Expanded Technical Assistance Program
Second Conference on Mechanical Wood Technology
International Poplar Commission
Near East regional meeting
Conference on tropical land use
Technical Assistance in Forestry
Sufficient time has now elapsed since the inauguration of the Forestry program under the Expanded Technical Assistance Program (ETAP) for certain trends to appear and conclusions to be drawn from them. As will be seen by the table on page 122 the Forestry Division now has 65 experts in 22 countries. Agreements with countries have been of three kinds: firstly, individual experts to make general recommendations regarding forest policy and development; secondly, specialists on specific projects; and thirdly, well organized missions to make more thorough studies of the forestry situation and possibilities of economic development.
The countries seeking forestry assistance fall into two main categories, namely, those with no, or very rudimentary, forestry administration where experts must start from scratch and those with fairly well organized forest services, but which are lacking in modern techniques of extraction and the processing of forest products.
A further feature worthy of note is that some countries have excellent forest legislation on their statute books, but owing to political, social or economic difficulties stemming from inefficiency of administration, lack of trained personnel, financial problems, or from land tenure conditions, enforcement has proven impossible. In many countries forest exhaustion is proceding apace through the cumulative ravages of shifting cultivation and burning for fodder.
It is becoming increasingly obvious that the cure for these ills cannot be found in the prescription of forestry measures alone. Fundamental questions of land use, including agricultural and pastoral pursuits rooted deep in the way of life of under developed and uneducated rural populations, have to be examined. Joint action affecting many departments of governments and involving social and economic programs of major national importance need to be taken to stop the march of forest destruction and consequent acceleration of soil denudation and erosion.
Experts faced with problems of this magnitude have need of all their reserves of experience and judgment and the full support and counsel of the Forestry Division. In the words of the Chief of one of the Forestry Division's most important missions, "They must not frustrate easily." It is quite evident that technical assistance, to be effective, must be continuous over a period of years and must mean the doing of many things that were not envisaged when the program was initiated.
One important fact has emerged from requests for technical assistance received thus far, namely, the predilection of countries for help in the development of forest industries, irrespective of whether the extent of the forest resources are known or any effective management for continuous production is established. This is but a symptom of the world urge for industrialization to improve standards of living, and, as such, must be treated most sympathetically by FAO. It is, however, the responsibility of the Forestry Division to see that its experts preserve a proper balance and call the attention of countries to the necessity of parallel advance in the organization and management of forest resources.
The accent on problems of industrial development distinguishes Forestry Division activities from those in most other phases of the over-all FAO Expanded Technical Assistance Program. It means thorough consideration of economic and financial problems, not only within the country but in relation to world demand for forest products. The large capital investments required to establish plants for conversion into pulp, fiberboard or other products will often mean recourse to external sources for financing On the other hand it is only by establishing such industries, capable of using species now disregarded, that the working of large areas of tropical forests can be planned on an economic basis.
The Division's policy is to leave it to its experts in the field, after examination on the spot, to suggest to recipient countries the nature and extent of the expanded assistance that FAO should provide. Certain basic needs are, however, crystallizing. The first is the requirement in some countries for the immediate provision of a nucleus of trained personnel for the establishment or strengthening of forest administrations. The policy proposed is to accept requests from countries for a senior forestry advisor to the government, and possibly a nucleus of trained sub-professional staff. From the standpoint of FAO this personnel will have advisory functions only. They will, however, be allowed to accept executive duties in a national administration on request of the ministry concerned, subject to agreement that FAO will not be in any way responsible for action taken in pursuance of the exercise of such executive functions.
The second need is the complementary phase of the policy indicated above, namely, an expansion of the fellowship program to send national personnel abroad for training so that, on return, they may take over from FAO experts temporarily assigned as advisors to their governments. Greater attention will be paid also to the possibility of sending forestry officers in existing administrations under fellowships either for specific courses of study to improve their usefulness in their own specialties or to make general tours to acquaint themselves with the latest developments in their particular lines of activity in other parts of the world. An interesting-project in this connection is the proposed Eucalyptus Study Tour in Australia. This genus is of great economic importance in plantations in many parts of the: world. Species in present use have not been selected on a scientific basis and there is room for great improvement in potential yields by use of species or strains better adapted to the climatic and soil conditions of the plantation areas. An opportunity to view eucalyptus in the many varied environments existing in Australia should prove of great practical benefit.
A third primary need is for facilities for the training of subordinate personnel of sub-professional status (forest rangers, forest foremen, etc.). It is proposed to accept requests from countries for the setting up of national training centers for which FAO will provide instructors, both professional and sub-professional, and essential equipment. Plans for 1952 foresee the possibility of perhaps ten such schools.
A fourth essential requirement is for the further development of regional training centers. The Government of India has offered to make Dehra Dun available as a research and training center for the Far East, and discussions are underway to determine how technical assistance can best be provided to take advantage of this offer. In Latin America proposals have been made for the creation of a research center in Brazil possibly using, in part, the facilities of an existing private research organization. This project is also receiving close consideration. A new development is the plan for the setting up of a regional training center for mechanical logging in the Far East. It is hoped that this will come being in 1952.
Lastly, there is need for a more liberal policy in the provision of equipment for demonstration purposes in the forestry field proper, this is particularly important in inventory work. It is proposed to supply missions with technical apparatus for the interpretation of aerial photographs, most of which are unobtainable in recipient countries because of exchange or other financial difficulties. The expansion of regional training centers will call for important expenditures in testing and in mechanical logging equipment. New policy directives from the Technical Assistance Board will enable the Division to arrange for procurement of essential needs.
How the Program Is Carried On
The case of Pakistan gives a good idea of the kind of work that is being done.
