University of Idaho School of Forestry - Forester Yearbook (Moscow, ID)

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50 are rubbed or torn from one another. The masonite process depends upon the explosive force of steam to separate the fibers. Chips are placed in a chamber and steam under high pressure is introduced. This is suddenly re- leased and the internal pressure in the chips causes them to explode producing masses of fiber bundles and individual fibers. The pro- duction of boards by these mechanical proc- esses require the strictest technical control and also much research in the chemistry of lignin and fibers. Many fiber boards are made from wood by chemical digestion or by a combined chemical pulping and mechanical shedding process. The same principle of pulping applies here as in the production of paper pulp. However, the processes used are usually milder and only a portion of the lignin or cementing material is removed from the wood, allowing the fibers to be readily separated by m.ild mechanical action. Intensive research is being carried out on fiber board manufacture. This research covers not only production of the pulp and methods of control during manufacture, but also the water, fire, decay and termite proofing of the boards. The most spectacular of the modern chemi- cal forest industries has been the development of rayon and related products. This industry did not, however, develop overnight but had its beginning in the fundamental cellulose re- search of the nineteenth century. Chardonnet's investigations dating from. 1878 laid the foun- dations for the Chardonnet process which be- gan commercial production in 1900. The pro- duction of rayon by the viscose process began at about the same time as a result of the chemical discoveries of Cross and Bevan, two English chemists. At present 85 per cent of the world's rayon is made by the viscose proc- ess. Purified wood pulp is the principal raw material used. Both the wood pulp which is used to make rayon and the final product are cellulose. They are chemically the same. By chemical means the wood cellulose is modified and brought into a thick viscous solution. This solution is then forced through miniature round openings into an acid bath which trans- forms the fine stream of modified cellulose in solution to a continuous solid cellulose fiber. CELLOPHANE FROM CELLULOSE Rayon is not the only product of the viscose process. If the viscose solution is forced through a slit instead of through fine holes, a thin transparent sheet is obtained, known as cellophane. By mechanical variations other products such as sausage casings, braid, rib- bon, artificial straw and horsehair may be produced. Fruit is sometimes given a pro- tective cellulose coat by a dipping process. The Chardonnet and the acetate processes for rayon both use cotton cellulose for their raw material. From cotton cellulose are also THE IDAHO FORESTER manufactured smokeless powders, various lacquers, plastics, films, toys, safety glass, and a variety of other products. During the war wood cellulose was used for smokeless pow- ders. These proved effective even after 10 years' storage, and there is no reason why the use of Wood cellulose cannot be continued. Research on the refining of pulp to obtain uni- form quality and to control viscosity may en- able the use of wood cellulose in the lacquer and plastic industries. Braconnot in 1819 converted wood cellulose into a simple sugar which was not only edible but fermentable to alcohol as Well. The com- mercial production of sugar and alcohol from wood has received much attention since Bra- connot's time, and partial success has been obtained. In Germany hydrolyzed wood is used as a stock food. Four commercial plants for the production of alcohol formerly operated in this country. Continued research on im- proved production and the increased use of alcohol may put the process on an economical basis not only for the production of alcohol but for a variety of sugars which may be of industrial value. Many other chemical products from Wood may be mentioned. The utilization of wood waste for gas generators offers many interest- ing industrial possibilities. Various wood eX- tractives are used as raw material for tannin, dyes and medicinals. The western larch of the Inland Empire contains a potential raw ma- terial in the form of galactan. Patents have been taken out on the preparation of mucic and oxalic acids from larch galactan. These acids have Wide industrial application. From this brief discussion it is seen that Wood is a chemical raw material and that the chemical utilization of wood is an important part of forest utilization. It is obvious that for the improvement of these chemical prod- ucts from wood and for the extended use- fulness of our forests through the develop- ment of other valuable articles, chemical re- search is an important part of any forest utilization program. Because our knowledge of the chemistry of Wood is still so imperfect there is justification for optimism with regard to future developments in the chemical utiliza- tion of wood. PIGGLY WIGGLY The fire fighting crew just off a 20-hour shift was taken to a restaurant to eat. The Waitress inquired of the first one who hap- pened to be as big and tough as they make them, What will you have, sir? Beef And how do you Want it? Impatiently he replied, Just drive in a steer and I'll bite off what I Want.

