C THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



WOOD PRESERVATION. 



A new Division of Wood Preservation was organized in October, 

 1914. The scope of this division includes the study of wood preserva- 

 tives and methods of treating wood to prolong the life of railroad ties, 

 paving blocks, telegraph poles, posts, piling, trestle timber, mine props 

 and structural timber in general. A study of wood destroying fungi 

 has also been undertaken as well as methods of fireproofing wood. A 

 certain amount of equipment in the form of retorts, pumps, motors, 

 air compressor, and so forth, have been obtained for the carrying on of 

 experimental work. Particular attention is being paid to the subject 

 of railway ties in Canada. 



PROPOSED DIVISIONS. 



Although it is not feasible to establish more than the four above- 

 mentioned technical divisions at the present time there are a number of 

 other branches of work in the field of forest products which demand 

 attention and which should be taken care of in separate divisions some 

 time in the future. These include Divisions of Lumber, Chemistry, 

 Wood Distillation and Hydrolysis. 



GENERAL. 



The investigations made by the laboratories are regulated by an 

 Advisory Committee of seven members who represent a wide range of 

 experience and interest. 



The members of the staff are called upon from time to time to give 

 lectures before scientific societies, university students or the general 

 public and a good deal of interest has been stimulated in this way. 



The publications contributed to date by the laboratories are 

 Forestry Branch Circular No. 8; "Forest Products Laboratories", 

 Circular No. 9; "Chemical Methods for Utilizing Wood Wastes", 

 and Bulletin No. 49, "Treated Wood Block Paving." 



An important function of the laboratories has been that of 

 answering inquiries on forest products. In this way the laboratories 

 have undertaken to act as a bureau of information for the benefit of 

 the public. 



The laboratories are co-operating as far as possible with various 

 industries, railways, universities, societies and individuals. In fact, 

 the use of wood is a subject which is so extended and varied that the 

 problems can only be solved by the united efforts of all who are con- 

 cerned with the handling of wood and its products. 



July 16, 1915. 



