The items appearing here are condensed from newsworthy material collected by FAO staff or submitted by correopondents FAO assumes no responsibility for statements and statistics in items accepted in good faith from contributors.
Argentina
· It is reported that, in the province of Entre Ríos, tenders have been invited for tree planting along the main highways which connect the towns of Paraná, Diamante, Victoria and Nogoyá, comprising a total length of 149 kilometers. The plan for the work, and the planting methods and species to be used, were worked out by the Provincial Forest Service. The species are to be mainly eucalypts and pines, with some oak, acacias and poplars.
This system of placing contracts, the forestry enterprise engaging itself to take care of the trees for 18 months, permits the economical carrying out of roadside planting, a great deal of which is urgently required in the province of Entre Ríos The system might be equally applicable in the rest of the Republic, our correspondent suggests.
Australia
· The Forestry and Timber Bureau, Canberra, has published a Bulletin, Number 33, entitled General Volume Table for Pinus radiata. This publication includes a series of tables giving underbark volumes in cubic feet to 4 inches diameter under bark and it is believed will prove most satisfactory in obtaining standing volumes of Pinus radiata.
Pinus radiata forms the bulk of the coniferous plantations in Australia, and this species has been grown under a wide variety of climatic conditions and soils. It is not surprising, then, that its form and development should differ from one locality to another. A number of local volume tables have been produced, over the years, but in none of the existing tables is it possible to apply corrections to obtain the volume of a tree which differs in form from the average tree represented in the table.
Belgium
· The Supreme Forestry Council was requested by the Minister of Agriculture to examine the reasons for the harmful effects on fish populations of plantations of conifers along waterways in the Ardennes mountains. The committee set up to conduct an enquiry issued the following findings:
1. The plantations of conifers along the rivers and streams cause fish de-population through destroying the spawning-grounds which is fatal to the natural restocking of the waterways.2. They result in the disappearance of waterfowl and upset the distribution of the various species.
3. They deprive the Ardennes valleys of their particular character and beauty.
It appears highly desirable that the floors of the valleys, through which the streams and rivers wind, should remain as far as possible open grassland.
From these aspects, there is a problem of national interest which demands urgent legislative action.
The committee proposed:
1. to create an effective protective zone at least 12 meters wide (15 meters if possible) along the watercourses of the Ardennes;2. to prohibit afforestation or reforestation with coniferous species;
3. to authorize planting and conversion to open stands of deciduous species (mainly poplars) without undergrowth, HO as to maintain, as far as possible, a ground cover of grass. Narrow rows of willows, ash and alder would be permitted along the banks of the waterways, since these trees provide shade and coolness in summer, and their tangled root systems afford excellent refuges for fish.
The non-navigable waterways passing through the forests under the control of the forest service are already closed to fishing and are preserved waterways where the fish may breed. Gradual elimination of conifers, it is considered, would greatly improve breeding, and the committee felt that its recommendations should be made applicable to an even wider territory, bounded on the north, possibly, by the Sambre, the Meuse and the Vesdre. However, in view of the objections lodged on behalf of the owners of private properties, the proposals could only be adopted for those areas under public ownership and administered by the forest service.
Burma
· The structural function of wood has been very effectively and imaginatively employed in the construction of the teak domed Assembly Hall of the Engineering College of the University of Rangoon, Burma, described in a report to FAO by the Projects and Planning Officer of the Burma Forest Industries Department. The architects have made it most modern in conception and construction, expressing the impact of modern technology on local conditions and materials, but it is in complete harmony with its background.
During the early investigations into suitable designs, it became evident that only an arched or domed shaped roof could economically be made to cover a rather large area of 10,500 square feet (975 m') in a single span. The traditional building practice would demand large stanchions and huge girders of steel. The project would be almost impossible with solid timber. But the comparative Costs of possible materiale, such as steel; concrete, aluminium and timber showed that teak would not only satisfy the aesthetic values of design, but also prove to be much cheaper than most imported materials.
Before construction began, load tests were carried out in England on a 12 feet by 12 feet (3.6 m. by 3.6 m.) section of roof built by the contractors (Taylor Woodrow Construction Ltd.). A special laboratory was used to reproduce the severe climatic conditions of Rangoon, and this test section was subjected to a cycle of rapid drying and wetting 24 hours a day for one month to determine the durability of wood, glue and protective coatings proposed to be used for the project. Normally, the test consisted of two hours' soaking, during which time the temperature dropped to 100° F. (38.5°C) or thereabouts and four hours heating at approximately 190°F. (87.8°C) with a humidity of 90 to 96 percent.
The Assembly Hall, which can accommodate 800 to 1,000 students, is 153 feet (46 m.) long, 93 feet (26 m.) wide and 38 feet (12 m.) high. It resembles a large turtle shell in shape. The roof or dome is made up of five layers of teak-boards glued and screwed together with layers or laminates at an angle of 45° to each other. The whole roof is, in effect, a huge moulded plywood. The deep overhanging eaves are designed to obviate the necessity of wallings even during the rainy season.