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JUNIGRS REPEAT BARBECUE WIN THE Junior Class of the School of Forestry seems to have a monopoly on the Barbecue contests for they again won the tenth annual affair with a handsome margin. The Juniors emerged with a total of 40 points as against the Sophomore total of 24 and the Frosh of 19. The Seniors also competed. Keen rivalry was evident for each class was constantly priming and tuning up its gladiators to fighting pitch and the same spirit which marked the success of the Hrst barbecue held May 24, 1924, at the mill site on the School Forest, was much in evidence at this year's meet. The Barbecue Committee headed by Maurice March, spent Campus Day morning, May 11, 1933, making arrangements for the meet to be held in the afternoon at Luvaas Grove, five miles northeast of Moscow, and had every- thing in readiness for the gang which began arriving at 1:30 p. m. Baseball served to loosen up stiff muscles and put the contestants in a fighting mood for the field meet which was called just in time to prevent a casualty so far as the umpire was concerned. Cranston, senior entry and sprint ace of barbecues of former days, raced neck and neck down the straightaway with March, champion of more recent barbecues and running for the Juniors, only to lose when March stuck out his tongue to win the race. Davis came in third for the Sophs while Stevens, Frosh rep- resentative, came in last. The three-legged race ended in a three-point landing and a win for the Sophomores with the Davis and Ziminski team taking a pretty spill right at the finish. The first win for the Frosh came in the sack race when Nelson crossed the tape a split hair ahead of Wright for the Juniors, followed by Heger for the Sophs. RELAY PUTS SOPHOMORES IN LEAD The judges had difiiculty in selecting the winners of the relay race for the four teams were very evenly matched. The Sophomore team, though, had the edge and this event gave them a one point lead over the Juniors. However, when the scrambled eggs were un- scrambled after the egg-tossing contest, the Juniors were back in the lead with a win by Ledford. The usual caustic statements about the winner using hard-boiled eggs were tossed about prolifically as were the eggs, but when the crash came, such remarks were forgot- ten. Carlson for the Sophs took second place in this event with Larsson for the Seniors third. LEDFORD TAKES ANOTHER FIRST Parker, another Junior, took the tree climb- ing contest, reaching and returning from the 24.3 foot mark in the remarkable time of eleven seconds flat. Newcomb took second place for the Seniors. Ledford's weeks of practice were not suiiicient to displace New- comer's mark made several years ago in the Horseshoe contest, but it was enough to take first place for the Juniors. Frank Cline, Frosh entry, had a backfir-e so was disabled for further contests during the afternoon. In the one man bucking contest, Tumelson for the Sophs pushed and pulled the saw for a handsome win in spite of Sach's persistent coaching and encouragement to his classmate, the Frosh entry, Lownik, who placed second. The two-man bucking contest was won by the Wright-March team for the Juniors with March making a valiant effort to ride the saw without a saddle. The T-bone Hultman- Tumelson combination plac-ed a close second for the Sophomores. LAST EVENT A CLIMAX The final event was a free-for-all in which it was every man for himself and the devil take the hindmost. When each forester had his plate full to over-flowing with luscious food, he was seen to go into a huddle or a cuddle with himself and later to emerge with that satisfied smile prevalent only when all wrinkles are ironed out. By this time Nature was drawing her curtains and nightfall saw the finale of the Tenth Annual Barbecue. Place of Chemical Research KContinu-ed from page 163 building boards. During the past decade this industry has developed rapidly and has as- sumed a position of importance in the building trade. The annual consumption of wall and insulating boards in the United States is now about 900,000,000 square feet. Practically all of this is produced domestically and, in addi- tion, the United States exports about 200,000,- 000 square feet annually. Since fiber boards are largely manufactured from wood they have taken a definite place in the economy of forest utilization. The uses for fiber boards are continually expanding. A recent paper on the subject lists 121 uses for hard pressed and insulation board alone. Besides these two types of fiber boards there are the wall boards which are widely used as a finishing cover for partitions, ceil- ings, and interior walls. Fiber boards are manufactured in order to improve upon cer- tain properties of wood and to add other spe- cific properties for insulation, plaster holding, and acoustics. Many, if not most fiber boards made of wood, utilize sawmill waste. In the Pacific Northwest an insulating board is made from Douglas fir sawmill waste, and several other examples of waste utilization for fiber board manufacture may be cited. MECHANICAL PROCESSES REQUIRE CHEMICAL CoNTRoL Some fiber boards are manufactured entire- ly by mechanical processes by which the fibers 49

