40 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. 



the relative value of staves and lumber from trees of various diam- 

 eters were prejjared. These tables are of direct value to the owners 

 of timber, cooperage-stock manufacturers, and lumbermen. A special 

 study was made of methods of kiln-drying red gum heading. 



A study of the woods used (including amounts and prices) in box 

 making in the Xew England States indicates that the future of the 

 industry in this region depends upon the control and conservative 

 operation of timberland hj the manufacturer. 



A study of the woods used in vehicle and implement manufacture, 

 made in the Central ^'tates, led to the extensive tests upon spokes, 

 tongues, and axles now in progress at the Purdue laboratory, to deter- 

 mine the proper basis for grading hickory spokas and the effect of 

 defects and methods of manufacture upon the strength of the parts. 

 Arrangements vi'ere also made for tests of the suitability of several 

 western woods for wagon manufacture. 



A study of methods of treating and laying woods used for street 

 pa\dng was made in all the priiicipal eastern cities where any con- 

 siderable quantity of such paving is in use. A cooperative experi- 

 ment with the city of Minneapolis, two creosoting companies, and 

 several lumber manufacturers is in progress, to determine the value 

 for paving of various kinds of northern woods. 



A study of the methods of kiln-drying hardwood lumber was 

 carried on in the North Central States. The report upon this sub- 

 ject will furnish a valuable contribution to the theory and practise 

 of kiln-drying. Practical knowledge likely to be of great use to the 

 Service was obtained. 



A brief study of the conditions under which tupelo is manufactured 

 in Louisiana and Alabama resulted in a series of practical recommen- 

 dations for air seasoning this wood. An experiment in kiln-drying 

 tupelo lumber has made it certain that this problem also will be satis- 

 factorily solved. The manner in Avhich the market for tupelo has 

 expanded since announcement of this study was made furnishes a 

 striking illustration of the practical value of the work.. 



Current prices, by grades and species, of practically all the commer- 

 cial kinds of lumber in the United States, have been compiled for of- 

 fice use, and the prices of the leading species for the past twenty years 

 have been printed. Because of the rapid changes now going on in 

 lumber prices this compilation is particularly useful. 



Fieldwork for a study of the possible means of utilizing dead and 

 mature timber on reserves began May 1, 1906. It is expected to fur- 

 nish practical recommendations for the use of a large amount of 

 reserve timber which has heretofore gone to waste and been only a 

 menace to the y*' elf are of the forest. 



A study of utilization of sawmill waste began July 1, 1905, but was 

 dropt before results were obtained, for want of men to carry it 

 on. Some important phases of the subject have been touched upon 

 in a concrete way in connection with the study of cooperage and 

 vehicle woods. 



Addresses were made at well-attended meetings of the Mississippi 

 Valley Lumber Manufacturers' Association, the Pacific Coast Lumber 

 Manufacturers' Association, the Yellqw Pine Manufacturers' Associa- 

 tion, the Southern Cypress Manufacturers' Association, the National 

 Lumber Manufacturers' Association, the National Slack Cooperage 