The dome weighs more than 140 tons. It is well supported on two tubular steel portal frames set 111 feet 8 inches apart (33 m.) and eight steel posts on each side of the dome also share the colossal load. Two laminated beams, 12 inches (30 cm.) by 9 inches (22.5 cm.) by 111 feet 8 inches (33 m.) long, are inserted on each side of the dome at 2 feet 3 inches (59 cm.) from the edge to take tension.
The top layer of the roof is to be covered with copper sheets to protect the dome against weathering. Although teak itself is naturally resistant to most enemies of timber, even additional coatings of various proprietary brands of paints and preservatives failed to protect the test sample against the severe test conditions in the special laboratory. The deterioration of the upper surface would seriously affect the stability of the dome and considerably shorten its intended life as the thickness of the roof itself is basically structural.
This remarkable piece of timber engineering with its revolutionary structural principles is a monument to the versatility of wood as well as a tribute to the outstanding qualities of Burma teak. It will also serve as a constant reminder to the future architects and engineers of Burma how the tremendous advances in timber design techniques, promoted by developments in adhesives, timber connectors, calculated dimensions and prefabrication methods, have contributed in overcoming the old limitations of wood and enabling it to compete successfully with steel and concrete in the most exacting engineering requirements.
East Africa
· Tree growth of 36 feet (11 m. 76 cm.) in 23 months was mentioned at the 12th Congress of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations, which is referred to earlier in this issue. The Director of the East African Agriculture and Forestry Research Organization said that a species of eucalyptus, Eucalyptus saligna, in East Africa has made this amazing rate of growth, due largely to the fact that the seasons were insufficiently marked to cause any appreciable slowing down. In four years this species produced wood for fuel; in 6 years, poles for native huts; and in 8 to 10 years, timber for permanent houses. The proposed rail link from East African territories to Northern Rhodesia would no doubt help greatly to develop a further market for such timber.
India
· Research work carried out, at the instance of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, at the Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, on the production of high alpha cellulose pulp from Eucalyptus globulus has shown that it is possible to use this species for the manufacture of viscose rayon pulp. Blue gum plantations have been raised on the Nilgiri Hills where there are plans to extend the plantations.
The pulp was prepared on a laboratory scale by the prehydrolysis-sulphate process, the yield being about 42 percent, and was tested by a well-known rayon pulp manufacturing firm in Germany, whose report was positive.
This is the first time that viscose rayon pulp has been prepared in India, even on the laboratory scale, from wood grown in the country. Other species are being tested.
Iran
· The nomination of General Akhavi as Director-General of the Forest Administration, and a decision to entrust the army with the protection of the forests in zones where the forest service has not yet been built up (for instance in the south and west of Iran), shows that the authorities are fully aware of the importance of the country's forest resources and have decided to assure their rigid protection, even if this involves some friction
The new organization of the northern forests comprises 12 conservancies, under the control of four Inspectors-general. In each conservancy a system is being introduced gradually whereby every forest guard would control 2,600 hectares; four guards would be grouped under one brigadier (10,000 ha.); three brigades would constitute a sub-inspectorate (30,000 ha.), three sub-inspectorates would make an inspectorate (90,000 ha.), and three inspectorates one conservancy (270,000 ha.). The rest of the country will also come under the general protection of the army, especially in regard to fire-protection and control of cutting. A regular forest service will be progressively extended and established over the coming years.
An FAO Forestry Mission has been serving in Iran for some years.
Ireland
· Agriculture is of primary importance to Irish economy and national policy is directed towards the expansion of agricultural productivity to the greatest possible extent. The national forest policy must of necessity be ancillary to, and not in conflict with, the drive for the development of agricultural resources. This factor has a most important effect on the acquisition of land for forestry. Agricultural land of high quality is not acquired for forestry purposes except in the ease of land required for nursery purposes. Of course, small enclaves of agricultural land may Sometimes be acquired with large surrounding areas of land primarily suitable for forestry purposes, but this is unavoidable. It may be stated generally, therefore, that it is forest policy to afforest only such land as is inferior or substandard from an agricultural point of view.
An important feature of forestry activities in recent years has been the planting with mechanical assistance of extensive peat areas which would have been incapable of economic development by traditional manual methods. There are very large tracts of such land available in the country and if, as is hoped, recent experimentation establishes definitely that the planting of such land is an economic proposition, there will be room for much greater expansion of forestry operations on peat soil-types, particularly in the underdeveloped areas along the western sea-board where additional sources of productivity and of steady employment are badly needed.
Labor requirements for forestry do not conflict to any appreciable extent with the needs of agriculture. In fact, a large part of the forestry labor force is drawn from the ranks of small farmers with uneconomic holdings or the sons of farmers whose holdings are incapable of providing a livelihood for them. When it is borne in mind that the average size of the Irish farmer's holding is small (the total arable land is divided into 379,637 holdings), it will be realized that forestry provides a valuable additional source of employment for the surplus labor available in rural districts and assists in stemming the flow of migration to urban areas and of emigration to other countries.
