Synthetic Lumber

One result of the steady deforestation of the U. S. by timber-cutting concerns has been a steady rise in the price of lumber. The day was when few commodities in this country were as cheap as building-lumber. This condition has now become definitely a thing of the past.

Now the proposal is advanced to make synthetic lumber on a wholesale scale out of waste sugar-cane fibre and other such industrial byproducts. B. G. Dahlberg of Chicago is the proponent of this idea and a frank enthusiast over its practical possibilities.

Synthetic lumber, according to Mr. Dalhberg, is actually superior to natural lumber in several ways. For one thing, it possesses superior insulating qualities; homes' built of it would be cooler in Summer and warmer in Winter in consequence and coal bills would thereby be reduced. Secondly, it deadens sound and would thus make dwellings more comfortable and even more healthy. Finally, it is cheaper than natural timber, and being lighter as well, would incur lower transportation charges, which are an important element in lumber costs. As Mr. Dahlberg sees it, the rapid depletion of U. S. forests is bound to make of synthetic lumber manufacturing one of the world's greatest future industries.