The Government asked FAO to send three experts (A. Rule, U.K.; F. Cermak., France; J. A. von Monroy, Austria) in forestry and forest products to Pakistan; a wood chemist with special experience in pulp, fiberboard and allied operations; a logging specialist; and a sawmill technician, experienced in the lay-out, organization and management of sawmills for hardwood. Their work was mainly to be concentrated in the Chittagong and Chittagong Hill areas where new milling and other developments are projected. In addition, FAO sent G. M. Hocking (U.S.A.), chemist specializing in medicinal plants, of which there are a considerable number that need further study from the standpoint of economic importance and possible improvement of yields; he has, in fact, already completed his assignment.
At this time, only preliminary notes on the early field work in these areas are available. Some of the comments of the logging expert are worth quoting because they give a vivid impression of conditions encountered in many parts of the world by men sent out on this kind of work.
During a typical period on his first survey trip Mr. Rule traveled 320 miles by river in shallow-draft boats, 200 miles by jeep, 50 miles on foot through forest areas impassable in any other way, and some distance by elephant.
He wrote:
"For the past six weeks or so I have been going as flat out as the local transportation system allows in an effort to cover as much ground as possible before the big monsoon when all forest travel and operations except rafting, stop dead. Actually, I got caught for almost a fortnight in a sort of pre-monsoon while in the Chittagong Hill tracts. This wrecked my itinerary schedule, which was largely based on potentially jeepable roads or tracks. On the other hand, it made some river sections temporarily negotiable by dugout canoe, if only 1 ½ miles per hour upstream..."On my tour, the early monsoon phase in the Chittagong Hill tracts brought out leeches, sand flies and mosquitoes in great numbers. I have survived all that - even a bad blackwater fever area and the inevitable prickly heat. Not only survived, but enjoyed it....
"From the point of view of reports and correspondence the situation has been hopeless even with the best will in the world. Time and again I have attempted to write when the worst heat of the day has passed, only to be driven nearly mad by flying insects of all sorts, attracted by the lamplight....
"Incidentally, my recent experience of public road transport amply confirmed my worst fears of the danger of launching a mechanization program of any size in the tropics unless backed by adequate communications, repair and service organization and supplies of spares....
"Just before the onset of the monsoon I was able, in the Cox's Bazaar district, to appraise the value of making feeder roads. Forest revenue in one area has more than trebled following the construction of even a rough fair-weather track."
In connection with the mechanization of forest operations this expert notes that many non-technical officials and others who are not technically trained, "would like to rush into mechanization in every field without considering the consequences or the preplanning necessary, though the bad results, fortunately on a small scale as yet, are everywhere to be seen."
ASIA AND THE FAR EAST
Regional Projects and Programs
The first session of FAO's Forestry Commission for Asia and the Pacific held at Bangkok, Thailand, in October 1950, recommended that a regional training course in lumber grading be held in Singapore, or Manila, for sawmill foremen as a practical means of increasing efficiency in sawmills. The course which is being arranged will also be an important step toward obtaining international standardization of grading rules for tropical hardwoods, a development which FAO has been actively fostering.
The Government of India has offered to place its Forest Research Institute and Colleges at Dehra Dun at the disposal of the south-east Asia region as a center of forestry research and education. The offer is one which FAO particularly welcomes since it attaches great importance to the regional approach, and also because certain governments are requesting technical assistance scholarships which might, in many eases, best be provided at Dehra Dun.
A regional training course was held at Lahore in J. 1950 on the economic appraisal of development projects. The course, an outcome of a discussion on the region's needs for investment at the first FAO regional meeting in Singapore a year earlier, covered a period of three months. During that time the Government of Pakistan the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the United Nations and the World Health Organization, co-operated with FAO in conducting a series of lectures, seminars and field trips for more than 50 officials from eight governments in the south-east Asia region. E. Glesinger, of FAO's Forestry Division, lectured on "Forestry Development in Relation to the Economy of Asia."
Planning development programs and projects is a relatively new undertaking for many governments. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and other agencies found, in the early stages that many of the projects submitted were not adequately considered in all their aspects and, in some cases, did not have a sufficiently sound basis to justify loans or the commitment of highly trained technical people from outside. The Lahore school was intended to help responsible government officials to do an adequate job of discovering and appraising development possibilities in their countries, and to put the proposals into such form that they would be convincing to those responsible for providing technical or financial aid including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the U.S. Export-Import Bank, FAO, the bilateral Point Four organizations of the U.S.A., and the governments cooperating in the Colombo Plan.
The course in Pakistan was so successful that two more courses of the same type have been scheduled this year: one in Ankara, Turkey, for the Mediterranean Basin, beginning 1 October, and one in Santiago, Chile, for Latin America, beginning 26 September. 1
1 Two publications, both published by the Technical Assistance Administration of the United Nations in New York, resulted from the Lahore School: Report on the Asian Center on Agricultural and Allied Projects, 2 Oct.-15 Dec., 1950, pp. 38, a narrative account of the course; Formulation and Economic Appraisal of Development Projects, in two volumes, pp. 783 the lectures given at the school.
Country Projects and Programs
Burma. Burma has been receiving help from FAO in forestry production. The country has large under-populated areas and rich forest resources capable of much greater development. Teak is third in importance among exports. At the Government's request, FAO sent a forestry expert (J. A. von Monroy, Austria) to Burma in the latter part of 1950 to select a forest area suitable for the integrated development of forest industries, and to draw up working plans and estimates of capital cost. K. A. Miedler, Australia, has been appointed as logging expert. Two fellowships have also been provided for senior Burmese forestry officers.
