New Booklet on West Coast Hemlock

Distribution has started of a new, 20 page booklet, "West Coast Hemlock: Its Qualities and lJses," just published by the West Coast Lumber Bureau, Seattle. Twenty thousand copies of the booklet are being distributed free on request to retail lumber dealers, architects, contractors, home builders, industrial users and the general public who may be interested in lumber and its uses.

This booklet, which is the second in the Bureau's series of publications on the major forest species of the West Coast, presents in concise form information oh the properties, qualities, and uses of West Coast hemlock. It is attractively illustrated, the purpose being to show through photographs the chief uses of this species and the manner in which the lumber can be employed to the best advantage.

Among the main uses for which West Coast hemlock has achieved wide popularity, as set forth in the booklet, are: general construction purp0ses in residence, barn, and similar types of building; as a material for industrial and wood-working plants; and for boxes, crates, and slack cooperage. Particular emphasis is given to the favor this lumber has gained for flooring, finish, trim, siding, ceiling, partition, studding, joists, framing sheathing, formwork,

ALVrN J. HUSS VTSTTS CALTFORNTA

Alvin J. Huss, representing the Hill-Behan Lumber Company, of Chicago, was a recent visitor in Los Angeles and San Francisco. His concern operate big wholesale and retail lumber yards in both Chicago and St. Louis, and is one of the most active and powerful organizations of its kind in the entire eountry.

For railroad car material, shelving, ladders, cabinet work, and containers. The properties which make West Coast hemlock desirable for each of these uses are discussed brieflv.

Included in the pronounced advantages attributed to this species is its light weight combined with strength, West Coast hemlock being declared one of the stiffest and strongest woods among the conifers in proportion to its weight. Other special qualities are: non-resinous and freedom fiom pitch and gums; ease in working and finishing; uniform hardness of spring and summerwood; superior gluing qualities I exceptional ability to take andhold nails, paints, stains, varnish, and enamels. The booklet also mentions that West Coast hemlock is odorless and tasteless when dry, an essential property for wood to be used in food containers. The wood has an attractive light color, close grain, and little tendency to warp, split or splinter.

A unique distinction among America's commercial woods is claimed for West Coast hemlock in that "it has advanced from virtual obscurity to a position of national importance as a construction material in the brief space of six years. This remarkable record has been achieved entirely on its own merits, its actual use proving its worth, and with little supplementary exploitation."

A. B.HAMMONDVISITS LOS ANGELES

A. B. lfammond, of San Francisco, made one of his occasional trips to Los Angeles during the middle of Tuly, and spent several days visiting the Southern organization, and watching the biggest lumber yards in the world operate in their machine-like manner under the direction of I\{r. Harrv Mcl-eod.