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THE IDAHO FORESTER 51 Extension Forestry in Idaho fContinued from page 215 Signs have been erected to attract the atten- tion of the farm traffic to the projects. No quick returns were expected from these plots, but the beneficial results of these managed projects should be evident within a decade, and it is hoped that they will serve as an ob- ject lesson to farm Woodland owners in the respective communities. When suitable co- operators can be located, more of this work will be done. OTHER PROJECTS There has been a slight interest shown, among farmers of Idaho, for the preservative treatment to prolong the life of fence posts. This is not only true of Idaho farmers, but is true in many other states. The cost of coal tar creosoted posts is the least expensive in the long run, but the initial expense is much greater. As long as the farmer can procure posts from thinnings on the National Forests, we cannot expect him to consider creosoting his posts. FOUR-H CLUBS One cannot teach old dogs new tricks, but through the 4-H Club projects we expect to keep our young people interested in the value of forested areas to our state. Four-H forestry clubs have been increasing in enrollment quite steadily, and this phase of the extension proj- ect calls for subject matter for the four years' training. Outlines have been prepared on tree appreciation, tree planting, woodlot im- provement and tree nursery practice. To ad- vance in extension work, much publicity ma- terial is necessaryg through repetition the idea is finally put across. Approval has been given to issue an extension circular on farm forestry for Idaho farmers, and publication will prob- ably occur this year. Forest Service officers have been very willing to co-operate with this department in both county agent and non- county agent counties. Paul Bunyon's Big Top CContinued from page 245 On the second day of the cutting Paul was stepping on 'em trying to get the big canvas set up over the next quarter section when Joe Mufraw, the millboss, came tearing through the drifts leaving a trail of windfalls in his path. Usually excitable, he was now wildly danc- ing around and waving his arms. By Gar, Paul, you cut dead timbair, eh? Why for she's not green? Sucre tete dc coclionf Dese plank -she's come out dry! As Joe explained, hell was popping in the millg the odor of dry scorched wood was in the air, dry slivers were flying in all directions from the head sawsg the bands were running hot and the men could barely keep the boards cleared ahead of the machines as the stock moved out over the green chains-dry as camp hardtack. The steam had dried the trees on the stumps and Joe Mufraw was cutting dry logs! Paul strode over to the mill to see for him- self. He was so tickled to find this true that he slapped Joe on the back with gusto and dis- located his collar bone. Chuckling over his latest invention, he brought over an armful of dry planks for Sourdough Sam to use as kindling Wood in the cook shanty. Paul used the big tent to finish the winter's cut and when warm Weather returned he set it up over his drying yard near the mill. Thus he Was able to season his lumber both summer and winter, and to this day lumbermen have used Paul's idea in kiln drying their product. Associated Foresters fContinued from page 275 banquet are announced elsewhere in The IDAHO FORESTER. Officers for the year are: President, Law- rence Newcombg Vice President, John Cookg Secretary-Treasurer, Charles Wellnerg and Ranger, John Parker. FORESTERS' BALL PROVES UNIQUE AUBR1-:Y ARTHURS, '34 THE annual foresters' ball, one of the out- standing all-college dances of the year, was held November 19 in the Women's Gym- nasium. As has become the custom for this affair, the dance hall was so decorated as to impress one as dancing under a closed forest canopy. Cider was served during the evening at a log cabin which was built among the trees in one corner of the hall. A very realis- tic representation of a forest fire, secured through playing colored lights on an enlarged glass painting, added to the decorations. Paul Bunyan's widely known blue ox, Babe, featured in announcing the various dance numbers. Babe, carrying a placard announcing the dance, was made to cross one end of the floor at scheduled intervals. With another year's training it is hoped the ox will broadcast the information direct. The custo- mary large crowd was present at the dance.