USE OF A MODIFIED ABDERHALDEN APPARATUS TO DETERMINE MOISTURE AND OILCONTENT OF EASTERN REDCEDAR

The design of an Abderhalden drying apparatus, modified for use in con trolled-temperature and controlled-atmosphere drying of eastern redced ar wood samples, is presented. This apparatus also facilitates collect ion of the volatilized components in an ether trap chilled with ice wa ter. The trapped oil was analyzed, qualitatively and quantitatively, b y gas chromatography, and the moisture content of wood samples was cal culated. These data provide conclusive evidence that substantial quant ities of essential oil are lost during the drying of Juniperus virgini ana L, wood and preliminary correction factors for this oil loss are g iven. Representative oil content of Oklahoma redcedar was established by testing a selected population.