The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-10-11

meant disaster has long
since been exploded and
nowadays We are kept almost breath
less by the rapidity of the applications
which our scientists make of their
technical knowledge 10 the worlds
practical work.
A new step of some interest ana a
considerable p,nmise of value in the
yokng of science to utility has recently
been taken by the bureau of forestry
at Washington in the equipment of
what is called 1t dendro-Chrmical Ia
hOratory. In plain words. this means
Il place where experiments may be
made To discover the relations of
chemistry to forests, trees. timber.
lumber and all phases Of tree growth
and utilization. Prior to this action in
Washington there ha, b-en no such
place in this hemisphere. if in the
world: that is. no place exclusively
devored to the prosecution of such in
uures \ bulletin issued by the agri-
cultural department supplies infnlnl;~
ion as to the plans in view.
The first work taken up by the la
'oralory was " study oi the chemical
composition of the wood and bark Of
the chestnut oak. white oak. red oak
and black oak. This investigation has
been extended to tn. western hemlock,
and other trees will b- taken up in
turn until an exhaustive series uf
analyses is obtained. including the
most mpOlI;InI American i.tl
trees. Plans have been formulated for
the study Of tn. availability of certain
hitherto unused woods as Il source. of
wood pulp. Spruce ana poplar have so
far been used tor this purpose. but the
supply of these woods is failing rap
idlv, and other w"odS viii soon have
I" he used. The various woods will be
subjected Ia th- usual methods of Ju-
per pulp manufacture and the pulp
in oduccd will he studied with references
IL its yield and quality. ana tested a.
a basis for papers.
\ study has also been planned Of The
composition and physical chalrrrt-r-
istics of the various pap"rs, containing
either mechanical or chemical wood
Phlp W lii'is iIt' lbNIlh 'Ili lUN .NIlltli,itn
market, Th' ultimate object of this
work is the establishment Of Il paper
lestin. laboratory similar To thar now
being operated hy the German govern
n'ent at Berlin. The necessity of such
II laboratory IL apparent when it IN con-
sidcred that practically AL official pub
f"ations ar" n"ws printed ON such
"A ~,
papers is, In general, very brief. The
importance OF certain standards is self
evident, Hni it is hoped To establish
aud enforce the.," for American lLprrs
mt least where they are furnished to
the government
An Investigation recently suggested
and which will receive attention as soon
as HE material is at hand, is "A study of
the. chrmlcal composition and physical
properties nj Aforementioned sole
lNsthers. for the purpose ut detrrInin-
ing .lhe influence of the method of tam
ming on the character and wearing
qualities of the feathers.
In connrction with The .mrrhods OF
kiln-dryine' humber which are nov sx-
tensively prclcrd, the laboratory has
been requested Ia make study of The
effect or dry and moist heat ON the
physical properties Oi various woods
The information secured in This nyrstt-
CATION Will he of practical value in con-
nection with the use ~ lumber in build
inss. This work has been held in abey-
anre until appropriate testing machines
can be. obtained, and it Is then proposed
towco7operate with The road material
labbra tory of the bureau Of chemistry,
not only in his work. bur also in the
testing of wood paving blocks. and the
application and effect of wund pre-
ssrNatves.
Another line of work la be taken up
is Rh examination of American turpen-
tlnc as Found in the market, Il Is
claimed that adulteration, especially
with benZine and rusin OH, il cxten-
siyeN prdcticed. the result baing q
,ecuniary fraud by which both the
huNer 4nd The ultimate user suffer
Paints prepared with such turpentine
aave less covering power and perma-
Aency.
One Of the most Interesting pieces OF