Ceylon. In Ceylon there is a fairly well-balanced program of technical assistance, involving 15 exports and covering various aspects of agriculture forestry, fisheries and nutrition. The forestry experts include a woodworking machinist (J. Mc Veigh, U.K.) to train local staff for a shop-laboratory to carry on research in the working qualities of Singhalese timber, and a forestry engineer (A.C. Décamps France) who is advising the Government on logging and timber extraction operations and the construction of forest roads.
India. One expert on wood technology (F.F. Kollmann, Germany) has already been sent to India and two other forestry experts will be sent in addition to a specialist in sawmill operation (V. Hasek) and an expert to investigate the setting up of a wood pulp mill. Two Fellowships will also be provided.
Indonesia. The people and the new Government of Indonesia need help in rebuilding their country.
In March 1950, a group of experts from the United Nations, including representation by FAO, made a preliminary survey of Indonesia's needs for technical assistance. Subsequently, several United Nations agencies have provided a number of experts to serve for long periods in the country. Two of these, concerned with agriculture and forestry, are from FAO.
Nepal. Nepal is not yet a member of FAO, but the Government is seeking the assistance of four experts to advise on farm management and the integrated development of forests and agriculture. The work would fit into a governmental program to develop the agricultural, forest and mineral resources of Nepal to achieve a higher standard of living for its people. Technicians sent by the Swiss Confederation have been in the country for some time carrying on background investigations which will provide the basis for further development of farms and forests.
Pakistan. Technical assistance work in Pakistan has been described earlier.
Thailand. A forestry management expert (A. N. Barker, U.K.) is advising on the formulation of working plans a forest plantation expert (C. Letourneux, France), on the organizing of large scale plantations and the training of personnel in the use of mechanical equipment, an expert in forest surveying (J. W. Gonggryp, Netherlands), on organizing a unit and initiating a program to survey forest resources; and an expert in sawmilling techniques (K. G. McAlister, U.S.A.), on the modernization of sawmills.
THE NEAR EAST AND AFRICA
Regional Projects and Programs
A project of great potential significance is the proposed African Training Center for Agricultural Statistics which FAO has been discussing with representatives of several metropolitan governments. The proposal originated after the establishment of the European Center of Applied Statistics and Demographics in Paris, in 1949.
One of the reasons why so little is known about so much of Africa is that statistical information, including agricultural statistics, has not reached a very advanced stage of development there. For one thing it is extremely difficult to discover and report the facts about large parts of these great under-populated and primitive territories; it requires special statistical techniques, and the methods employed in other countries often cannot be applied without considerable adaptation. In addition, official statistical services are often meager, and, in many cases, more training is needed. The proposed training center would be designed to help meet both these needs.
The project was submitted to the. African Statistical Conference, held in Salisbury, Rhodesia, July - August 1951. The Conference "generally agreed that the need for such a censor is urgent." Details of organization and program were discussed and agreed upon.
Country Projects and Programs
Cyprus. Heavily over-grazed lands in The foothills of Cyprus take up about a third of the island. The over-grazing brings about low productivity and serious soil erosion so that silt is dumped in large quantities on the cultivated croplands below.
Proper regulation of grazing and maintenance of the soil cover might double the carrying capacity of the foothills area for livestock, besides lessening damage through erosion. FAO has sent an expert on range management and soil conservation under similar conditions (A.B. Cashmore, Australia) to advise the Government. Later, it is possible that Cyprus may be used as a demonstration center for grazing land adjustments applicable to tee Near East, where sheep and goats, in many places, play an important part in the agricultural economy.
A regional meeting was held in Cyprus early in 1950 on land use and soil conservation problems.
Ethiopia. The forests of Ethiopia are reported to be rich in valuable trees. The forestry expert sent by FAO (E.H. Swain, Australia), is now making a thorough survey of the possibilities of development. In due course he will advise the Government on the formulation of a sound forest policy and forestry legislation, as well as on the setting up of an adequate forestry service.
Iran. A specialist in forest range management (V. Carocci Buzi, Italy) is to study conditions and problems and supervise the establishment of experimental areas to demonstrate the application of-good modern practices; an agronomist, specializing in range management, is to work with the forest range specialist, particularly on seeding adapted varieties of grasses and introducing forage production on croplands to relieve the pressure on forest ranges and pastures. Besides the range specialist already mentioned, an expert on forest utilization (E. Uhart, France), is in the country, to study particularly the charcoal problem, since the widespread use of charcoal as fuel is a large factor in depleting the forest resources of the country, and an expert on wood technology (W. Varossieau, Netherlands) is there to start a program of research work with students in the Forestry Post-graduate Division of the University of Teheran.
Syria. According to the latest news, the Government has recently signed an agreement with FAO for technical assistance in forestry. This agreement will include a request for forest specialists and six fellowships the specialists will comprise an expert on forest inventories and management, an expert on reforestation and soil conservation and an expert on afforestation. The necessity for protecting and improving existing forests and carrying out reforestation work soil conservation, and tree planting outside forested areas, in conjunction with agriculture, is now generally recognized by the Government.
LATIN AMERICA
Regional Projects and Programs
The Latin American Forestry and Forest Products Commission held its third session in Santiago, Chile, 11 December 1950, and among other topics, examined progress made regarding the proposed Forest Research and Training Institute for the region.
The Commission instructed FAO to ask Member Governments for a clear and final expression of their views regarding the setting up of such an institute. This has been done in a memorandum recounting the history of the project.
Country Projects and Programs
Brazil. Brazil is carrying out a program of economic and social development, partly as an outcome of the Salte Plan, with direct assistance from the Government of the U.S.A. To help round out this development program, FAO services are being provided, or are proposed, in connection with forestry, agricultural technology, fisheries, rural welfare, nutrition and food technology. A Brazilian technical assistance committee and the FAO office in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are co-ordinating activities in the program as a whole.
