220 



FOREST PRODUCTS 



UTILIZATION OF PRODUCTS 



The utilization of the products of the hardwood distiliation industry- 

 has been a great problem, especially since the Federal law of 1907 went 

 into effect. The greatest money return is received from disposal of the 

 acetate of lime, and the prices received for this product have undergone 

 great fluctuation. 



Altogether there are three primary products derived from the process, 

 namely, the raw pyroligneous acid, the wood gas and the charcoal which 

 remains as a residue from the distillation of the wood. The secondary 



Fig. Ci. — Acetate ol lime dr>ing over the retorts in the oven house at a large plant at Betula, 



Pennsyh'ania. 



products as a result of the separation of the tar from the pyroligneous 

 acid and the further distillation of the pyroligneous acid are, first, wood 

 tar, second, acetate of lime, and third, wood alcohol. 



The utilization of the five derived products of this industry, therefore, 

 are described as follows: Acetate of lime, wood alcohol, charcoal, wood 

 tar and wood gas. 



Acetate of Lime. 



It is estimated that approximately 100,000 long tons of acetate of 

 lime are produced every year in this country. Under normal conditions, 



