A Dix'ExxiAL Rkcokd 



CHAPTER III 

 THE FOREST PRODUCTS LABORATORY 



ESTABIJSHMEXT 



The national need for researcli in forest prodncts was recognized 

 from the earhest days of the Di\'isi()n of Forestry and became increas- 

 ingly apparent as forest exliaustion in the east advanced. Eventu- 

 ally it asserted itself. The scanty appropriations of the first decade 

 of American governmental forestry provided little money for research 

 in forest products, and between 1890 and 1910 work was mainly of a 

 cooperative natm-e and was done largely at various universities where 

 laboratory facilities were obtaina])le or buildings were available for 

 housing testing equipment. 



Studies of the mechanical properties of the more important woods 

 were begun at the universities of AVashington, Yale, Purdue, Califor- 

 nia, and Oregon. Some preservation and kiln drying studies were 

 undertaken at Yale, research in naval stores initiated in the South, 

 and a small experimental pulp mill erected in Boston. Wood chem- 

 istry and the chemistry of M'Ood preservatives were also handled in a 

 limited way at this latter place in 1907. 



During the following two years it became increasingly evident 

 that greater facilities for research would have to be provided, and that 

 centralization was essential to the success of the work. Tlie very na- 

 ture of researcli demands coordination of all related facts and studies, 

 and this coordination is difficult to secure without centralization of 

 allied research agencies. 



^V very large part of tlie researcli Avork of the Forest Service had 

 been carried out in cooperation with various universities, which had 

 been glad to place some of their facilities at the disposal of the service, 

 and so it Mas natural that, in the need for increased facilities, thought 

 should be given to the universities. A thorough canvass of Washing- 

 ton had already shown the utter futility of trying to rent suitable 

 quarters for the small sum available. 



