is necessary, of course, for the operator to thoroughly understand the nature of the wood that is being treated, this varying considerably in the different kinds of wood and in the same woods grown in different localities, and for this reason, this treatment can best be administered at point of production, on account of the operator handling only timber from the same locality, thus giving him a greater knowledge of the peculiarities of the wood that he is treating.

When properly administered on oak, Kraetzer-curing does much to reduce the checking tendency of this wood, the lumber is less inclined to warp, and it makes it more uniform in color, and of a soft, even texture that works easily and stays where it is put.

On gum, the results of this treatment are really wonderful, practically eliminating all of the objectionable features of this wood and making available, at a moderate price, a wood of great beauty, which heretofore was difficult to use, because of its propensity to warp.

It must not be imagined that the steaming of lumber

will make up for abuses to which lumber is subjected by reason of improper handling. In fact, the handling and piling of lumber so treated must be given the very closest attention, as only in this way can the best results be attained. Some manufacturers of lumber, prompted by ideas of false economy, after having invested in the necessary equipment to steam lumber under pressure, have sought to limit their cash expenditures on their yard, storage and sticking systems, with the result that they have lost any advantages that might have been gained by the steaming of their product.

As is well known, all lumber and wood that is bent is first steamed. After being thoroughly steamed it is bent to the desired position and allowed to dry, and the lumber remains in the position in which it is put. In Kraetzercuring, the lumber is subjected to practically the same treatment, except that it is desired to keep the lumber straight and flat instead of bending it in some unnatural position. It will be seen, therefore, that in order to keep the lumber in this perfect condition it is necessary to so

stick it that it will have proper support on the stickers, and will lie perfectly flat and straight in the piles. This is the first essential in the proper handling and seasoning of Kraetzer-cured lumber, and indeed may apply to all lumber. To accomplish this, the Kraetzer-Cured Lumber Company, in order to have a perfect foundation to begin on, piles its lumber on steel "I" beams, these being placed on top of the trucks on which the lumber is stacked and stored. The stickers which are used are uniform in size, and are of minimum size, 1 inch square, to facilitate the passage of the air through the piles. In order to properly support the boards and keep them perfectly straight, seven of these stickers are used on 12 ft. lumber, eight on 14 ft. lumber, and nine on 16 ft. lumber. The next essential is the perfect alignment of these sticks, and this is obtained by sticking the lumber in forms, using only the highest skilled workmen for this purpose, and giving a monthly prize for the best work done. The result obtained is practically perfect sticking of lumber, which in turn results in lumber that is straight and flat and free from warp.

Another matter of great importance in the seasoning

of lumber is to provide proper circulation. This cannot be obtained by piling the lumber on the ground, or slightly elevated above the ground as is customary. At the plant under consideration the lumber is piled on the trucks with a side elevation instead of an end elevation; that is, one side of the pile, which is 6 ft. in width, is elevated 12 inches higher than the order side. This offers a decided advantage over the usual method, since an opening higher at one end than at the other creates a draft through such an opening, so that by this method the constant passage of live, moving air is secured, entirely unobstructed, from the low to the high side of the pile. This cannot be obtained in lumber piled in the ordinary manner, because, while one end of the lumber may be piled higher than the other end, the passage of this air is obstructed by the stickers. The lumber is also piled in such manner that there is a minimum air space between the edges of all boards of 4 inches. This piling, as previously explained, is done at the sorting dock before the lumber is put into the preparator, and remains in this condition until it is loaded on the cars for shipment to the consumer.

After the lumber comes from the preparator it is run out on elevated storage tracks. There are 78 of these tracks, each taking care of a certain grade, thickness and kind of lumber, the aggregate length of these approximating slightly in excess of two miles. These tracks are all constructed on concrete piers, are built 4 ft. above the ground, so that with the truck and the steel "I" beam foundations on the truck there is a clear air space below each pile of lumber of approximately 5 ft. The initial investment in this equipment and yard system is considerable, but the results that were observed in the condition of the lumber handled clearly established the wisdom of the expenditures made, for similar results would be impossible of attainment in any other manner.

The lumber remains on these storage tracks until ready for shipment, being left on the truck on which originally piled, and not being disturbed or rehandled in any way.

visitor. He starts in the woods of a forest primeval where magnificent trees are being cut in the interest of modern commercialism. They are not being cut in a haphazard manner, but are being selected and felled with care. After being felled, they are cut into logs, on the ends of which is applied a liquid solution for the purpose of preventing any deterioration. Almost immediately they are skidded to the private railroad by steam skidders and loaded to the cars by steam log rollers.

Then the visitor takes a ride to the mill, and here observes that once the log is on a car it never touches the ground again. He further observes that no man working here does any work that it is possible for machinery to do. The logs are mechanically pulled up an incline into the mill, where they are sawed into boards, but not before being examined by an expert, who determines into what class of boards the log should be sawed.

