UTILIZATION OF WOOD WASTE 21 



of the largest single uses of spun paper in the United States lies 

 in the production of so-called fibre rugs. These may be made 

 entirely of paper or of paper and cotton or wool. The total 

 daily output of such rugs is probably in excess of 100 tons. 



Paper furniture is now a common article of commerce and 

 its use should increase greatly. The reeds are usually made 

 from heavy paper, stiffened by various processes, and when 

 woven over wooden frames and coated with shellac, they produce 

 an excellent substitute for other reeds. 



Rope and cord made from kraft alone or from kraft with a 

 core of hemp or sisal are finding considerable favor. Cheap- 

 ness, smoothness, uniform strength and size are the points 

 in which they excel other cords. European manufacturers are 

 producing clothesline, sash cord, driving reins, skipping ropes, 

 web straps for surcingles, and a variety of articles from paper 

 twine. Floor mattings, stair runners, imitation burlaps for wall 

 coverings, tapestries, and bagging to replace jute are other prod- 

 ucts. Eventually paper yarn will be woven into cloth to be used 

 in making cheap clothing for rough work. Binder twine from 

 paper to replace that made from imported fibres is another 

 possibility of economic importance in our industrial develop- 

 ment. Insulating tubing for electric wires, both for use under 

 ground and overhead, is made partly from paper, as is also pipe 

 for carrying liquids. 



As a means of reducing wood waste by bringing wood users 

 together the Office of Industrial Investigations of the Forest 

 Service has opened a wood waste exchange. The co-operators 

 now number over 500, many of whom have reported successful 

 purchases or sales of wood waste through the Exchange. Thus 

 a man desiring blocks for brushes may find that he can ob- 

 tain cheaply for this purpose material which in another industry 

 is waste. 



Forest products investigations covering comparatively few 

 years have opened our eyes to the uses of today and the im- 

 mense possibilities of the future. The consumption of forest 

 products is increasing, and the degree to which wood waste con- 

 tributes to these products is the degree by which we are ap- 

 proaching the very remote goal complete utilization. As the 

 value of the tree is increased closer application of correct forest 

 management is made possible. With this comes the assurance 

 of steady supply and the consequent development of wood-using 

 industries. 