Switzerland a In order to ensure desirable cooperation between all and private individuals interested in the raising and utilization of poplar, a Swiss Poplar Working Party has been formed, with the aim of facilitating and improving poplar production through propagation of high quality planting material, and properly organizing its distribution. Membership is open to anyone interested in poplar cultivation and prepared to co-operate.
At a first meeting, the working party discussed problems of controlling the growth of various poplar varieties bred at the central nursery in Zurich, and the establishment of a public information service. In order to determine the localities suitable for poplar plantations, it was proposed that a poplar register be established in co-operation with the federal and cantonal departments dealing with agriculture, country planning, and protection of nature.
United Kingdom
· An Institute of Wood Science came into existence in December 1955, when it was incorporated under the Companies Act. The need for such an institution had been felt for a considerable time and has become more urgent since nationwide courses on timber technology were organized in 1945. Many past students of these courses have maintained or increased their interest in wood science, and it was with the feeling that some national body should be formed, that a number of those interested in the project met; from their many discussions the new Institute was born.
This original committee was representative of all branches of wood science and among its members were wood technologists, botanists, chemists, consultants, representatives of the timber trade, technical colleges, and technical associations. The name "wood science" was chosen because it includes all aspects of the scientific study of wood from anatomy to the chemistry of wood adhesives, and from kilning to the design of wooden structural units.
As stated in the Articles of Association, the purpose of the Institute is "to advance the scientific, technical, practical and general knowledge, of persons interested in the study of wood and allied subjects." It will be seen therefore, that the Institute will eater for the broadest possible interests of those concerned with the technical aspects of wood and its utilization.
It is intended to publish a Journal of Wood Science which will contain original articles dealing with all aspects of wood science and in which there will be considerable space devoted to reviews and summaries of current research, and a news bulletin, containing summaries of talks, book reviews, announcements of meetings, and other relevant matter, which should be of interest to the members, and which will keep them informed of the nation-wide activities of the Institute.
United States of America
· Press reports have spoken of industry plans to construct a completely integrated forest products manufacturing plant, at a cost estimated at about $15 million, which will be the first such development in the State of California. The plant is scheduled to be completed in 1957.
In addition to facilities for processing lumber including a sawmill, drying kilns, and a planing mill, the new installation will be designed to include a molded pulp plant which will convert lumber and wood residues into fibre products.
The plant is designed with an initial capacity to process some 85 million board feet of lumber annually, and the molded pulp plant, which will manufacture products from mechanically-produced groundwood, will have an initial rated capacity of 30,000 tons a year.
Development is said to have hinged upon the elimination of any possible effluent disposal problem.
"The methods developed by scientists and engineers to achieve full-log utilization, includes the Use of an effluent treatment plant which encompasses the very latest in design and engineering principles of water purification systems. This controlled treatment plant, plus the Use of secondary settling basins which will be completely separated from the river, will insure the return of water to the Sacramento river as clear and pure as that obtained by any municipality on the river."
Products to be produced will in elude egg cartons; disposable plates for home, industrial and institutional use; pie and cake plates for bakeries, and molded pulp containers used for pre-packaging meats and other food sold in self-service markets.
· A committee of the Society of American Foresters on the history of forestry in the U.S.A. has studied the need for and feasibility of preparing a series of histories covering comprehensively the many aspects and institutions in the entire diversified field. Various histories covering one phase or another have appeared in the past, such as Gifford Pinchot's personal memoirs, the histories of several of the older forest schools and the like, but the committee concluded that coverage to date and in prospect is piecemeal and incomplete, and thus proposed an aggressive program, sponsored and financially supported by the Society, to speed up the work.
One cause for urgency is that so many of the senior foresters who were active and leading participants in the history have vanished, and mortality rate among survivors is high. Much of the historical record is in the form of closed institutional files containing correspondence and manuscript reports, and such material tends to vanish since few institutions are zealous in preserving it.
A few pieces of work are under way on an individual basis, including a history of the origins and development of the State Division of Forestry in California under preparation by C. R. Clar, a member of the Division, and a history of the development of forest fire control on the National Forests in California by S. B. Show, long a member of the U.S. Forest Service and afterwards serving with FAO. The committee recognized that pioneering in these fields was of particular significance and interest, but there were other areas such as range management and the development of organization, personnel and administration which were of live interest as well
In addition to histories in the functional fields, the committee seeks for histories of the main institutions, such as the American Forestry Association and the Western Forestry and Conservation Association which did notable work in the western U.S.A. A history of the first 25 years of the Forest service was under preparation by W. B. Greeley, a former Chief of the Service, at the time of his death, and there is no readily available person to carry on and complete this work.
Though there are formidable difficulties in financing the costs of preparation and publication of such a series, the outlook is at least hopeful for the Society's project.
Correction
In Unasylva Vol. 10. No. 3, News of the World, page 144, the heading "Germany (Federal Republic)" should read "Austria".
