The San Francisco call., 1909-04-25
WORK TO CHECK
WASTE OF TIMBER
Forestry Service Studies Eco
nOnicaI Utilization of All
Parts of Tree
Preservatiye Treatment of Poles
Receives Special Attention
From Local District

Forest conservation means the striv-
ing for a better utilization of forest
products and the consequent checking
of useless waste as much as it does
the protection of forests from fires and
the reforestation of lands which should
GROW timber according to foresters
and progressive umbermen or the new
school.
Few peeple have g clear idea of the
Importance of the study of proper wood
utilization and one of the effects of the
establishment OF the forest service dis
trict Offices most beneficial to the peo-
pie OF the west is the possibility of a
close, helpful relation with branch of
the service whose workings have here
tofore been little understood in this
region. This is the branch of products
The work OF this part OF the forest
service has to do with the best and
most economical utilization Of the
products of the forest, not only lumber
and its products. but also the bark,
resin, sap and even leaves OF these
trees, of which these parts are OF value
TO man.
1t is not enough that care should be
given TO the growing of a new forest
and 10 the careful ana economical cut
ting Of the present crop of trees, but it
is of equal Importance that care be
taken TO bring about as complete a
utilization of the tree as possible and
TO make the utilized timber serve its
purpose a long as possible. To bring
about the utilization OF what is now
wasted in manufacture or to increase
the usabe life OF timber is considered
as much forest conservation as to grow
forest where the original has been
cut of.
USE WASTE MATERIAL
The branch of products has made a
special effort to make possible the util-
ization of the waste incident to manu-
facture after the log has reached the
mill. For some time experiments have
been carried on studying the possibili-
ties of utilizing slabs and sawdust. In
regions where there is a sufficient de-
mand a considerable income is derived
from the secondary manufacture, by
/ private parties, OF slabs and edgings
| into box shocks, barrel slaves and lath.
As yet private and federal efforts TO
utilize sawdust have not been as sue
cessful as may be desired. The lines
of most promise, however. have been
its use In paper making and in the
distillation of pine sawdust for the pro-
duction of turpentine. Much remains
TO be accomplished, however, TO make
this work an unqualified success.
Still another dissipation of timber
wealth has occurred through prejudice
or the ignorance of the properties of
certain woods. For some reason GER
tain species have been considered as in
ferior largely because such prejudice
has been formed against them as to
render them practically valueless on
the lumber market, on which account
they were left in the woods. a total
loss. In many cases the popular con-
ception OF their value has later not
found to be the result of ignorance of
the proper method of handling these
species.
The forest service with district head
quarters in San Francisco is ready to
give what information it may have at
Its command concerning the value and
properties of any wood or to cooperate
with private individuals to make tests
on woods concerning which no informa-
tion is at hand.
One of the chief lines of activities
in the San Francisco office OF products
undoubtedly viii be the preservative
treatment of timber since the condi-
tions Of the timber supply in relation TO
demand in all parts of the country are
such as to make the increase of the
durability Of timber of greatest import
fto those industries dependent upon its
| use. Considerable study in the pres
/ ervation of timber used for crossties
has already been carried on by the
railroads which traverse this region
The Office of products of this district
/ is desiroUs Of coming in touch with
all who use timber where preservation
would lengthen its use, and stands
ready to render practical assistance
both by furnishing information con-
cerning the treatment of timber and
/ by cooperating in the installation and
operation of timber treating plants.