A Deckxxiaj. Kkc'okd 



ber of far corners of the world for information, publications, and ad- 

 vice on general and specific phases of problems arising in every con- 

 ceivable soi-t of wood-using industry. If a problem comes within the 

 field covered by the laboratory — and this field has been indicated in 

 other chapters of this l)()ok — the mail and telegraph will tap the lab- 

 oratory's reservoir of information on demand. Many companies and 

 individuals have found personal conference of Aalue. and this medium 

 of communication with the industries is welcomed. Further, the lab- 

 oratory is always available for either a short or extended study and 

 investigation of its methods and lines of work not only by American 

 citizens but by accredited representatives of foreign wood users or 

 governments. 



Naturally, for any of the services rendered as just outlined, there 

 is no charge. A vast amount of material — reports and articles, printed 

 bulletins, photographs and diagrams has been prepared for distrilm- 

 tion and, as far as available, will lie furnished gratis on ])()na fide 

 request. 



With the establishment of fundamental principles and processes, 

 and the outlining of standard methods of testing, the laboratory 

 gradually has entered, in the past two years, a new phase of relations 

 with the wood-using industries, namely, cooperative service. While 

 essentially a government activity conducting research in forest prod- 

 ucts for the benefit of the people of the Ignited States, its ])ur])()se is 

 best served when the residts of its work are of broadest application and 

 of most permanent value in promoting the economical use of wood. 



The laboratory is maintained and operated by annual appropria- 

 tions made by the Congress of the United States. Tliese ap])ro])ria- 

 tions are based u])()n general estimates of work to be imdertaken 

 during the ensuing fiscal year, so that the amount of money a])pro- 

 priated by Congress for the la])oratory's use must be spent in accord- 

 ance with an annual ])rogram of work. In kee])ing with the purpose 

 of tlie laboratory, it is tlie ])()lify of tlie Government to make this 

 ])rogram, in so far as possible, one of fimdamental research, the results 

 of wliich will be of greatest benefit and of most lasting value from a 

 public standpoint. In addition, it is necessary to provide sufficient 

 money to disseminate its data and information, free of charge, througli 

 correspondence, which averages 3,000 letters a month, and through 

 re])orts and special ai-ticles. 



