Wood carving began as a necessity in America and developed into an art. Because of the lac

k of other materials, early settlers were forced to make tools and utensils out of the wood. At first these articles were whittled with a knife, but when pioneer craftsmen set up their primitive shops most of them were fashioned on a lathe - a machine which holds an object and rotates it while it is being shaped by a tool.

However, even after Massachusetts-born Thomas Blanchard designed a lathe which could turn irregular shapes - an innovation that made possible mass production of gun-stocks, shoe lasts, oblong and square wooden ware - craftsmen who could use knife and chisel skill- fully were still in demand. Some found ready employment in shops of cabinet makers and chairmakers, while others carved decoys. Still others specialized in creating shop signs, ship figureheads, or in decoration interior woodwork. A few even accepted commissions to make busts of prominent citizens.

The first settlers used wood for their utensils and tools because it was ______.

A．durable

B．inexpensive

C．available

D．attractive