The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-06-30
WOOD VALUES UNDER
SHARP TEST
VISIT TO DIR. L. F. HAWLEY'S
LABORATORY AT cLATSoP
MILL-WORK OF A PRIMARY
SORT-TO BE FOLLOWED BY
WIDER EXPLOITATION.

Dr. +, l.. Hawley. forestry expert,
and representing the United States
Department OF Agriculture, who ar
rived here on the 10Th OF May last
to test the values OF the Clatsop fir,
by the processes OF distillation, was
found yesterday at his laboratory in
the Clatsop mills, by a reported for
the Morning Astoria, who was agree
abl entertained in watching, and
listening to, the operator.
The work being done by DR.. Haw.
ley is purely primary, Upon his re-
port TO the department will depend
the larger and deeper exploitation OF
the residual values OF the local
woods; and that report will so first
to the authorities a, Washington
From there 1t will find It's way, later,
to the Astoria Chamber of Commerce
and general publicity
The government is seeking, by
different processes, to save to COM
merce the 50 or 90 per cent OF the
tmbers OF the land now going to
sheer and utter waste; for II Is n
traditional fact that only about half
the tree is ever made merchantablc,
and the purpose is TO mimiy this
enormous loss, and bring the hidden
values to light and use by means that
will warrant commercial factoring
and marketing.
DR.. Hawley has given most OF his
time and attention to the fir wood OF
this section, though he has expert
mented with the cedar and the spruce
but only enough to assure himself,
that by the process OF distillation, the
latter woods are not susceptible OF
profitable manipulation. The residual
and elemental qualities for which he
is searching, are turpentine, charcoal
rosin, gums, and the essential oils
that are known TO be in the various
woods. Turpentine, OF course, pre-.
dominates, the various ratios OF the
other elements are measured by the
standard set by the "turps.'
When found yesterday the doctor
was busy distilling lot OF fir saw
dust. He had it in a copper can, the
contents of which represented one
| three hundredth OF a cord, and wal
being subjected TO a powerful steam
| Jet the residium being caught ant
measured in one of the many devices
employed in his work. In the main
OF course, it was turpentine, and thi'
was plainly discernible on the surface
OF the accretions from the coppei
can.
With commendable felity to hi
trust DIR. Hawley was silent as th'
grave as to what he had discovered
and the probable effect Of his ful
and final report on the government
subsequent try-out Of the woods here
He will be through with his worl
sometime next week; and from wha
OF his immedte future, will likel,
90 into Arizona, to make simila
tests Of the famous western yellow
pine Of that country. The govern
ment has recently sold to big mill
ing concern there, certain rights t
cut and mill these great timbers fror
the reservation; and both Uncle Sar
and the company concerned, are anx
ious to know all that can be ascer
. tanned Of the residual qualities, quar-
titles, and costs and values, of tn
I yellow pine.
The work this accomplished gentle
man is doing may not seem
+ amount to much at this time; but tn
information he is now supplying tn
r government, may at some future da.
be of immense interest and wild
value to the nation. For the day wi
n come when wood and all it contain
will have to be carefully conserved
4 and its last value commercialized;
which event, the reports on what
obtained by distiation, will pave th
way to the larger and more effica'
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