REPORT OF THE FORESTER. 189 



a commercial scale; and completion of the investigations of the fun- 

 damental processes in the manufacture of soda pulp. 



The work of the laboratory has reached a point at which an increase 

 of force and equipment is much needed for an adequate handling of 

 important and urgent problems, especially those relating to the 

 lumber and the pulp and paper industries. 



INDUSTRIAL INVESTIGATIONS. 



In cooperation with the Bureau of the Census and with the National 

 Lumber Manufacturers' Association, respectively, statistics were col- 

 lected showing the production of lumber in 1914 and the production 

 of lumber, lath, and shingles in 1915. A preliminary report was 

 published in April, 1916. The production of lumber in 1914, as 

 reported by 27,506 active sawmills, amounted to 37,346,023,000 

 board feet, a decerase of approximately 2.5 per cent as compared 

 with 1913. The production in 1915, based on preliminary figures, 

 amounted to 37,013,294,000 board feet, though mills not accounted 

 for may have cut enough to bring the total for the year to 

 38,000,000,000 board feet. 



In cooperation with the American Wood Preservers' Association, 

 a report was compiled showing the consumption of wood preserva- 

 tives by the treating plants of the United States. This report, the 

 most complete of its kind yet issued, showed the progress of wood 

 preservation, the relative demand for different preservatives, amount 

 of timber treated by species and classes of material, and quantity of 

 imported and domestic creosote consumed. It also pointed out the 

 sources of supply and indicated to consumers of forest products the 

 economy possible through the use of treated material. Statistics 

 were also obtained, in cooperation with the association, showing the 

 purchase of railroad ties and telephone and telegraph poles during 

 1915. 



The wood-waste exchange, established for the purpose of aiding 

 wood-using establishments in the closer utilization of wood waste, 

 developed rapidly during the year. The cooperators now number 

 over 500, many of whom have reported successful purchases or sales 

 of wood waste through the medium of the exchange. 



Quarterly records of lumber prices for the important commercial 

 woods were compiled. These data are useful in making timber 

 appraisals and answering general correspondence regarding the values 

 of the various grades of lumber in the different regions. 



Kecords of current stumpage sales were kept, the data being 

 obtained through correspondence with bona fide buyers and sellers 

 of stumpage. Stumpage values are of especial value in connection 

 with the sale of timber on the National Forests. 



A report was prepared on American woods available for export 

 containing information of use to American consuls and prospective 

 foreign purchasers of American lumber. The report contains a list 

 of approximately 700 firms which supplied the Forest Service with 

 satisfactory data regarding the kinds of wood available for export, 

 the form in which the product is exported, including dimensions of 

 stock, and the ports from which shipment may be made. 



