MOST INTERESTING FOREST PRODUCTS 145 



in the Northern woods where beech, birch and maple 

 are found. Unless care is taken, the manufacture of 

 these materials is likely to result in forest destruction 

 as the average plant prefers small "bolts" which are 

 obtained from second-growth forests, cut over before 

 the trees are full grown. However, if a distillation 

 plant is operated in connection with a sawmill the slabs, 

 limb and top wood, which would otherwise rot in the 

 woods will be consumed in the distillation process. 

 Such a combination means close utilization and serves 

 greatly to reduce the risk from forest fires as it dis- 

 poses of large quantities of tops and branches which 

 would otherwise cover the ground for years. 



The ordinary process of making wood alcohol con- 

 sists in heating the bolts of wood in an oven or retort 

 for about twenty-three hours. The valuable liquids are 

 condensed in a worm while the charcoal remains in 

 the cylinders. From the hardwoods, acetate of lime, 

 wood alcohol and charcoal are obtained while the 

 distillation of the Southern pines yields turpentine, 

 wood acids, heavy oils and charcoal. 



Veneer Industry. Wood is not only used as sawn 

 lumber but of late years certain species have been 

 used in the form of thin sheets called "veneers." One 

 of the most common uses of veneer is to cover furniture 

 made from a cheap kind of wood with a thin sheet of 

 beautiful figured species like oak or mahogany. This is 

 by no means a new method, however, since many old 

 pieces of furniture are made from solid mahogany with 

 a more attractive sheet of the same wood placed upon 

 the top. The present use of veneers, however, is much 

 broader in scope. 



A little more than ten years ago certain trees like 

 the Southern red gum were considered of little or no 