Each storage track leads to the railroad loading track, and as the newly treated lumber is put on one end of the track and the loading is done at the other end, it will be observed that the dryest lumber is always at the front end, or at the point where the lumber is loaded. In this manner all drayage or hauling of lumber, or re-handling of same is entirely eliminated. As the lumber is loaded on cars for shipment, another inspection is made, and such lumber as may have escaped observation or may have, through mistake, gotten into the wrong piles, as well as that which may have deteriorated in drying, is eliminated. The inspection is given very close and careful attention and every possible effort throughout the entire handling is made to eliminate errors.

Any one interested in the use of hardwood lumber, even in the slightest degree, will find a visit to this operation highly instructive, and the management assured the writer that any visitor would be cordially received, no matter whether that visitor be a prospective customer or a seeker after knowledge in the scientific production of lumber.

Before bringing this description to a close, let us consider some of the salient features to be observed by the

The boards pass through the sorting shed on conveyor chains and are given two inspections. Then they are piled on lumber trucks, each grade on a separate truck, and put through the Kraetzer preparator, where they receive the scientific treatment of steaming under pressure. This process insures a product uniform in color, and eliminates the tendency to check, warp and honeycomb.

As the visitor noticed that the log never touched the ground when once it was on a car, so he now observes that the lumber itself at no time ever touches the ground. It goes into the preparator on a truck, and as it comes out it is moved on the same truck to the storage track, where it remains until it is loaded to larger cars for freight shipment. This makes for efficiency in the elimination of rehandling one or more times, so common in most yards, and because of this fact does away with breakage or strain that reduced the grade of the product. If this operation did not have a thoroughly modern equipment, and yet piled its lumber with the care it does, the yard alone would be worthy of much comment in these columns. The Kraetzer preparator is not a dry kiln, though in addition to its other qualifications, it

does much to hasten the drying of the lumber. It is the kind of pile and the care exercised in sticking that makes this yard worth the study of every furniture manufacturer, or, indeed, any other remanufacturer of lumber.

First consider the sticker, which in most yards is considered as a necessary evil and given little consideration. This company uses what has been decided to be an ideal sticker by several concerns. This is one inch square. In many a yard can be found tier after tier in which the stickers in one tier range from a half inch to one and one-half inch in thickness, and from three-fourths inch to four inches in width. All stickers should be of even thickness. The one inch sticker will always lie the inch way, and therefore the course will lie straight. The moisture in the part of the board imprisoned between the stickers must either travel lengthwise of the board or else through the sticker to reach the surface. So it will be seen that the wide sticker impedes drying and thereby starts rot and stain. The narrow sticker calls for more care in placing it, and because the displacement is more apparent, the tendency will be toward more accurate piling.

honest grades and truthful representations, and while it welcomes the patronage of the legitimate and honest dealer, it will not practice the substitution or manipulation of grades, nor will it be a party to any such transactions. In order to make impossible such practice with its product every board of lumber, as it is loaded, is marked, showing the grade for which it is shipped. This, with the brand on the lumber as described, prevents any deception or misrepresentation and protects fully the purchaser of any of its product, either direct or through lumber dealers or wholesalers.

Trade Notes

A manufacturing company will be organized in Delphos, Ohio, to build combination portable mantles, invented by F. E. Smith and J. L. Mat Martin.

The Hall & Lyon Furniture Co., Waverly, N. Y., has completed the installation of electrical power throughout its plant. The steam equipment hereafter will be used only for heating purposes.

The Sterling Desk Co., Grand Rapids, Mich., recently occupied its new plant at Front avenue and Myrtle street,

Next consider the piling in this yard where the lumber is piled with one edge, instead of the end, of the board raised. This makes a sidewise pitched pile that is level lengthwise. The air, which naturally rises, goes up the incline without being obstructed by the cross strips, because they run the same way as the air. Again notice another improvement. Heretofore the general tendency has been to place the boards with the edges close together, depending on the shrinkage to open them up. This is not sufficient. The very time that the lumber most needs the open space to facilitate circulation is when it is fresh piled. So here a space of four inches is left between the edges of each board. Observe further that the foundation of the storage tracks is of concrete, which is cheap, strong and durable, and that there is a clear air space below each pile of lumber of approximately 5 feet.

Finally the visitor sees a third inspection being made as the lumber is loaded for shipment-this and the branding; for, like many manufacturers in other lines, the company is anxious to protect its patrons and all users of hardwoods against deception and misrepresentation, and for this purpose every board as it is loaded is branded "The Kraetzer-Cured Lumber Company." It stands for

formerly the factory of the Interchangeable Fixtures Co. The property was remodeled and a new power house constructed after purchase by the Sterling Desk Co. last year. The factory on Prescott avenue, formerly occupied by the Sterling Desk Co., will house a new wood-working concern in which Nicholas J. Alt, formerly with the Macey Company, and Ignatz H. Batsche, of the Davies-Putnam Company, are interested.

