The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-11-12
To study Timber Conservation.

The future development Of the lam.
Der industry in this country lies 10 the
direction Of closer utilization Of for
ct products, Bolhioreslers and prac-
teal lunrbcrmen now agree on this
point
just what can be done IN this field is
well illustrated in the operations at the
NH OF the Great Southern Lumber
Company, which has just opened its
plant at Bogalusa. Louisiana, in re.
Spouse u the increased denNld for
lumber after the recent slump n hnsi-
ness. This is perhaps the largest saw.
mill in the United States II not in the
world, and is capable Of turning out
the enormous amount OF 600 900 feet OF
sawn lumber board measure per day.
A reader can get fair idea of this
quantity of lumber when he is told that
its output is enough TO build little
town of 40 houses, along with a good
sized church aud school house every
day.
This company was quick TO grasp the
significance of the depletion of timber
resources. Last week il began co.
operative investigation in wood utiliza-
lion with the United States Forest Ser
vice and arrangements have just been
completed for a renewal of the expert
ments. The work will be along prac-
teal lines and will be aimed 10 secure
closer utilization of the products of
the southern lumber mills and at the
same time produce margin of profit
in excess Of that obtained by the meth
DDS which are now practced.
The field for work along this line is
broad. II Is wei known that the sup
erior grades OF lumber are obtained
from old mature trees, provided they
are not weakened by decay or other in
tlunences. In other words, thousand
feet board measure of lumber. sawed
| from tree two feet in diameter, costs
less and is worth more than thousand
| feet sawed from tree only eight in
ches in diameter. Moreover, timber
cut from young trees usually contains
large amount of sapwood. If ties,
poles, etc, are cut from such material,
they will decay far more rapidly than
If cut from heartwood. 1t is not good
business policy, however, in great
many cases to saw the most valuable
timber into commodities which are re
latively low in cost, such as ties and
poles. 1t is the intention therefore, Of
the company TO find out just what size
and classes of timber can be best uti-
liked for the cheaper commodities when
given preseratlve treatment.
To this end n careful study will be
made to ascertain the amount and
value Of the products sawed from trees
of different sizes and just how each can
NC btst ubiliItu 81 40 w ottuIc EiChbtst
economy and profit. For example, can
a tree eight inches in diameter be best
utilized Tor ties or for flooring, and
how will the profits compare if treated
with those sold untreatedf 1t seems
reasonable TO suppose that the profits
derived from the sale of treated timber
will exceed those from untreated tim
Der.
/ Moreover, the greater use OF cheml'
cally preserved wood will undoubtedl,
result in that wood giving greater life
in service. Hence, the amount Of tim
Der cut annually in the United States
simply to replace that which has decay
ed, will be materially decreased, and ,
further conservation of for resources
will result. Recent estimates by thu
Forest Service place this reduction a
. 10 per cent Of the total timber cut. Thu
practical benefits of these experiment.
and Of the Investigations for the utili
cation OF sawmill waste are at once ap
parent.