16 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



April 23. 1922 



Both of tlicse claims were so startling and revolutionary as to raise 

 serious doubts in the minds of the editors of Hardwood Record as to 

 their correctness. In fact, there is absolutely no reason for anyone 

 with any knowledge of the subject of kiln drying to consider them as 

 torrect. However, in order to oiiicially verify this conviction, a letter 

 was addressed to the Forest Products Laboratory at Madison, Wis., 

 quoting these two claims as made in the circular and asking for its 

 direct opinion on these two questions. 



A return reply was received immediately as follows: 



It is possible, by various special treatments, to produce wide varia- 

 tions in the shrinkage of lumber; we have even produced quite an 

 appreciable shrinkage with an actual gain in moisture content. We 

 have likewise been able to reduce the shrinkage very materially by 

 means of a very rapid surface drying. It may be stated, however, as 

 a broad, well-established principle, that the lumber dried in these 

 unusual and special ways is iwt satisfactory for remanufaeture into 

 tirst-elass products. One of the essentials of good drying is that the 

 stock shall come out of the kiln free from drying stresses and defects, 

 and this can not be done if the shrinkage be prevented. We strongly 

 recommend that no effort be made, in the drying, to ' ' save lumber ' ' 

 by impeding the shrinkage. 



Correctly dried lumber will swell and shrink with atmospheric 

 changes, whether it has been dried in the air or in the kiln, but the 

 amount of warping should be very small unless the atmospheric 

 changes are different on the different sides of the lumber. 



To recapitulate: The prevention of shrinkage in seasoning is not 

 good practice and does not yield good results. Swelling and shrinkage 

 take place in properly dried lumber with atmospheric changes. 



If this explanation is not sufficiently clear or definite, please let me 

 know. 



It is unfortunate that such misinformation is issued and particu- 

 larly unfortunate that it should be given any credence. It appears 

 that the Laboratory had received numerous inquiries on this subject 

 since the circular was issued, indicating that the ridiculousness of the 

 claims is not generally understood. 



The above are the official facts in the ease, and it should be gen- 

 erally recognized that the only way to kiln dry lumber to prevent 

 shrinkage is to use such incorrect methods of kiln drying as will ruin 

 the lumber, and secondly, that the laws of physics and the structure 

 of wood absolutely require that the volume of a piece of wood alter 

 with atmospheric changes. The reasons for these principles are more 

 fully established in a further article on the subject appearing in other 

 columns of this issue. 



The Value of Lumber Sponsorship 



No INDUSTRY IN HISTORY, except lumbering, has forged 

 ahead to such notable position without previously breaking 

 down the barriers and overcoming its isolation. In the lumber 

 industry that very fraternity of spirit which has always char- 

 acterized its membership has resulted as much from that isolation 

 as from the pioneering nature of the industry, which of necessity 

 has linked its personnel together. 



The long and romantic history of lumbering, inclusive of the 

 marketing of the product, has been marked by notable changes 

 which until rather recent years had not attained a degree of modern 

 development sufficient to dignify the industry at large as efficient 

 and progressive. The manufacture of lumber has advanced tre- 



mendously over the merchandising end of the business. In fact 

 the disparity in development became so marked as to compel atten- 

 tion within the industry, through which fact forward looking 

 achievements hav-e been consummated more or less recently. 



In reviewing the proceedings of the recent lumber congress at 

 (Uiicagd as recorded in the April 10th issue, one **ncounters many 

 noteworthy indications, but outstanding among these is the ex- 

 tremely favorable showing the indujtr> made in an informal dis- 

 cussion with Secretary of Commerce Hoover. Prefacing his address 

 before the congress, Secretary Hoover asked to be intimately 

 posted on those provisions which have been made by the industry 

 in relation to certain measures to protect the public as to grades, 

 quality, lumber measure, standardization, sizes, and other matters 

 of this sort, which are of necessity involved in modern and cor- 

 rect merchandising. 



