January I'o, 191G 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



23 



VL'i'.v rapidly. It is probably a good way to stop tlic sap staining ot green 

 lumber, if it is steamed while green. We have not investigated the other 

 effects of steaming green gum, however, so hesitate to recommend it. 



Temperatures as high as 210 degrees F. were used with no apparent harm 

 to the material. The best result was obtained with the temperature of 

 180 degrees F. After the first preliminary heating in steam to 200 degrees 

 F., Iiigher temperatures maj'.be used with air dried gum. The best method 

 of bumidit.v control proved to be to reduce the rchitive humidity of the air 

 from 100 per cent (saturated steam), very carefully at first and then more 

 rapidly to aO per cent in about four days. If the change is too marked 

 immediately after the steaming period, checking will invariably result. 

 Vnder these temperatures and humidity conditions, the stock was dried 

 from l,"i per cent moisture, based on the dry wood weight to G per cent in 

 Ave days time. The loss due to checking was about S per cent. 



From time to time during the runs the material «-as resawed to test for 

 casehardening. The stock dried in five days showed slight casehardening, 

 so it was steamed at atmospheric pressure for thirty miuutes near the close 

 ■of the run, with the result that when dried off again the stresses were no 

 longer present. The material from one run was steamed for one hour at 

 atmospheric pressure and proved very badly casehardened but in the reverse 

 direction. It seems possible that by testing for the anu^unt of caseharden- 

 ing, one might select a final steaming period which would entirely eliminate 

 all stresses in the wood. 



Kiln-Dkyini; of Gueio.v Kkd Gim 



.\ short time ago, fifteen fine, green red gum logs l(i feet long were re- 

 ceived from Sardis, Miss. They were in excellent condition and quite green. 



It has been our belief that if the gum could be kilu-dried directly from 

 the saw a number of the difficulties in seasoning might be avoided. There- 

 fore, we have undertaken to find out whether or uot such a thing is feasible. 

 The green logs now at the laboratory are to be used in this Investigation. 

 One run, of a preliminary nature, has just been made, the method and 

 results of which are given below. 



This method was really adapted to the drying of southern pine, but one 

 log of the green gum was cut into 1 inch stock and dried with the pine. 

 The heartwood contained man.v knots and some checks, although it was in 

 general of Quite good quality. The sapwood was in fine condition and as 

 white as snow almost. 



This material was edge stacked with one crosser at either end and one 

 at the center of the IG foot board. This is sufficient for the pine but al)so- 

 lutely iuadequate for drying green gum. A special shrinkage take up was 

 applied at the three points. The results proved very interesting in spite 

 of the warping which was expected with but three crossers in 16 feet. 

 The method of circulation already desocibed was used. It is our belief that 

 edge piling is best tor this method. 



This method of kiln-drying depends on the maintenance of a high velocity 

 of slightly superheated steam through the lumber. The object is to main- 

 tain the temperature of the vapor as it leaves the lumber, at slightly above 

 212 di'grees F. In order to accomplish this result it is necessary to main- 

 tain the high velocity of circulation. .\s the wood dries, the superheat may 

 be increased until a temperature of 22."i degrees or 230 degrees F. of the 

 exit air is recorded. 



The 1 inch green gum was dried from 201 per cent to 11.4 per cent 

 moisture, based on the dry wood weight in 45 hours. The loss due to 

 checking w'as 10 per cent. Xearl.v every knot in the heartwood was checked. 

 The knots would be eliminated in any case, so this loss might not be so 

 great. It was significant that practically all of the cheeking occurred in 

 the heartwood. The loss due to warping was 22 per cent. Of course this 

 was large, as not nearly enough crosses were used for gum. It is our 

 opinion that this loss due to warping can be very much reduced by using 

 say eight crossers and providing for taking up the shrinkage. A feature 

 of this process which is very important is that the method absolutely pre- 

 vents all sap staining. 



Another delightful surprise was the manner in which the superheated 

 steam method of drying changed the color of the sapwood from pure w^hite 

 to a beautifully uniform, clean looking, cherry red color, which very closely 

 resembles that of the heartwood. This method is not new by any means as 

 several patents have been granted on the steaming of gum to render the 

 sapwood more nearly the color of the heartwood. The method of applica- 

 tion in kiln drying green red gum, we believe to be new, however. Other 

 methods for kiln drying this green stock are to be tested until the proper 

 process is developed. Vi'e expect to have something interesting to report in 

 the near future. 



Conclusions 



In conclusion, let me review the main important points brought out in 

 this address. The structure of wood was discussed so that the gums might 

 be correctly classed. The properties of wood and especially the ones effect- 

 ing the drying of the gums have been explained. We have discussed the 

 drying of air-dried 1 inch red gum and submitted a successful method of 

 kiln-drying this lumber. Special stress has been laid on the efficiency of 

 edge stacking. Finally, the results of the kiln run on green red gum have 

 been presented and certain interesting points emphasized. 