The fact that Brazil has vast forest resources, which are not used to anything like their full capacity, throws great emphasis on forestry in the development program. We are asked to provide the services of three forestry experts, who would be concerned with the development of forest resources and industries in the Amazon valley. These comprise an expert on modern logging methods (K. McGrath, Australia), one on forest industries (R. Gachôt, France) and a third on marketing. Arrangements would be made for consultation with the International Bank on finance and credit questions as the Amazon project progressed.
The Government of Brazil is also considering the establishment of a research laboratory and pilot plant for the pulping of tropical species of hardwoods. The country imports considerable quantities of pulp and paper products, which it might well supply from its own huge timber resources and perhaps even ship to other Latin American countries.
Chile. A mission to Chile is headed by an expert (E. I. Kotok, U.S.A.) on forest policy and research and includes A. Cosigny (France) and C. Pilla (Italy), experts on reforestation and soil conservation, A.H. Stein (U.K.) for forest management, and L. Hartmann (Finland) for forest industries. This group is concerned with general forest policy and the organization of a national program of forest research; the protection of areas in northern Chile from the encroachment of the desert by reforestation and other land rehabilitation practices; afforestation and rational exploitation of forests in southern Chile, where extensive areas of commercial timber are located, soil conservation and protection of natural renewable resources; development of forest industries.
Colombia. Colombia has under way a comprehensive technical assistance program in which several United Nations organizations are co-operating. This program developed in part out of recommendations made by a previous mission of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. FAO is providing five of the ten experts working on the program as well as the technical assistance representative for the whole group. Among these experts is a forester (M. von Bottenburg, Netherlands), who is making a basic survey of all aspects of the forest economy as a first step in formulating detailed proposals for a well-rounded development program. Two further experts on forest inventories and industries are being recruited.
Guatemala. A forester (M. Rocher, France) has been in Guatemala since last October and two forest entomologists (G. Becker and F. Schwerdtfeger Germany), have also been sent. This is in connection with the broad program of the Guatemalan Government for forest development, designed in part to offset damage done by unwise exploitation, which has helped to favor heavy insect infestations especially of bark beetles in pine. The basic aim of our work is the adoption of a sound forest policy which will include the protection of forest resources in the interests of flood control and stabilization of watercourses. Much attention is being given to the training of forestry personnel to carry out such a policy.
Haiti. FAO has provided a forestry adviser (L. Burns, U.K.), to assist the Government in a program of reforestation and soil conservation including the possible development of large enough supplies of forest products to meet the domestic needs of Haiti and furnish a surplus for export.
Honduras. Honduras has exceptionally rich forest resources (Honduran mahogany is world famous), but they are being wasted, in the pine region particularly, by indiscriminate cutting and tapping for resin, and by the burning of the forest cover for shifting cultivation and grazing on steep slopes. The Government is endeavoring to work out a new national forest policy, and an expert (C.E. Simmons, U.K.) has been sent to make an initial survey of the problem and help prepare recommendations.
Mexico. The forest policies of Mexico are among the most progressive in Latin America. In connection with the program to conserve forest resources and utilize them economically and rationally, the Government has asked FAO for advisory assistance Under the leadership of D.T. Griffiths (U.K.) the following five experts have been sent to Mexico: L. Huguet, (France); G. H. Bernier, (Canada); P. Allouard (France); a sawmill expert, P. E. Poyry, (Finland), and an entomologist, J. Miller, (U.S.A.). Their assignments are to organize forest investigations which will include reforestation of tropical species and conifers problems connected with the lumber industry in the coniferous woods of the northern region; measures for the protect on of forests against insect and fungus diseases; the making of forest inventories; and laboratory investigations of forest products. A further specialist on afforestation of arid zones is being recruited.
Paraguay. Following a visit by the FAO regional representative in Rio de Janeiro, an agreement has been made with the Government of Paraguay, under which FAO is supplying two forestry experts. One will make a survey of the forestry situation of the country in order to make recommendations for long-term forest policy, forest legislation, forest protection and reforestation in certain zones; the other will survey the possibilities of using forest products and the development of forest industries.
Uruguay. In the latter part of 1950 the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and FAO sent a mission to Uruguay which included nine specialists in agriculture, economies, marketing and forestry, to survey the country's agricultural problems and requirements. The forestry member was H. G. Winkelmann (Switzerland
EUROPE
Austria. To advise on various aspects of the forest development and investment program in Austria, FAO is providing the services of two forestry experts for brief periods and those of a sawmill technician (A. A. Simonsson, Sweden), who will be on a year's assignment.
This work is an outcome of the 1950 Forestry Mission to Austria (see Unasylva Vol. IV, No. 3). Austria has made remarkable progress in the first year of operation of the program recommended. An Austrian Forestry Commission has been established over 90 percent of the capital sums proposed for investment in 1951 have been made available or earmarked and a substantial portion has been used; the forest economy is rapidly being expanded and modernized, and exports of forest products are reaching record figures.
Some World-wide Projects
Besides technical assistance to individual countries and regional projects and programs, FAO has a number of services and activities that are essentially world-wide in scope. For example, a major project this year has been a Forest Fire Control Tour in the United States, with three agencies of the U. S. Government co-operating - the U.S. Forest Service, the Economic Co-operation Administration, and the Office of Foreign Agricultural Relations. The work included study courses and demonstrations, starting early in September and continuing for six weeks. The participants visited forest areas in many parts of the country. Twenty-three countries sent senior technicians including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada Chile, France, Germany, (Fed. Rep), Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras India, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan Philippine Republic, Thailand, U. K., Venezuela and Viet-Nam.
