32 MISC. PUBLICATION 162, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



Important research work is done by the Forest Products Labora- 

 tory at Madison, Wis. There, in cooperation with the University of 

 Wisconsin, the Forest Service carries on intensive studies of the phys- 

 ical, mechanical, and chemical properties of wood and other forest 

 products. Tests are made of the strength of American woods of com- 

 mercial importance: investigations are conducted in seasoning and 

 kiln drying ; wood preservation ; the manufacture of paper pulp, fiber- 

 board, and the like; the production of alcohol, turpentine, rosin, tar; 

 and other chemical products. The results of this work help the wood- 

 consuming industries to find the most suitable raw materials and to 

 develop methods of utilizing waste products. They also assist tim- 

 berland owners to find new markets for forest products. Another 

 important part of the Laboratory's work is to discover ways of using 

 woods which, though often abundant, have been considered of little or 

 no value, and to develop new uses for the products of the forest. Dur- 

 ing the war the Forest Products Laboratory worked almost wholly 

 on war uses of wood and gave vital help on the problems of packag- 

 ing military supplies, use of wood for aircraft, boats, etc. 



Investigations in forest economics cover the entire range of the 

 economic and social problems involved in the production of forests 

 and in the utilization of forest resources. Under its economic pro- 

 gram, the Forest Service is conducting a survey of the forest resources 

 and requirements of the whole country. This Nation-wide project 

 includes studies of all problems relating to forests and forest-land use 

 and management, as well as analyses of the relations of its find- 

 ings to one another and to other related social and economic factors. 

 The results of this survey will be used as bases for formulating policies, 

 principles, and plans for the management and use of both public and 

 private forest land. Other important projects in forest economics 

 deal with equitable methods of forest taxation, the extent of tax delin- 

 quency and reversion of forest land to public ownership, and the 

 practicability of remedial measures. 



COOPERATION WITH THE STATES 



The Federal Government is cooperating with the States in the pre- 

 vention and suppression of forest fires. This cooperation was first 

 authorized by the Weeks law, which provided for Federal aid in pro- 

 tecting forested watersheds from fire to any State that would spend 

 in the same year an amount at least equal to the Federal expenditure. 

 Since 1924, however, cooperation with the States has been carried on 

 under the provisions of the Clarke-McNary Act, considered one of 

 the most forward steps in forestry taken since the passage of the Weeks 

 law. This act provides for cooperation with such States as have 

 State or other forestry organizations in the protection of forests from 

 fire, in assisting farmers in the handling of their woods, and in the 

 growing and distribution of young trees for farm-woodland or shelter- 

 belt planting. Funds necessary to carry on the work under the Clarke- 

 McNary Act are furnished jointly by the Federal Government and 

 the States, and in the fire-protection work private owners also con- 

 tribute. A 1949 amendment to the act authorized increases in this 

 work. 