Gum After the War 



Col. S. B. Anderson addressed the meeting on the topic of gum "s 

 place after the war. He re\aewed the shutting off of exports, by 

 which much of the best of the lumber which had been going abroad 

 was forced to stay at home. Necessity and low price forced it upon 



the market here and it entered channels where it was unknown be- 

 fore. It made good as furniture and finish material, and the speaker 

 expressed the belief that it would hold that place after the close of 

 the w-ar. The association had done much to find that market for the 

 higher grades of gum. It was considered not improbable that re- 

 co\ery of the European countries from war 's losses would be rapid 

 and that this reco\-cry would both directly and indirectly help the 

 gum market. Col. Anderson summed up the situation as follows: 



The loiv prices following the beginning of the war enabled it to secure 

 a permanent footing in the American markets, and the foreign demand 

 which must follow the close of the war will undoubtedly produce a 

 market which will, together with the American market, put gum where it 

 belongs, aud will secure to the producer a permanent and healthy demand 

 at fair and lucrative prices. I am looking for a better lumber business 

 than the trade has enjoyed in many years, and I believe that gum lumber 

 will secure its proper place amongst the other woods, which means that 

 the manufacturers ot this product will reap their fair share in the good 

 times coming. To the war may be attributed a fair share of influence 

 bringing about the hoped for conditi<ins. 



Gum's Field and Destiny 



The field open to red gum and the destiny which awaits this wood 

 were discussed by Fred K. Conn, president of the Bayou Land & Lum- 

 ber Company, Yazoo City, Miss. He likewise referred to the value of 

 association work in attaining the desired ends. He said in part as 

 follows : 



Association work is the lite of any industry. We cannot expect to prosper 

 without it any more than we can expect the separate units which go to 

 make it up to prosper without cooperation. I am referring to our indi- 

 vidual business. If we do not get the unselfish, loyal support of our em- 

 ployees, we cannot, and will not make much progress. When we do have 

 it, we succeed. This association offers the opportunity tor each one inter- 

 ested in gum to become a cog of the great wheel in the work of the asso- 

 ciation, and right here I want to say that there is no good reason why each 

 individual or organization connected in any way with gum timber or the 

 cutting of gum logs should not become a member. There was a time when 

 I might have thought that the reason for their not coming in was a selfish 

 and pecuniary one. That cannot be today. There are no interested per- 

 sons so narrow or short-sighted who cannot see the advantages of this 

 work. They can remain outside our ranks, and, no doubt, receive some 

 benefit, but it is an old fogy notion to allow ourselves to entertain an idea 

 that big brained business men are willing to sit back and ride to success 

 on the efforts of others. They want to be a part and parcel of that effort. 

 There is not one of us who does not feel fully repaid for the time, effort 

 and money we have contributed to this work. We are proud of it. We 

 must do more. Our work has barely started. 



We need members, and we must not stop until the combined and indi- 

 vidual efforts of this association have drawn into our ranks every eligible 

 member obtainable. We want the individual effort and assessments but 

 we have reached a point where that is not so important when we compare 

 it to the unlimited advantages given through combined strength when we 

 add a new member to our list. Co-operative educational association work 

 will solve problems : in tact, meet any emergency which arises. With it 

 we will, in a comparatively short time, be able to place gum in an enviable 

 position as compared to mahogany, walnut, and, in fact, any of the beau- 

 tiful woods of value. We have a wood with Individuality, and without 

 imitation can give to the public the rich and beautiful, at prices within the 

 reach of all. .\t the same time, we have a utility wood which is unsur- 

 passed. Yet the Lord in all his wisdom, realizing when all of the other 

 timbers were exhausted that it would be necessary to have an all purpose 

 timber, a small portion of which contained a rich and rare quality necessary 

 to satisfy the desires of the most fastidious nature, gave us in the midst of 

 this abundant and wise supply an occasional figured tree. It is rich, it Is 

 rare, it was meant for the millionaire. On account of this richness and 

 rareness, it is possible for this item of our commodity to be placed among 

 the woods of value, and is worthy of our careful consideration in manufac- 

 ture and selection. The real value of the raw material in this highly fig- 

 ured wood should be considered seriously by all of us. 



We manufacturers of gum lumber have been crippling along all of these 

 years, trusting that the day would come when we could realize a profit, 

 but, before we can expect to do this, we must let the people know what we 

 have, and when we do, we can get the profit. It is within our power, gen- 

 tlemen, to add millions to the wealth of this great southland, and, at the 

 same time, give to the people of the world a commodity which they want 

 at a lower price than any other wood of equal beauty and utility, and I am 

 confident that we are now on the right track to accomplish this end. 



The Marketing of Gum 



John W. McClure addressed the meeting on the subject of market- 

 ing gum, but disclaimed any intention of covering aU phases of the 

 extensive theme. He said that 1916 holds great promise for the gum 

 industry. His address follows in part: 



Not for ten years have prospects been so bright for a year of satisfactory 

 business. It is well that we now study the causes which have contributed 



