Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-18

Utilization Of timbers heretofore con-
sidered practically worthless from
commercial point Of view, the CONVEX
sion of millions of acres of timber
bearing swamp lands of the south into
sources of wealth and immense addi-
tons to the revenue-producing possi-
bilities Of the lumber and timber In
dustry of the entire south are made
possible by the perfection of a new
process of timber drying, details OF
which have just been made public.
Tests of the new process continuing
over moro than five years. it is stated
have demonstrated that by it's appiica-
ton black gum and tupelo gum timber.
Of which more than 50,o00.000 acres
stand in the southern states. may be
converted into marketable timber in
few hours, Under old methods of dry
ing and seasoning. it is stated. such
timber has never before been made a
commercial product.
steam-Dried in Vacuum.
The new method, which is called
lumber vulcaniZing process. consists OF
driving the timber under superheat in
q vacuum. Tests observed by agents OF
the United States forest service and by
,ie and timber agents of railroads and
nv practical lumbermen show. accord
ing to official statements, that black
gum. tupelo gum and other timbers
hearing an excessive amount OF saps,
nv this method are dried thoroughly
without injury to the wood in twenty
four hours.
According to statements made today.
exhaustive tests OF the new PROCESS process
New York, when it was demonstrated
that black and tupelo gum planks one
inch thick, green from the saw, were
thoroughly dried in twenty-four hours
the lumber coming out of the Vulcaniz-
ing process straight and free from
cracks, and with q material hardening
and Strengthening of the nber. the
crushing and transverse strength or
the yulcaniZed lumber being approx
mateIy four times that of green lumber
| of the same kind.
The new process. 1t was stated, con-
sists OF drying the lumber in steel
cylinders under superheated steam ana
| in vacuum. The lumber. right from the
saw is placed on cars and the loaded
cars are sealed in the cylinders. where
the superheated steam is applied Tor
definite period. Explanation given OF
the working of the new method Is that
the steam penctrates to the heart OF
the green timbers. raising the sap
water to boiling point and bringing 1t
quickly to the surface of the lumber.
| thus eliminating the condition known
| to lumbermen as case-hardening.
The vacuum feature of the process. 1t
was explained, makes it possible to
bring about this result at lower tenn
perature than would be possible other
| wise, thus not only avoiding injury
to the structure OF the wood. but
actually making the lumber better
Heavy Losses in South.
Losses to the lumber industry of the
south by reason of deterioration of
seasoning lumber ION the sticks" for
a year or more. it was stated. are
heavy, for the reason that much of the
lumber is cracked. warped or split in
the old processes of seasoning either
| in the open air or in drying kilns. The
lumber is also likely to become seri-
ously affected by molds and incipient
decay in the long process of seasoning,
II was stated. the assertion being made
that all Of these causes Of deteriora-
ton and loss are obviated through the
vulcanizing process.
| Large contracting and lumber con-
! Germs in New York and in the south