APPENDIX E XCIX 



TIMBER PHYSICS. 



Considerable equipment, including microtome, microscopes, 

 photomicrographic apparatus, projection lantern, cameras, electric 

 ovens, autoclave, balances and so forth, has been obtained for this 

 division. The work has to do largely with the determination of physi- 

 cal and structural properties of wood by the testing of moisture content, 

 specific gravity, percent springwood, percent summerwood, percent 

 sapwood, percent heartwood, fibre dimensions, cell structure, micro- 

 scopic characteristics and fungus infection. There has been consider- 

 able study to learn the relation of microscopic structure of wood to 

 penetration by preservatives and other liquids. General botanical 

 studies are also made. All the photographic work is done by this 

 division, including the making of microscopic slides, photomicrographs 

 and lantern slides of wood sections and pulp fibres, as well as miscel- 

 laneous photographs, copies, enlargements, etc. Studies have been 

 made to improve the methods of wood identification. Investigations 

 are in progress on the relation of vapor pressure and shrinkage to the 

 moisture content of wood. 



PULP AND PAPER. 



special attention has been given to the equipping of a thoroughly 

 modern semi-commercial experimental paper mill and it is safe to say 

 that when all the equipment is in place, this mill will be without an equal 

 in any of the centres throughout the world, where experimental work of 

 this kind is in progress A special Fourdrinier paper machine has been 

 installed , the machine being about 75ft. in length and turning out a 

 sheet 30 inches in width. The machine is flexible in its adjustments 

 and attachments and is designed to make practically all grades of 

 paper. A single beater of 40 lbs. capacity and a double beater of 60 

 lbs. capacity have been installed, with interchangeable basalt lava and 

 steel rolls with individual motor drive to each roll. The remaining 

 equipment, which is now in place, includes three stuff chests, riffler, 

 screen, four pumps, five motors, two paper testing instruments, 

 Erfurt sizing system and a variety of small apparatus. Sulphite and 

 soda digesters and other equipment will be installed in the near future, 

 for the manufacture of wood pulp by chemical processes, on a satis- 

 factory scale. Preliminary work has been done on several pulp and 

 paper investigations. Queen's University has co-operated in research 

 on the chemical composition of waste sulphite liquor, which is pro- 

 duced in such large quantities by our paper mills. 



