Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 65, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1910 — FLOUR MADE OF SAWDUST. [ARTICLE]

FLOUR MADE OF SAWDUST.

Not Used In Breadmakln*, but for Dynamite and Other Thinks. Flour from sawdust is another step in the movement for the conservation of forest resources. The United States consul at Christiania, Norway, has sent to this government a suggestion along this line which may be of value to American lumbermen who are wrestling with the problem of sawdust waste. The flour in question is not the kind which goes into the making of light, fluffy biscuits, and the other kinds which are not light, or flaky pastry; but it is an Ingredient of dynamite, linoleum, xyolite, which, for the information of the man on the street, is a kind of artificial flooring, and other things. It is not put forward as a new discovery, for it has been in use for several years in Europe, and to a small extent in this country. The wood flour is ground in a cheap mill very similar to those which grind corn and rye. Pine and spruce sawdust is used in Europe, and after pass,ing through the stones and the bolting chest it is sacked or baled for shij>;ment. It is then worth sl2 to sl3 a ton. The flour has a number of uses, one of which is in the making of dynamite. It is the absorbent for the nitroglycerin, which is the explosive ingredient. Wood flour dynamite is inferior to that made with infusorial earth as the absorbent, but it serves ( many purposes and is cheaper. But dynamite is one of the smallest prospective uses for the product. Linoleum makers mix it with linseed oil and give body to their floor coverings. It is considered not quite equal to ground cork for this purpose, as it is less elastic; but it is cheaper and I meets requirements for medium grades. | The flour fills an important place in , th* manufacture <of xyolite, a kind of I artificial flooring, resembling wood in weight and stone in other respects, It is used for kitchen floors, and in hall*, 'corridors, cases, restaurants and public rooms. It is practically fireproof. .It is floor material in some of the Geriman war vessel* It is so used b»

cause It is not liable to take fir* or splinter if struck by shells. Many additional uses for wood flour Will probably be found. The amount of sawdust to be had in this country Is practically unlimited, and millmen will welcome any plan that will lessen the waste at the sawdust dump. Norway exports thousands of tons of this sawdust flout yearly, and the United States takes some of it. Germany is a large manufacturer also, and has been for years. England is an extensive buyer and much goes to France.