Elements of woodwork

by Charles A. King

Cypress may be obtained in boards of almost any dimensions, and if it were stronger and harder, it would be one of our best woods for framing and finishing. It is used for the latter purpose to a considerable extent, as it has a handsome grain, and will take a polish well; if thoroughly seasoned, it will hold its shape as well as any wood. If it is seasoned slowly, it does not crack to an appreciable extent, but if forced, it is apt to be filled with fine shakes. Sap is not considered a blemish.

Cypress grows in the swamps and along the rivers of the Southern states, the best of it coming from those bordering on the gulf.

(M.) Elm (dec.) is a moderately hard wood, difficult to split. It warps and checks to some extent in drying, but when well seasoned it holds its shape as well as most woods in common use. It is susceptible to a good polish, and is used a great deal for interior finish and furniture, as it takes a stain well. Much of the quartered oak used in the manufacture of cheap furniture grew upon an elm stump. It is used largely in cooperage, and stands contact with the soil satisfactorily.

The elm is found in nearly all parts of the United States, but is more abundant east of the Mississippi river.

(N.) Gum (dec.), or, as it is more generally known, sweet gum, is extensively used for interior finish upon the better class of buildings. It warps and shrinks badly unless thoroughly seasoned, in which condition it is a very satisfactory wood. It is tough and strong, cross-grained, and of fine texture; its color is a warm, reddish brown, and it finishes handsomely. The gum tree grows abundantly in the Southern states.

(O.) Hemlock (con.) is found in most of the Northern states, and is used for scantlings, rough boards, under floors, and for boarding preparatory to siding. It is a fairly durable wood, but splits easily, and is apt to be full of wind shakes. It holds nails firmly.

(P.) Hickory (dec.) is the hardest native wood in common use, and the toughest wood that we have; it is too hard to be used for building material. It is flexible, and its principal use is for wagon and carriage work, and for other purposes where bent wood and great strength is required. As it does not split easily, it is much used in the manufacture of tool handles. It is liable to attacks from boring insects, and these pests often destroy much valuable timber.

Sap is not considered a defect, and the sapwood is in fact the most desirable part of the tree, on account of its creamy whiteness and great strength.

(Q.) Locust (dec.) is found in nearly all parts of the country, and is a useful and durable wood. It is much used for fence posts and, in damp locations, for railway ties, and sometimes for furniture, as it has a yellowish brown color which takes a polish well.

(R.) Maple (dec.) is a heavy, strong wood, nearly white, with a yellow or brownish tinge. There are several kinds of maple, but the kind generally used for commercial purposes is the sugar or rock maple. It does not shrink excessively, seasons without serious checking, and from it a very fine surface for polishing may be obtained. It is much used in places where it is exposed to wear, as in floors, butchers’ tables, etc., and to a considerable extent as a cabinet wood, and for interior finish. Maple does not resist decay as well as do some other woods.