A machine is made that prints the grain and splash line figure of quartered oak on other woods. This work is also extended to wall paper in various shades to imitate oak with several different finishes. This process involves an exact reproduction of oak by making the-die or printing plate direct from the wood itself. The work was extended to the reproduction of other woods, including more particularly mahogany, hut it has finally settled down till it is to be seen mainly in the reproduction of quartered oak figure. It is applied to plain woods, like white gum or elm, as it makes a better appearance, possibly, than the natural wood without figure, but does not take a finish that will qualify it for comparison with the real article. The greatest harm this can do is to lessen the favor of the real quartered oak because of the prevalence of this rather gaudy imitation, which is being sold as "American oak." This is confusing to the buyer because the best of quartered oak is purchased in this country. On the other hand, America produces no genuine mahogany, so the term "American mahogany" is easily understood as being only an imitation in stained American wood. Therefore the so-called American oak should he called nothing else than the imitation oak. One dealer made the statement "that he had been in business two years before he could tell the difference, the imitation being so perfect." The public demands, in some respect, the artistic figure; at the same time the greater preference is for the less gaudy and for the figures in wood that are more restful to the eye and less disturbing to the senses. The retailer makes the demand by unloading a lot of such goods in homes of uneducated people who are usually attracted by advertisements that set forth "terms."

How To Detect It

To detect this imitation oak, simply turn the article so it can be seen on the under side and one can easily determine whether or not it is the real or genuine quartered oak, or the imitation oak termed "American oak," as that side will show no such graining.