REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 43 



Wood technology . — In the recently organized section of wood 

 technology there were many accessions of samples of important com- 

 mercial woods and of illustrations of wood utilization, the public 

 installation of which was about to be taken up at the close of the 

 year. While the wood specimens, mostly in the form of large boards, 

 were intended primarily for practical educational purposes, a large 

 proportion had been determined botanically, insuring for them a 

 proper technical designation. 



The principal collection of wood samples, from the Philippine 

 Islands, consisted of 110 pieces, representing 85 species, the dupli- 

 cates showing different characteristics as to grain and figure. In 

 addition there were IG pieces and 15 species from Argentina; 32 

 specimens of various foreign woods highly prized for veneers and 

 for cabinet and furniture work, including the several important 

 varieties which are imported into this country under the trade name 

 of mahogany ; 38 specimens of redwood from the Pacific coast, repre- 

 senting a large range of patterns produced by the manufacturers and 

 some of their better grades of plain lumber; and also examples of 

 koa and ohia woods from Hawaii, Honduran mahogany, red gum, 

 yellow poplar, white oak, and black cherry. 



Material received as part of an exhibit of the turpentine industry 

 included three butt sections of longleaf pine from a commercial tur- 

 pentine orchard, illustrating the manner in which gum for the dis- 

 tillation of turpentine is obtained by the box, the cup and gutter, and 

 the Forest Service methods, clearly showing the progressive improve- 

 ment from the former wasteful to the modern economical processes. 

 These were accompanied by samples of the gum, scrape, turpentine, 

 and resin, and examples of the tools used, and, in addition, there 

 was a model of a turpentine still of a pattern common to the long- 

 leaf pine belt, in a setting typical of the region, some of the trees 

 being boxed and others provided with cups and gutters. The utiliza- 

 tion of wood was also illustrated by samples of dyewoods in the 

 log, and a series of extracts from them, including logwood, Brazil 

 wood, fustic, and quebracho; and by several series of specimens 

 showing the materials and successive stages in the manufacture of a 

 number of articles of common use, such as matches, tool handles, 

 brushes, and sporting goods. 



Of subjects other than textiles and woods, while no special efforts 

 were made in their behalf, much desirable material was received, in- 

 cluding agricultural products generally, foods, medicines, resins, 

 models of fishing methods and boats, fishery products, etc. 



Mineral technology. — A very realistic model of Trinidad Asphalt 

 Lake and its environs, a series of colored transparencies and photo- 

 graphic enlargements, and a complement of specimens typifying the 

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