A Decexxiai. Recokd <>9 



product have yet been discovered. The growing scarcity of hardwoods 

 makes the problem of its future supply increasingly acute. The labora- 

 tory has given some study to the different processes now^ used in wood 

 distillation, and during tlie past year it has developed certain modifi- 

 cations AN'liich indicate that the yield of wood alcohol from a given 

 (luantity of wood may lie increased about 50 per cent over the present 

 normal production. It is important that this wliole field be studied 

 more comprehensively than the laboratory is now able to do, not only 

 in order that processes may be made more efficient, but that the pro- 

 ductive value of new woods may be determined. 



Still another field, in which better methods of utilization are 

 urgent, embraces the turpentine and rosin industry. This industry 

 is in a precarious situation liecause of the rapid exhaustion of southern 

 yellow pine which is its main and practically only source of supply. 

 Xot only is it one of the oldest industries in the country but it gives 

 the Ignited States the leadershij) in the world in the production of 

 tur])entine and rosin. It is imbued with old ideas and in many cases 

 is following old customs with consequent waste of raw material. 

 While the laboratory has already developed methods which have elim- 

 inated some of this waste and have increased the yield of both turpen- 

 tine and rosin, further work is desirable in order that the hfe of the 

 industry may be prolonged ])y developing maximum production from 

 the longleaf ])ine timl)er now remaining. 



There are many otlicr lines which give ])romise of reclaiming 

 wood now wasted and of increasing the value of products already 

 being reclaimed. Among these may be mentioned studies to improve 

 tire boxes and grates so as to get the maximum lieat from wood waste 

 when l)urned in fire plants: the ]n'()duction from wood of absor])cnt 

 and decolorizing charcoal; the effect of various species used in food 

 containers on the odor and taste of the contents: and the methods of 

 treating M'ood to remove odor and taste: and methods for decolorizing 

 rosin ()])tainable from i)ine stumps, thus making it comparable to that 

 obtained from the living tree. 



The ViUhatiou of Wood for PuJj) and Paper 



It is unnecessary to call attention to the importance to the nation 

 of the pulp and pa])er industry. Its products weave into every other 



