MOST INTERESTING FOREST PRODUCTS 145 
in the Northern woods where beech, birch and maple 
are found. Unless care is taken, the manufacture of 
these materials is likely to result in forest destruction 
as the average plant prefers small “bolts” which are 
obtained from second-growth forests, cut over before 
the trees are full grown. However, if a distillation 
plant is operated in connection with a sawmill the slabs, 
fimb and top wood, which would otherwise rot in the 
woods will be consumed in the distillation process. 
Such a combination means close utilization and serves 
greatly to reduce the risk from forest fires as it dis- 
poses of large quantities of tops and branches which 
would otherwise cover the ground for years. 
The ordinary process of making wood alcohol con- 
sists in heating the bolts of wood in an oven or retort 
for about twenty-three hours. The valuable liquids are 
condensed in a worm while the charcoal remains in 
the cylinders. From the hardwoods, acetate of lime, 
wood alcohol and charcoal are obtained while the 
distillation of the Southern pines yields turpentine, 
wood acids, heavy oils and charcoal. 
Veneer Industry—Wood is not only used as sawn 
lumber but of late years certain species have been 
used in the form of thin sheets called “veneers.” One 
of the most common uses of veneer is to cover furniture 
made from a cheap kind of wood with a thin sheet of 
beautiful figured species like oak or mahogany. This is 
by no means a new method, however, since many old 
pieces of furniture are made from solid mahogany with 
a more attractive sheet of the same wood placed upon 
the top. The present use of veneers, however, is much 
broader in scope. 
A little more than ten years ago certain trees like 
the Southern red gum were considered of little or no 
