The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-02-08
WASTE IN LUMBER INDUSTRY.
Leads to Development of Plan to Utilize
the Waste.

Washington, D. C., Feb. s.-Waste in
the logging industry in the United States
amounts to Is to 20 per cent Of the tim.
Der cut, or about billion and half
cubic feet OF wood annually. Sawmill
waste also amounts to several billion
cubic feet of wood, although not all Of
! it is absolute waste. A bulletin on the
subject OF lumber by.products just is
sued by the bureau OF foreign and do
nestle commerce. department OF com
meree, makes the claim that only 800
| feet OF lumber is used for each 900
feet that stood in the forest.
Ii was the prodigious waste Of Ameri-
can forest resources that led the bureau
of foreign and domestic commerce TO
plan thorough study of the methods
of utilizing the waste products of the
lumber industry, here in the United
States and in those European countries
that have made the most distinct prog
ress in this line. In the older and more
thickly settled countries of the old
world necessity led to a careful utili-
zation OF the forests many years be-
fore the subject was seriously discussed
in this country. And in these older
countries many methods have been
worked out that should be Of value in
this country now that the old-time
wasteful methods have been brought into
disrepute. The plan was to have the
American industry profit as much as
possible by the hard earned experience
of the older countries.
Unfortunately the war upset the plan
completely, and there is no immediate
prospect OF making the proposed inves-
tigation. But as the bureau had al
ready engaged Prof II. j.. Benson, a
well known authority on the subject, it
was decided to go ahead and make
study of the industry in this country.
The bulletin just issued is the result
of this study II gives definite idea
OF how far the manufacture of lumber
by.produets has been developed in this
how far it may reasonably be |
expected to develop in the future, and |
Just what some OF the problems are
that confront the industry.
There is a complete review of the /
wood distillation industries, the manu- |
facture of tannin extract, the manu-
facture of the various kinds of wood /
pulp used in the paper industry, the
production of ethyl alcohol from saw
lust, the manufacture of producer gas,
md "a number of other minor products.
The extent to which these industries
ire carried ON is outlined and in case
where an industry is not prospecting
discussion of the causes for such con-
lition is given. Import and export stat.
sites are included when available.
The annual production Of wood pulp
n the United States is valued at over
100000. Sulphite-pulp makers are
considerably interested in the possible
Utilization of the sulphite waste liquor
or the recovery of sulphur or other
utilization. This would result
n a lowering of the cost of sulphite
ulp. The manufacture of kraft pulp
also becoming well established, and is
ringing about the utilization of cheaper
rood.
The utilization of wood for the minor
described in this report is not
Extensive. The manufacture of alco-
oil from sawdust has hardly passed the
Experimental stage. although technical
Zen are optimistic as to the ultimate
iccess of the process. One of the most
lteresting possibilities lies in the use
( hydrolyzed sawdust as a carbohydrate
title food. The use of wood for pro-
ncer gas deserves more extended intro
nction in industrial plants The manu-
lcture OF plasties from wood is still
iveloped in secrecy, and, like the manu-
.cture Of wood liquor, has apparently
zen developed TO a much greater ex-
mt in European countries.
The new bulletin is entitled ~By-prod-
Is Of the Lumber Industry" special
rent series No. 10. and is sold az 10
nts a copy by the superintendent Of
government printing Office,
'ashington. and also BY the district Of
.e Of the bureau Of foreign and domes-
} commerce.