The industry may very well feel a glow' of pride in the praise 

 worthy examples which were immediately and intelligently ex- 

 plained to Secretarj' Hoover. It goes without saying that as he 

 had presented to him descriptions of efficient merchandising 

 agencies providing for just that measure of public protection with 

 which he is concerned, and covering a substantial bulk of lumber 

 production and shipment, he must have attained an infinitely more 

 complimentary impression of the lumber industry than before he 

 attended the Chicago meeting. 



In years gone by about the only recognition which the lumber 

 industry gained from the public was concerned with actual or 

 fancied misdeeds in its relations with the ultimate buyer. Today 

 as a result of a very short period of intelligent study of true mer- 

 chandising within the industry, it is gaining every day in public 

 confidence as exemplified through the efficient service plans de- 

 scribed to Secretary Hoover, and this growing confidence in the 

 public mind is in no sense misplaced. 



Important Announcement 



A revised chart showing new rates on southern hardwood 

 lumber effective April 13, as prepared by the Southern Hard- 

 wood Traffic Association at Memphis, is being printed in its 

 oflicial form by HARDWOOD RECORD and will be mailed 

 under separate cover to aU subscribers by April 28. HARD- 

 WOOD RECORD wishes to emphasize that this is the only 

 issuance of these revised tariffs, and hence that this is the 

 only means offered for securing complete schedule of the new 

 tariff officially issued by the railroads involved. A similar 

 chart showing the celebrated advance of August 26, 1920, was 

 issued by HARDWOOD RECORD at that time. The new chart 

 will supersede it and in addition will contain a substantial 

 number of additional shipping and receiving points. Sub- 

 scribers are requested to look for their copy of this chart, 

 which shotild reach most offices by the first or second of May. 



Table of Contents 



REVIEW AND OUTLOOK: 



General Market Conditions 15 



Forest Products Laboratory Condemns Misleading Kiln Drying Claims. 15-16 

 The Value of Lumber Sponsorship 16 



SPECIAL ARTICLES: 



Wet Woods Stop Nearly All Delta Operations 18-19 



Floods in South Grow Worse 19-20 



The Commercial Range of Hickory 29-30 



Furniture Terms Endorsed by N. B. B. C 35 



Notable Improvements Made in Handling Veneer and Plywood 



During Last Decade a. ^f 



Air Conditioning in Veneer and Panel Work Shops 44 & 48 



The Mora Forests of Lurinam 38 & 43 



THE EXECUTIVE'S ROUND TABLE: 



Interesting Thoughts from Important Men on Subject of Hardwood 



Dimension Stock 21 & 28 



WHO'S WHO IN WOODWORKING: 



Finley P. Mount 2Z-Z8 



VARD AND KILN: 



Contention That Lumber Does Not Shrink in Drying Shown to Be 



Fallacious 



.24-25 



CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS: 



Miscellaneous 32 & 34 & 51 



Promotion of Maple Definitely Arranged For 17 



Central States Forestry League Asks That Idle Acres Be Put to 



Tree Grow in, 17-18 



Moss Again Heals Millwork Cost Bureau 23-26-28 



HARDWOOD NE\ NOTES 52-55 



HARDWOOD MA .ET 55-57 



CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS 60-61 



ADVERTISERS' DIRECTORY 59 



HARDWOODS FOR SALE 62-64 



SUBSCRIPTION TERMS: In the United States and its possessions, and 



Canada. .$2.00 the year; in foreign countries. $1.00 extra postage. 



In conformity with the rules of the poatofflce department, subscriptions 

 are payable in advance, and in default of written orders to the contrary, 

 are continued at our option. 



Instructions for renewal, discontinuance, or change of address, should 

 be sent one week before the date they are to go into effect. Both old and 

 new addresses must be given. 



Both display and classified advertising rates furnished upon application. 

 Advertising copy must be received five days in advance of publication dates. 



Entered as second-class matter May 26. 1902, at the postofflce at Chicago. 



