The identification of wood species with the aid of the Hollerith system

The International Association of Wood Anatomists in the early years of its existence has undertaken to standardize the nomenclature used in describing woods. Later the classes of dimensions have been added thereinto. In the same way it should be possible now to standardize one or two identification methods. Universal schemes in the first place will fit for this purpose. In the introduction it is explained which requirements should be fulfilled in such schemes. The advantages and drawbacks of an English and a Dutch identification method are compared mutually. It is suggested, that a procedure according to the Hollerith system will allow of a synthesis of both methods mentioned, thus combining advantages and eliminating their drawbacks. The restriction in the applicability of the Hollerith scheme is determined by the fact, that complicated devices are necessary the costs of which can only be justified, if they are constantly employed at full capacity. Thus the method can only be used in a central office. It will especially yield good results if a close international collaboration is established. A standardized codification and centralized multiplication and distribution of cards are indispensable requirements for realising this purpose. A short general survey is given of the Universal Decimal Classification and it is explained according to which principles wood species have been included in this scheme. The decimal codes of the U.D.C. can be used for indicating botanical and geographical data in the Hollerith identification. In this way, the great advantage is achieved, that a literature card index on wood species can be compiled with the same figure combinations. In doing so these figures get a wider field of application than when independant classifications are made for identification and documentation purposes.