The Faribault Furniture Co., of Faribault, Minn., has passed into the control of L. D. Harkins, who has purchased the interest of John Hutchinson, who succeeded to the interest of A. W. Stockton, following his death in 1903. Mr. Harkins was originally in the employ of the company, but secured an interest in the Waterville Furniture Co., at Waterville, Minn., where he remained for a couple of years, returning later to the Faribault Furniture Co., of which he has been virtually manager for several years now. The company operates a factory making bookcases, buffets and like things, and conducts a retail store. They also own and operate a mill which has always been particularly prosperous. F. B. Beach, who was long superintendent and designer of the company, retains his interest.

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I will be fur tro WORK #il the angsom ja in fuil sxing, until buyers begin to come in any numbers to either Grand Rapids or Chicago, and sul later before the bugers will begin to visit New York What they may do will be of unusual importance to manufacturers in the face of the experience during the past four or five months. During the month which has elapsed since the last survey of this character, the manufacturers have seented some slight indication of an improvement in demand. Dealers have sent in hurry-up condo for goods which gave indication that trade, after all, has been good with many of the retailers, and that stocks have been so steadily drawn on that some replenishment must take place during the buying season. In this condition is the present hope for the manufacturers. With the retailers hope and expectation spring from Another source entirely. A good deal of confidence has been inspired, particularly in the distinctively agricul tural districts of the country, by the crop reports which have been issued. The greatest wheat crop in the history of the country is one of the predictions. The harvest has already commenced in the districts where winter wheat grows, and will have begun, before this can reach the render, in the spring wheat district. Fully a month more must elapse before it can be completed. Weather conditions have remained particularly favorable since the government reports were issued. The prediction is for a crop of spring and winter wheat, which will total 900,000,000 bushels against 763,000,000 bushels last year. The estimate of the ont crop is 1,216,000,000, which is the preparation of many new patterns and the exhibitions ngainst 178,000,000 in 1913.

If these figures are realized it is certain that there will he trade in the districts where this crop is raised, for wheat is the one erop which turns readily into money, and the agricultural West is not so susceptible to the fear of adverse legislation, financial disturbance and things of that sort as is the East. The western retailers may not be seen in any number in the market places until well into July, but they are the men whose favor it will he well to cultivate at this time.

It is promised that the California fruit crop will nalise also $500,000,000. This, together with the near approach of the opening of the Panama-Pacific Exposition should make the demand from the Pacific Coast above normal

but outside of the tatered genters, and throughout the East, it is certain that the Mallers Lave had a very fair spring trade, but have drawn on stork because they share in the conservative feeling which has prevailed for many months past and which is voiced elsewhere.

Fewer bovers have visited the western manufacturing centers during the past month than is usually the case. Whether this is because the disposition was general to buy nothing beyond what was actually needed-including jobs-it is impossible to state. But many of the men who have been wont to make pilgrimages to the western manufacturing centers during the latter part of May and early June recently were gathered together by the Jamestown manufacturers, transported in a body to that city, entertained and returned to New York and other eastern cities. This may explain, and it may not explain.

But there will be no lack of endeavor upon the part of the manufacturers. Exhibits are to be as many as usual, and as elaborate as usual. Opportunity has permitted the preparation of many new patterns and the exhibitions in all the recognized markets will be more extensive tho ever. Which prompts the all-important question: Will the buyers come in corresponding numbers and will their confidence be fortified by the time they do come by the realized prosperity in their respective communities so that they will buy freely? We must wait and see. THE METAL MARKETS

Steel

Continued depression is the leading feature in the steel industry. Production is at a low ebb and new business is meager. Estimates of the volume of new business coming in vary from a quarter to a third of capacity. Naturally, the steel makers are blue in contemplation of the prospect. The industry as a whole is believed to be working on about 50 per cent. capacity. The chief factor is the absence of the railroads from the market, pending the rate decision. Their purchases have been confined to bare necessities for many months and no change is anticipated until the rate decision is rendered. Another factor which has the effect of restraining purchases is the steady downward tendency of prices in many steel products. especially noticeable in rolled steel. This is partly due to the keen anxiety of the smaller independent mills to obtain business, apparently at any price. In fact, most of the important tonnage has been absorbed by these smaller mills at prices from $1 to $2 a ton under the quotations of the big mills. The latter are in a better position as to resources and have shown a disposition to refuse even attractive contracts at further price oncessions. The larger factors in the industry seem disposed to make a strong stand for more profitable price levels, believing that the buying movement must begin 80077. The structural steel department held up well until the latter part of May when it slumped off materialy. Aside from municipal contracts there is very little business in this line. In the semi-finished steel line no farther e nessi vs have been reported, all ngl ther? is reason to believe that prices will be shaded In this departnant there has been active chering of freiga goods at prices noreibe from $1 to $ a ta below the fdmester is brides not appear that Stress Las been transacted.