NUMBER OF FORESTRY EXPERTS
|
COUNTRY |
Assignment completed |
In the field |
Recruited but not in the field |
To be recruited |
Total |
|
Austria |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Brazil |
- |
2 |
- |
1 |
3 |
|
Burma |
1 |
1 |
- |
1 |
3 |
|
Ceylon |
- |
1 |
- |
1 |
2 |
|
Chile |
- |
5 |
- |
- |
5 |
|
Colombia |
- |
1 |
- |
2 |
3 |
|
Ethiopia |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Guatemala |
1 |
2 |
- |
- |
3 |
|
Haiti |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Honduras |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
|
India |
- |
2 |
- |
2 |
4 |
|
Indonesia |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Iran |
- |
2 |
1 |
- |
3 |
|
Libya |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Mexico |
- |
6 |
- |
1 |
7 |
|
Nepal |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
2 |
|
Pakistan |
2 |
1 |
1 |
- |
4 |
|
Paraguay |
- |
1 |
- |
1 |
2 |
|
Surinam |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
|
Syria |
- |
- |
- |
3 |
3 |
|
Thailand |
- |
4 |
- |
- |
4 |
|
Yugoslavia. |
- |
- |
- |
9 |
9 |
|
TOTAL |
4 |
34 |
2 |
24 |
64 |
The second FAO Conference on Mechanical Wood Technology by general consent, one of the most successful meetings of its kind. Held at Igls, Tyrol, Austria, 13-16 August 1951, on the invitation of the Federal Government of Austria, the Conference discussed various problems of importance to the technical development of timber resources.
A large number of agreements and recommendations were unanimously adopted relating to technical evaluation of the properties of fiberboards of veneer, plywood, and other glued veneer constructions, and of timber. The development of uniform principles of stress-grading of structural timber was taken a stage further, while the need for scouring improvement in sawing and machining practices, and in the fire resistance of such materials as fiberboards was recognized by the establishment of new study groups to carry on investigations in these fields.
The Conference was preceded, 6-12 August 1951, by meetings of the study groups set up by the first Conference on Mechanical Wood Technology Geneva, 1949. The consensus of opinion reached at these meetings under the chairmanship of J. Campredon (France), Chairman of FAO's Technical Committee on Mechanical Wood Technology, enabled the Conference later to dispose of its business with admirable speed. In recognition of the substantial way in which their services contributed to the agreement reached, the Conference expressed its gratitude to the members of the study groups for the time and efforts put into the difficult tasks with which they had been entrusted.
At the conclusion of its plenary sessions at Igls, the Conference adjourned to Zurich, Switzerland, where tours and discussion meetings arranged by Swiss authorities were held from 17-18 August. Visits were made to the Swiss Federal Laboratory for testing materials, the Amsler factory for testing machines at Schaffhouse, and the experimental forest of the Federal School of Technology.
The Conference was attended by 30 delegates from the following countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, Ecuador Finland, France, W. Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States. The International Union of Forest Research Organizations was represented.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONFERENCE
At the opening session held in the Stiftssäle in Innsbruck, the Governor of the Tyrol was elected Honorary Chairman of the Conference while L.J. Markwardt (U.S.A.) was unanimously chosen Executive-Chairman, and M. Schlager (Austria) and R.S.T. Kingston (Australia) as Vice-chairman
Delegates were welcomed by representatives of the Federal Government of Austria, the Tyrol the Austrian United Nations Association, the Federal Council for Forestry and Timber, and the Austrian Society of Wood Research. The Lord Mayor of Innsbruck and the President of the Innsbruck Chamber of Commerce also joined in the welcome after which an official reception was offered at the Hofburg by the Land Government of Tyrol and city authorities of Innsbruck.
The proceedings of the Conference opened with an address by M. Leloup, Director of FAO's Forestry Division, representing the Director-General of FAO, who outlined the main tasks that appeared to him to confront the delegates. These were to arrive at agreed standard tossing methods, to bring about wide dissemination and international acceptance of these standards and of other agreements which might be reached, and finally to promote all measures that would lead to forests increasing their contribution to the wellbeing of the people of the world.
The Conference then adopted a working agenda as follows:
1. Testing methods:(a) Timber
(b) Fiberboards
(c) Veneer, plywood, and other glued veneer constructions.2. Stress grading of structural timber
3. Nomenclature of commercial timbers
4. Sawing and machining of wood
The conclusions and recommendations of the Conference with regard to these items are described later.
The Conference heard a report by Prof. G. Giordano, on behalf of the International Poplar Commission with regard to work carried out on the technology of poplar timbers and a resolution was adopted endorsing these activities. A progress report was made by E. Moerath Secretary of the Conference on the work of the FAO Secretariat, and the development of FAO's Expanded Technical Assistance Program for underdeveloped countries was discussed. The members of the Conference expressed interest in the progress that had been achieved in the comparatively short time since the program started. Members were prepared to assist the FAO Secretariat in selection of experts for specific missions, and to advise on technical matters insofar as this was practicable.
In its formal resolutions the Conference expressed its appreciation to the Federal Government of Austria and other authorities for the excellent arrangements made for the meeting and also to the authorities in Switzerland for arranging the subsequent study tours. It also invited the Director-General of FAO, in consultation with Member Governments, to arrange in due course, preferably in 1953, for a third international meeting on mechanical wood technology, when the several study groups could report on the assignments delegated to them and further international agreement be sought. The Conference thought it was highly desirable before this meeting to arrange expert discussions by the study groups, particularly the one on stress-grading. It asked the Director-General of FAO to examine ways and means of providing funds to cover the expenses of such meetings.
Before the proceedings came to a close, Mr. Leloup thanked the members of the Conference for their fine spirit of cooperation, and the Conference expressed to its chairman, L J. Markwardt, its warmest appreciation of the way in which he had conducted the proceedings and brought about the concurrence of views for the final report and recommendations.
