Commercial Ugeg of Englemlnn Spruce

nishes makes it ideal for fabricated products such as picture frames, toys, novelties, etc.

A simple listing of the properties of Engelmann Spruce gives a key to its versatility in use' At 12-15 per cent moisture content, it weighs 23 pourr<ls per cullic foot-one of the lightest of the comnlercially important softwoods' Dried frorn a green state to 12-15 per cent moisture, its volumetric shrinkage is only 5.2 per cent. Specific gravity is .33 at 12 per cent, making it one of the lcast dense of the softwoods and one of the bcst insulators.

The wood is relatively strong for its light weight' It is straight grained, does not split or warp easily and machines well to a smooth, silken surface. Texture is soft and uniform. Nail-holding ability is comparable to the western pines and it takes and holds paints an<l other covering arrd coloring treatmcnts with rcmarkablc facility.

'I'hc u,o<lrl is odortess an<l tasteless, fitting it for use in footl containers. It is ratcd in the topmost group of all softwoods in ability to takc arrtl hold glues.

Ilut perhaps the most otttstitn<ling featurc of lingelmann Spruce lumbcr ft-rr finish work is its bright appcarance. .I'ale of{-rvhite in color and bearing light color knots, the woo<l is highly dcsired for paneling in modern homes u,hcre pastel tints are popular. The brightness of the knots means that even lo'rver grade commons have a smooth appearance.

Englemann Spruce, an unheralded member of the associated woods of the Western Pines, is all too freqtrently overlooked by lumber buyers. Coml>ining versatility with ccononry, it is one clf finest gencral utility species available in the country today.

Possessing neither the brutc strength of I)ouglas Fir nor the production volurne to gain it the popular favor of the three Western Pines, Engelmann Spruce is nevertheless adaptable to many of the construction, industrial and specialty purposes of the better known species.

For light f raming, sheathing, subflooring, scafiolding, roof decking and other miscellaneous building uses, it furnishes good service at minimum cost. Light in weight and easy to handle, it finds a host of industrial ttses. Its exceptionally light color and adaptability to paints and var-

Its uses in residential construction extend from sheathing to sicling and into paneling, woodwork and built-ins. Readily handled and worked on the job, it is excellent for carpcnter-built flour and sugar bins, food 'containers, bread lloards, cloths chests, china closets, shelving, tallle tops, kitchen cupboards, medicine chests, etc. It forms economical antl serviceable drop, bevel and bungalow siding because of its resistance to splitting and light coloring which requires fe'iver coats of paint to cover. It is well liked for rnoulding, casing, base, wainscoting and window frames.

Farmers like tight-knotted Engelmann Spruce boards for their versatility. Their light weight, split resistance and nail-holding ability fits them for gates, fencing hayrack bottoms, small enclosures, bracing and the myriad of other miscellaneous purposes about the farm.

The rvood has ideal physical and mechanical properties for ,containers of all kinds. Its freedom from pitch, odor and taste makes it an excellent material for food containers for butter, lard meat, fish, eggs, bakery goods, crackers, candy, coffee, spices, etc.

In industry, Englemann Spru.ce is used for snow fencing, billboards, signs, theatre scenery strips, fence pickets, garden furniture such as gates, tables, benches, pergolas, arbors and trellis lattice. Carefully selected clear stock has been used successfully in airplane construction, musical instruments and other highly exacting uses.

Other miscellaneous articles into which Engelmann Spruce is fabricated include caskets and coffins, matches and toothpicks, patterns and flasks, picture frames, play_ ground equipment, shade and map rollers, tanks and silos, sporting goods, trunks and valises, and woodenware.

More than 30 million board feet of Engelmann Spruce are manufactured annually in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. Standing sawtimber inventory is estimated at more than 25 billion feet. In the Western Pine Region Engelmann Spruce is manufactured with precision, carefully seasoned and is frequently avail_ able in mixed cars together with an assortment of the Western Pines.

Los Angeles Building Permits in May

Near All-Time Hish

Building permits in Los Angeles during the month of May totaled $47,415,719, the second highesi for any month in_ the city's history. August, 194g, set the peak *h"r, p"r_ mits totaling $61,250,580 were issued.

For the year's five completed months, building permits totaled $152,258,406 in value, as contrasted with $11O,OOO,_ 235 for the like period in 1949.

Of the 6,391 permits issued in May, 2,99g with a valua_ tion of $20,375,662 were for dwelling units.

During the month 2,076 housing units were qompleted. increasing the total for the year to IO/4l.

R.O.W. Removable \(/ood \(/indows Are Nationally Advertised

The retail lumberman who handles R.O.W. Removable Wood Windows now has the advantage of selling a nation_ ally advertised article. It is estimated that 10 milrion women and four million men will read the R.O.W. adver_ tisements in Ladies' Home Journal, Better Homes and Gardens, American Home, and Small Homes Guide. In addition R.O.W. Windows are advertised in Sunset.

The distributors, T. M. Cobb Company in Southern Cali_ fornia, and California Builders Supply Co. in Northern California, say that more and more architects are specifying R.O.W. Window Units on their iobs.