Forestry Research in Sydney.

Progress, Volume XV, Issue 8, 1 April 1920, Page 770

Forestry Research in Sydney.

A committee consisting of Professor R. D. Watt, of Sydney University (Chairman), Mr. Norman Fraser, of Bell & Fraser (commercial member), and Messrs. R. Dalrymple Hay and N. W. Jolly, Forestry Commissioners, has been appointed by the Government to carry on the forest research work. Details as to the scope of their undertakings and the manner of working are left entirely to the committee, which will he financed by the Commonwealth and State Governments jointly on the basis of pound for pound, not exceeding £SOO each in the first year, nor £I,OOO each in subsequent years. While this cannot be regarded as by any means an extravagant expenditure, the financial limits will not detract from efficiency, particularly if the need for setting up a special laboratory can he overcome by the agricultural laboratory at the University being opened to the committee. The general direction of the inquiries and tests is to be the determination of— The pulping and paper making qualities of indigenous woods and material; ’ To find by distillation the tar, oil, gas, acids, and other properties of indigenous woods; Investigation of starch, spirit and other values in forest products; Investigation of chemical properties of gums, resins and saps; • . Investigation of fibre values of forest material.. This for a commencement will make a fairly full programme, but one which will be capable of expansion as occasion may arise, and in any case the headings quoted suggest a condition of elasticity which should satisfy the ambitions of the most optimistic among us. ; The point of the subject is that a practical start-has been madeanother step has been taken towards placing Australian forest management upon its proper plane.