REPORTS OF STUDY GROUPS
In unanimously adopting the findings of its study groups, the Conference stressed the importance of the conclusions being given practical application. It was agreed that members should take all possible steps to promote within their respective countries the general adoption of such recommendations as were pertinent and should report to the next Conference on the progress achieved. The Conference also requested the Director-General of FAO to distribute its report to all the Member Governments of the Organization so that countries not represented at Igls might also take such action as' seemed appropriate.
Fiberboards
The study group reviewed in detail a draft of proposed Methods of Test for Evaluating Properties of Fiberboards, prepared by its Chairman (L.J. Markwardt) on behalf of FAO, together with recommended modifications and changes suggested by members as a result of an interchange of correspondence prior to the meeting. The study group reached agreement regarding the methods under consideration and proposed that the draft as amended be accepted as recommended practice.
Consideration was also given to additional tests and procedures that should be studied and developed, with the thought of further extending the scope and utility of methods of evaluating fiberboards. The additional tests, as established in their relative order of importance, developed by the study group for presentation and consideration at the next conference, and include (1) hardness (2) nailhead pull-through, (3) impact, single and repeated blow, (4) impact indentation, (5) puncture resistance, (6) abrasion, (7) dimensional stability under exposure to water vapor on one side, (8) fire resistance, (9) compression perpendicular to the faces and recovery, (10) acoustical properties, (11) delamination, (12) thermal conductivity, ( 13) resistance to decay.
The proposed testing methods presented for consideration were prepared in response to a resolution adopted at an FAO meeting on mechanical wood technology in Washington, D.C., in 1947. At that time fiberboards were already in extensive use and were becoming of increasing importance. Some test methods had already been developed in Finland Norway, Sweden, W. Germany, Australia, America and other countries, and the need for developing generally acceptable standard methods of evaluating properties was apparent. Accordingly, an extensive study was made of existing data on testing methods and a number of special studios undertaken in connection with the modification of certain of the tests that had been previously used, to make them more readily adaptable to available laboratory equipment.
As a result of these studies and various suggestions received, tentative methods of test for evaluating the properties of fiberboard were assembled and presented for comment and suggestion to the meeting of the FAO Technical Committee on Mechanical Wood Technology held in Geneva in 1948. Shortly thereafter, the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory began an extensive series of tests on fiberboard using the newly developed methods.
It was recognized that tests on fiberboards may be required for many different purposes, and that tile purpose is the principal factor in determining the number and kind of tests that should be made. In order to make the proposed methods of the broadest possible value, they were prepared on an inclusive rather than an exclusive basis. In other words any test that was considered to be useful to evaluate some property was included with the thought that if it is desired to make a certain kind of test, a recommended procedure is provided. In this way the procedure can be made of the broadest possible value, without the obligation that all tests included must be made at any one time.
Veneer, Plywood, and other Glued Veneer Constructions
The study group on the Mechanical Testing of Plywood and Allied Materials studied the draft specification submitted for consideration by the representative of the United Kingdom (F. H. Armstrong), and reached agreement on its scope and on procedures to be adopted for tests. The study group was unable, however, in the time available to arrive at a completely standard scheme for testing. Procedures for a number of important tests, namely, panel and plate shear, tension shear, panel impact, glue brook shear, and toughness, remained for consideration and in some cases for special study. The study group recommended that the work be continued by correspondence with a view to the preparation of a complete standard scheme for presentation at a future meeting. In the meantime, the study group recommended that:
(a) the specification be confined to an evaluation of the properties of veneer, plywood, and other glued veneer constructions and should not apply to special typos of construction such as those with honey-comb or hollow core(b) in common with the testing of all wood and wood products, the clauses dealing with the conditioning of the material and the control of temperature and moisture during test be uniform;
(c) the compression, static bending, and tension tests be made in accordance with the procedures described in the A.S.T.M. standard D. 805-47, and that alternative types of test, such as those suggested in the draft scheme considered, be included
(d) plywood glue shear tests of the types employed in the A.S.T.M. Monnin, and W. German standards be included.
Timber Tests
The report gave a summary of the recommendations of the first Conference on Mechanical Wood Technology with regard to (a) general conditions of testing wood, (b) compression parallel to grain, (c.) static bending, (d) tension parallel to grain (e) impact bending, and (f) compression perpendicular to grain.
In the case of cleavage and tension perpendicular to grain the Chairman (H. Kühne) reported that only partial work had been possible since 1949 but some progress had been made in the development of a method of testing for tension perpendicular to grain to improve stress distribution. A progress report was given by the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory on tests for shear parallel to grain, impact bending, and tension parallel to gram.
The work of the study group will be continued, following the assignments given at the 1949 Geneva Conference.
Stress Grading of Structural Timber
The study group on stress grading of structural timber held four meetings during the period 7-11 August. At the first meeting, the Chairman (Prof. F.E. Siimes) gave a report on different views of stress grading and on the possibility of co-operation in this field. He presented a summary of different views on specifications for structural grades in different countries, and members reported the developments in stress grading in their respective countries. The desirability of attempting to develop a series of preferred design stresses was agreed on as a means of facilitating the use of wood in the field of engineering materials.
At the second meeting, the natural characteristics of sawn timber (knots cross grain, etc.) that affect the strength and methods of evaluating them were discussed.
