Forest Products Research

The manufacturer of lumber and lumber products does not have as full control over the properties of his material as does the producer of shapes and products in materials like steel, ceramics and concrete. He must take wood as nature gives it to him and can vary its properties only between relatively narrow limits. The author, with much experience in the problem of keeping wood in favor as a construction and industrial material, recognizes its limitations but is hopeful that, through a better knowledge of its properties and uses based on research, and a modification of our conservative attitude toward it, wood will not continue to remain on the defensive.