The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-10-03
Dendro Chemical Lab
oratory Started.
FOREST PRODUCTS
Will be Examined Under This
Governments Venture -lPa.
per Industry to Receive
Much Benefit.

/
was the establishment Of a dendro-
chemical laboratory in cooperation
with the bureau of chemistry. The
need of a laboratory which would de-
vote all of its attention to the study
of the chemistry Of forest products
1 had been felt for some time. The
plans for the organization of the new
laboratory were prepared by DR.. Wiley
chief of the bureau of chemistry, of
the United States department of agri-
culture, and were approved by Secres
tary Wilson and Mr.. Pinchot, chief of
the bureau Of forestry.
Mr.. William H. Krug has been put
in charge of this laboratory, which lie
the first of its kind in the United
States, If not in the world. A numA
ber of laboratories devoted to ths
chemistry of tanning materials, ana
other materials used in the manufac-
ture of leather, are in existence in
England and on the continent, but this
line of work forms only small part
of the field of dendro-chemistry
The first work taken up by the dem
dro-chemical laboratory was the study
of chemical composition of the wood
and bark of the chestnut oak, white
oak, red oak, and black oak. This in
vestigation has been extended to the
western hemlock, and other trees will
betakeh up in turn until an exhaustive
series of analyses is obtained, includ-
ing the most important American
commercial trees.
In response to a general demand
plans have been formulated for the
study of the advisability Of certain
hitherto unused woods as source OF
wood pulp. Spruce and poplar have SO
far been used for this purpose, but the
supply Of these woods is failing rapid
ly, and other woods will soon have to
be used. The various woods will be
subjected to the usual methods OF
paper pulp manufacture and the pulp
produced will he studied with reference
to its yield and quality, and tested as
basis for papers.
A study has also been planned of
the composition and physical charac-
teristics of the various papers, contain
ing either mechanical or chemical
wood pulp, which are found on the
American market. The ultimate OBJ
ject of this work is the establishment
of q paper testing laboratory similar to
that now being operated by the Ger
man government at Berlin. The ne
cessity OF such a laboratory is appar-
ent when it is considered that practi-
cally all official publications are now
printed on such paper. and that the
life OF wood-pulp papers Is, in general,
very brief The importance Of certain
standards is self-evident, and 1t is
hoped to establish and enforce these
for American papers, at least where
they are furnished to the government.
An investigation recently suggested,
and which will receive attention as
soon as the material is at hand, is a
study of the chemical composition and
physical properties of tanned
sole feathers, for the purpose of de-
termining the influence of the method
OF tanning on the character and wear
ing qualities of the feathers.
In connection with the methods of
kiln-drying lumber which are now ex-
tensively practiced, the dendro-chemi-
cal laboratory has been requested to
make study of the effect of dry and
moist heat on the physical properties
of various woods. The information Sc
cured In this investigation will be of
practical value in connection with the
use Of lumber in buildings. This work
has been held in allegiance until ap-
propriate testing machines can be oh.
tained, and 1t is then proposed. to CO..
operate with, the road material labora-
tory Of the bureau of chemistry, not
only in this work, but also in the
testing OF wood paving blocks, and the
application and effect of wood preserv-
atiyes. M
Another line of work to be taken up
Is an examination OF American tur-
pentine as found in the market. It is
claimed that adulteration, especially
with benzine and rosin oil, is exten-
sively practiced. the result being
fraud by which both the
buyer and the ultimate user suffer.
Paints prepared with such turpentihe
have less covering power and perma-
nency.
One of the most interesting pieces of
work being carried on by this labora-
tory Is study of the chemical compo-
sition. constituents. and the possible
uses of series of tree secretions which
have been submitted by the Philippine
forestry bureau at Manila. Arrange
ments have been made whereby thu
laboratory will be supplied with sam
Pies Of the various parts, such as the
bark, wood, leaves, and secretions, Of
all the new tree reported by the ex<
rloring parties sent out by the forestry
bureau at Manila
!. The dendro-chemica laboratory is
also conducting an investigation OF
chemical methods Of killing useless
timber
KENNEDY IN CANAL FULTON.
! The Republican executive committee
has arranged for meeting at Canal
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