At the third and fourth meetings, ways and means of carrying on the study were discussed and the following agreements reached. In order to promote the more efficient utilization of timber for strength purposes, and to facilitate the marketing of timber for such purposes, it was particularly desirable that an internationally acceptable system covering the principles of stress grading and a series of preferred design stresses be developed. The study group believed that the principles of stress grading and the series of preferred stresses should be applicable to all softwood species, and that the stress intervals should be such as to provide economical design, but should not be so small as to be impracticable from the standpoint of manufacturing grading, storage and other requirements. The study group further recommended that consideration and study be made of the possibility of employing a series of stress grades applicable to bending, as follows:
|
kg/cm² |
kg/cm² |
|
55 |
115 |
|
70 |
130 |
|
85 |
145 |
|
100 |
130 |
The study group agreed that work should be actively continued in order to permit the next meeting of the Conference on Mechanical Wood Technology to consider final recommendations regarding: (1) stress intervals (2) the enumeration and evaluation of the wood characteristics on which structural grades are based (such as knots, shakes, slope of grain, specific gravity, etc.), and (3) if necessary, the testing and inspection methods to be used.
The group recommended that when such a system of structural grading and preferred stresses was developed and agreed on, that steps should be taken as far as possible in the various countries to co-ordinate the existing practices with the new proposals.
Sawing and Machining
An ad hoc committee of the Conference was set up to discuss manufacturing methods. In view of already significant advances that have been made in saws and other wood-working equipment, the possibility of further developments through the availability of improved metals and improved grinding and sharpening equipment, and particularly because of the increasing need to reduce waste and improve efficiency in sawing and machining, especially of hardwoods, this Committee recommended that a new study group be appointed to investigate, through correspondence, advances and developments being made in the techniques of sawing and machining. A report with supporting data and illustrations should be prepared for the next meeting of the Conference.
The Conference endorsed this recommendation and adopted a formal resolution to that effect. It recommended further that the widest; possible distribution should be given to information on improved sawing and machining methods by the members in their respective countries, because of the great importance of such developments to the improvement of the quality of sawn timber, to efficiency in cutting and machining operations, and to tile reduction of waste.
The study group is to be composed as follows, the Chairman being empowered to co-opt other members as necessary: B. Thunell, Chairman (Sweden), Prof. F. E. Siimes (Finland), P. Salenave (France), R.F. Turnbull (Australia), L. J. Markwardt (U.S.A.), L. Vorreiter (Austria), B. Bell (Canada).
Nomenclature
The Chairman (J. Collardet) of the study group on nomenclature reported that there was still a considerable amount of confusion with regard to the nomenclature of commercial timbers, especially in the case of timbers from tropical regions or "new" countries, even though efforts were continually being made by various organizations to clarify or standardize commercial names on the national scale.
However desirable it was to have international uniformity in nomenclature, at least for timbers commonly traded between countries, it was often difficult, if not impossible, to change names established by custom or officially recognized by various countries. Standardization was possible for "new" species coming on the market or exported in restricted quantities, so long as varying commercial names had not already been officially adopted in exporting and importing countries.
A certain amount of work on standardization had already been started by FAO's regional forestry commissions and by organizations such as OEEC. The study group recommended that the Forestry Division again ask FAO member countries to submit lists of names of commercial timbers they would like generally adopted in international usage. With the help of the documentation so assembled, the study group would draw up a recommended list of names, with the corresponding variations used in different countries, for consideration at the next conference.
Editor's note: The final report is being printed and will be generally distributed in due course).
The International Poplar Commission, now in existence for five years, came into being as a result of postwar economic needs when due to the considerable demand for timber great reliance was placed on fast growing species. In addition, the considerable areas of the northern hemisphere, already under poplar cultivation, justified the creation of such a commission. World production of poplar (excluding the U.S.S.R.) amounts to more than 10 million cubic meters annually, and its easy propagation by cuttings makes it the most suitable tree to be intercropped in small agricultural holdings; it is also used on a large scale along roads and waterways for wind breaks, shelter belts, and other related uses.
Formation of the Commission
As a result of the work carried out in France by MM. Ph. Guinier, R. Regnier and G. Meunier, a French National Poplar Commission was created in 1946 as part of the "Conseil supérieur de la propriété forestière non soumise au régime forestiers." Early contacts of this Commission with Belgian and Dutch experts confirmed the need to organize study of the problems related to poplar cultivation on an international scale. FAO, which was approached at this time, agreed to sponsor the formation of an International Commission also the conference to precede it. Invitations to this conference, which met in Paris 23-26 April 1947, were restricted to countries which had shown particular interest in the cultivation of poplar. Countries represented at the session were: Belgium Czechoslovakia, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Switzerland. The Secretariat of the International Commission was first established under the auspices of the "Direction générale des eaux et forêts," but was later transferred to FAO, by agreement between the Director-General and the chairman of the Commission since the latter could in some respects be considered a technical committee of FAO. The rules and statutes of the Commission were approved at the second session held in Venice in 1948. The statutes state that the International Poplar Commission is an agency working under the aegis of FAO but enjoying a certain autonomy, and that it is composed of representatives of national commissions of member countries. It is emphasized that the Commission is one of experts, each speaking on behalf of his own national commission. Technical and administrative matters are submitted to a permanent executive committee, composed of the chairman, vice-chairman and six experts.
National commissions have been established in Austria, Belgium France, W. Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey. In Sweden the functions of the National Commission are carried out by the "Forest Tree Breeding Institute," and in the United Kingdom by the "Forestry Commission." Through the help of its Secretariat and of participants in the congresses and sessions of the Commissions, the International Poplar Commission has established contacts with experts in Argentina, Canada Denmark, Lebanon, Syria, the United States and Uruguay.
Since its creation in France in 1947, the Commission has held sessions in Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, which were each attended by an average of 50 delegates representing from 10 to 15 countries. During the sessions study trips were organized in all the countries with the exception of Switzerland. The last Congress, held in England, May 1951, was attended by approximately 70 representatives from 14 countries.
