212 



In the Report for 1919, pages 22 and 23, we have continued reports under the 

 headings " Wood Distillation and Wood Tars." 



In the Report for 1920, p. 23, we have, under the heading of " Wood Distillation," 

 Black Peppermint, Eucalyptus amygdalina (really E. radiata) — 



Per ton of wood-tar in gallons 2^ 



Pyroligneous acid in gallons ... ... ... ... 78 



Charcoal in cwt. 5 J 



In " Jarrah," the organ of the Australian Forest League at Perth, we have, in 

 the issue for August, 1920, an excellent article on " Alcohol from Waste Wood or 

 Sawdust," by J. H. Boas, the value of which is enhanced by the table of Principal 

 Products of Wood Distillation. 



The same author's pamphlet on " Wood Waste," published as Bulletin No. 19 

 of the " Institute of Science and Industry " (Melbourne. 1921), should also be referred 

 to, for it is most suggestive. The subject of destructive distillation is dealt with in 

 much greater detail than was possible in the " Jarrah " article, and figures of stills 

 are shown. 



The destructive distillation of Australian timber has formed the basis of 

 Australian enterprise for many years, notably by the firm of William Cuming & Co., 

 which works with (largely) Eucalyptus regnans at Warburton, Victoria. 



Ash. 



1867. — For some brief notes on the ash of a Eucalyptus wood and a bark, see 

 " Official Record, Intercolonial Exhibition " (Melbourne), 1866-67, p. 317. 



In Rept. Aust. Assoc. Adv. Sci., xiv, 576 (1913), is an abstract by James Mann 

 of his work on " The Calorific Value of some Australian Woods, with notes on the 

 Production of Charcoal and Ash," from which the following is taken. Indeed, it is 

 the first important Australian research on the subject. 



The objects of investigation were to determine, for different Australian woods, and the charcoal 

 produced from them, their calorific values as fuel, the quantity of charcoal and the amount and colour of 

 the ash. 



The specimens of wood used in the tests were in the form of |--inch cubes, and for each species, at 

 least four cubes were tested both as wood and charcoal. The cubes were dried for twenty-four hours at a 

 temperature of 103 deg. C, and placed in a desiccator, to prevent absorption of moisture before weighing. 



Charcoal Tests. 



The cubes were carbonised in a closed muffle packed with powdered charcoal, which was heated in 

 a gas furnace. When nearly cool the carbonised cubes were placed in the desiccator, as above. 



