Logwood is met with in commerce in the shape of large blocks, averaging
about four hundred pounds each in weight. On the surface the wood is
a dirty deep brown red, but within, where it has not come in contact
with the atmosphere, its color is much brighter. The tree is a native
of South America. It has been known and used ever since a short period
after the discovery of America. During the twenty-third year of the
reign of Queen Elizabeth an act of Parliament was passed, forbidding
its use as a dyestuff, because it did not yield fast colors. This act
was repealed, however, by an Order in Council of Charles II., which
proceeds to set forth that great improvements have been made as regards
the obtaining of fast colors from logwood. The following are the
chief varieties of logwood, distinguished by names derived from the
localities of exportation: Yucatan, Laguna, Domingo, Monte Christo,
Fort Liberte, Jamaica, etc.
Logwood is to-day one of our most important dyewoods, as indeed it
enters in feather dyeing into all of the dark or staple colors, such as
black, navy blue, brown, green, garnet, etc. To extract the substance
requires considerable boiling, especially if used in the form of chips;
if it is used ground, which is by far preferable to chips in feather
dyeing, it requires much less boiling to extract the substance. The
dyer will often find logwood, that, although purchased under the name
of a most excellent brand, will be far inferior to what he has been
using, in which case it is well to look for an adulteration of some
sort, which it is not at all easy to detect, only when it does not
produce the desired result.