Present Activities
The International Congresses have been exceedingly successful; they have resulted in profitable on-the-spot discussions and the publication of technical reports in the forestry press. Moreover, the Commission's work has been the starting point for other activities in the countries themselves, especially in France where three regional congresses have taken place, in Italy where there has been one, as well as in Belgium, W. Germany and the Netherlands.
Mission to the United States. Following discussions by the Commission's Secretary with ECA and OEEC in Paris, the OEEC Council recommended, on a motion of the Timber Committee, that a mission be sent to the United States to study various problems relating to the culture and utilization of poplar. The objectives of this mission, which took place from 4 May to 9 June 1950, were determined by the Secretariat after consultation with an expert, J. Pourtet. Its final report has just been published and deals with the following subjects: (a) indigenous types of Populous deltoides Marsh; (b) natural stands of aspens and balsam poplars; (c) rapid growth hybrids developed by paper manufacturers; (d) possibility of selecting the hybrids best adapted to European conditions; (e) conditions of production and use of poplars in the United States. This report is at present restricted, but the Secretary of the Commission hopes to get permission from OEEC to have it distributed to Commission members.
Results Achieved
As a result of recommendations made during the Commission's sessions, a number of studies and other activities have been initiated. Since its creation member countries have reported on their production, giving information on the different categories of products obtained. Among the specific results achieved are the following:
Identification Form. This form was drafted and distributed to the National Commissions in order to standardize descriptions of existing poplars and the technical terms currently employed.
Nomenclature. A new nomenclature for poplars of the Aigeiros group was drawn up by the Commission and submitted to the International Botanical Congress in Stockholm. The nomenclature, which has already been accepted by the Commission, is now being used by almost all the member countries.
Testing Form. A testing form for poplar timber was instituted in collaboration with the Chairman of the FAO Committee on Mechanical Wood Technology, and has recently been revised. It will facilitate comparison between industrial and laboratory tests and enable laboratory research to find application in actual production. It is thus hoped in the future to establish the mechanical properties of poplar woods according to their proposed use, and hence for poplar growers to be able to supply timber possessing the required properties. A permanent working group has been set up to deal with this subject.
Lists of Poplars grown in various Countries and their Exchange through National Commissions. Arrangements have been made for experts in different countries to exchange poplar cuttings and thus carry out experiments under varying conditions.
Poplar Diseases and Pests. Recommendations were made for studies to be carried out on certain diseases and pests, particularly on bacterial canker.
Culture Techniques. In the course of field trips, information was collected on the spacing to be used in poplar plantations, on the best fertilizers, on appropriate crops to be intermingled, on methods of propagation by cuttings, on pruning tools, etc. One of the main results of this exchange of ideas was that it was established that the optimum spacing for poplar plantations in Western Europe was to be 7 m. by 7 m.
Further studies are under way on variety control and cultivation methods. The results will be produced at the 1952 Commission meeting.
Future Activities
The International Poplar Commission plans in the future to devote more time to the subject of poplar utilization, and to this end has already suggested that delegations should include representatives of the woodworking industries. A permanent working group for the utilization of poplar wood is already functioning, and it is proposed to extend this activity by the creation of similar working parties within national commissions. The main objective is to put poplar growers in a position to supply poplar consuming industries manufacturing such products as plywood, veneers, matches, wood pulp, fiberboards, sawn wood and boxboards, with the necessary grades and quality of wood.
Up to the present the Commission has worked principally on poplars of the Aigeiros group, but in the future it would be extended to cover the Leuce group, which includes aspen and white poplars, the Tacamahaca group, including balsam poplars, and eventually the Turanga group, including certain Asian and North African poplars. These studies would be carried out on the basis of identification and cultivation, diseases and pests, and wood utilization. Their objective would be to identify types of Populus nigra and Populus alba which might be cultivated in relatively dry soils having an average or lower fertility, and to study poplars of the Leuce group which are capable of growing in closer stands than black poplars.
A Near East regional meeting on Food and Agricultural Progress and Outlook was held at Bloudane, Syria from 28 August to 6 September 1951.
The purpose of the meeting was to focus discussion on the broad aspects of the development of agricultural, forest, and fisheries resources in the Near East and their use to improve nutrition and living standards. This involves consideration particularly of policy objectives and programs. The importance of establishing sound forest policies and introducing effective legislation was stressed. The demarcation of forests and the compilation of inventories must be accompanied by steps to strengthen the administration. The meeting, the first regional gathering of foresters, suggested more intensive study of shifting cultivation and of measures to reduce the depredations of domestic animals and of charcoal burners.
Today, the tropics are beginning to get the attention they deserve from the standpoint of improving production. Many of the under-developed countries are located in, or adjacent to, this belt, including some which have recently been going through profound social and economic changes. Many of the problems these countries face are necessarily dealt with in FAO's technical assistance project. Their people are eager to take advantage of the tide of modern scientific progress, and their governments need assistance in solving difficult new problems.
The 1949 session of the FAO Conference recommended a special meeting be convened to consider the question of land utilization in all tropical areas. When a conference with this geographical scope proved to be impracticable, it was arranged to hold a meeting on the narrower range of tropical land utilization problems in Asia and the Far East. This meeting was held in Nuwara Eliya 17-29 September, with the Government of Ceylon generously acting as host. The following countries were represented by experts familiar with tropical land use practices and problems: Australia, Belgium, Burma, Cambodia, Ceylon, France, India, Indonesia Netherlands, Pakistan, Portugal, U.K. U.S.A., Viet-Nam; ECAFE and the Holy See also sent observers.
Among the questions considered were the problems of shifting cultivation; watersheds and irrigation, including the role of forests and methods of developing and conserving water resources, land classification systems adaptable to tropical areas; and the human aspects of land use, including land tenure.
