Paragraph 39. For many years hickory has been one of the best known of all of our native timbers. The most familiar variety is the shell-bark hickory, so named from the tendency of the tree to shed its outside rough bark. The wood is very strong, heavy and hard and is probably the toughest wood that grows in this country. On account of its straight grain it splits straight and readily and this makes it of great importance in the making of shaved handles and certain parts of wagons and carriages. The wood of the hickory tree is almost white in color. It must be carefully dried to prevent shrinking and checking. It dries slowly because of its compact nature. Hickory does not stand well under exposure to weather conditions. It is very badly attacked by insects and will be rendered completely worthless by them if great care is not exercised.