The entire world depends on the United States for handles made from these woods.

Handle dealers are now willing to pay high prices for ash and hickory timber.

Some of them prepared for the shortage by buying tracts of hardwood timber.

When these reserves are cut over, these dealers will be in the same position as the rest of the trade.
Ash and hickory are in demand also by the vehicle and agricultural implement industries.

They also use considerable oak and compete with the furniture industry to secure what they need of this timber.