Poplar and catalpa are 
planted where shade is desired in a short time, on account 
of their rapid growth. 
