Bioresource Engineering Department Records, 1924-1983

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Oregon State University. Dept. of Bioresource Engineering.
Title
Bioresource Engineering Department Records
Dates
1924-1983 (inclusive)
Quantity
12 cubic ft.
6 microfilm reels
Collection Number
RG 001
Summary
The Bioeresource Engineering Department Records document the research and extension activities of the department; the design, development, and use of agricultural equipment; and the architectural design of structures primarily for agricultural use. The Records also include extensive materials pertaining to the flax industry in Oregon from 1938 to 1954.
Repository
Oregon State University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives Research Center
Special Collections and Archives Research Center
121 The Valley Library
Oregon State University
Corvallis OR
97331-4501
Telephone: 5417372075
Fax: 5417378674
scarc@oregonstate.edu
Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

The Department of Agricultural Engineering was created in 1916 when the Department of Agronomy was subdivided, and was placed within the School of Agriculture. It was originally housed in the Farm Mechanics Building (now Gilmore Hall). The first department chair was William James Gilmore. In 1947 the department became jointly administered by the Schools of Agriculture and Engineering. The department's name was changed to Bioresource Engineering in 1991.

Fiber flax processing investigations were conducted at Oregon State College from from the late 1930s through mid 1950s through a joint USDA/Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station project. Engineering research led to the development and introduction of improved equipment for pulling, deseeding, scutching, and cleaning flax. Also, improved designs for flax mills were developed and recommendations made for prevention and control of flax mill fires. Researchers involved in this project included W. M. Hurst, L. M. Klein, J. E. Harmond, and M. C. Widger.

Fiber flax had been grown in the Willamette Valley since 1915, but prior to World War II the acreage was small and production and processing methods were based largely on European practices. When European flax supplies were cut off by World War II the acreage of flax and number of mills increased significantly and research results were available so that improved equipment could be installed in all the flax mills.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Series 4 documents the research activities of the department. Series 7 consists primarily of correspondence of faculty member John Wolfe, much of it concerning irrigation. Series 8 consists of reports and short features broadcast over radio station KOAC in the 1930s and 1940s. Series 9, annual reports of research, spans the years 1970 to 1983.

Series 10 consists of materials pertaining to the flax industry in Oregon from 1938 to 1954: references, reports, design specifications, and building and equipment plans and drawings. These materials resulted from state and federal fiber flax processing investigations between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Agricultural Engineering Department of the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station.

Series 11 consists of plans and drawings for homes; farm structures and equipment; selected campus buildings and structures including buildings at some Branch Experiment Stations; and plans for non-OSU buildings and/or sites designed by Agricultural Engineering Department faculty, primarily H. R. Sinnard. Most of the farm structures and equipment plans and drawings were published and distributed by the Extension Service.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Bioresource Engineering Department Records (RG 1), Oregon State University Archives, Corvallis, Oregon.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Organized into 11 series: I. Monthly Reports; II. Staff Meeting Minutes; III. Correspondence, Robert M. Alexander; IV. Projects and Reports; V. Patents; VI. Agricultural Engineering Personnel; VII. Correspondence; VIII. Radio Talks and Reports; IX. Annual Reports; X. Flax Industry Materials; and XI. Plans and Drawings.

Related Materials

Materials related to the Bioresource Engineering Department can be found in the College of Agricultural Sciences, Dean's Office Records (RG 158); Agricultural Experiment Station Records (RG 25); Extension Service Records (RG 111); Bioresource Engineering Department Photograph Collection (P106); and publications in PUB 10-11a.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  Monthly Reports, 1959-1960Return to Top

Container(s): Reel 1

Series II:  Staff Meeting Minutes, 1959-1960Return to Top

Container(s): Reel 1

Series III:  Correspondence, Robert M. AlexanderReturn to Top

Container(s): Reel 4

Series IV:  Projects & Reports, 1924-1957Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Reel Folder
2 1
Projects
See also inventory of paper records, Series VII - Correspondence.
1924-1925
2 2
Experiment Station Projects
2 3
The Dalles Co-operative Growers
2 4
Prune Projects
2 5
Strawberry Projects
2 6
Eugene Fruit Growers - Plums
2 7
Apple Growers Association
2 8
U.S. Frozen Pack Lab Reports
1936-1937
2 9
Hoerner - Hop Project
2 10
Corn Products Reports
1936-1938
2 11
Agricultural Research Foundation - Contracts for New Projects
2 12
Biennial Reports for the Experiment Station
2 13
Bear Creek Orchard Reports
1939
2 14
Progress Report - Dextrose Investigation
2 15
Fish Projects
2 16
Progress Report of Fish and Vegetable Preservation Studies
1940-1941
2 17
Strawberries
1941
2 18
Blackberries
2 19
Raspberries
2 20
Cherry and Tomato Investigations for Starr Fruit Products Company
1941
3 21
Air Pollution - Technical Information Survey
3 22
Apple Washing - Acid Heating
3 23
Arnold Dryer Company
3 24
Summary of Drying Tests on Arnold Dryer
3 25
Bulb Testing
3 26
" Cattle Squeeze"
3 27
Soil and Water Conservation
3 28
Boiler Feedwater and Boiler Water Conditions of Dairy Coop. Association
3 29
Drying - General
3 30
Artificial Drying of Corn
3 31
Walnut Drying
3 32
Egg Room Humidifier
3 33
Insulate Egg Room
3 34
Rural Electrification - Electric Fence Project
3 35
Official Tests of Electric Fence Units
3 36
Electric Sterilizer Project
3 37
Soil Erosion
3 38
Rural Electrification - Farm Freezer Units
3 39
Farm Machinery, Secretary of Agriculture, Engineering Research Branch, Annual Report
1953-1954
3 40
USDA Agriculture Research Service, Agriculture Engineering Research, Farm Machinery, Annual Report
1954-1955
3 41
Fiber Flax - Annual Reports
1950-1951
3 42
Feed Grinding Study Project
3 43
Brownell Floor Heating Experiment
3 44
Poultry Floor Heating - OSC Experiment Station
3 45
Harvesting and Farm Seed Cleaning and Handling - Annual Report
1956
3 46
Harvesting Forage Crops in Western Oregon and Progress Report, on 4-6 Combins
1957
3 47
Irrigation
3 48
Irrigation Research on Willamette Valley Soils
3 49
Sprinkler Irrigation - General
3 50
Kitchen Hooks
3 51
Milkrooms - Construction of Milkhouses
3 52
Poultry Housing and Ventilation
3 53
Third National Potato Conference
3 54
Purnell Reports and Miscellaneous Project Reports
3 55
Refrigeration
3 56
Reports - Relation of Electricity to Agriculture
3 57
Biennial and Progress Reports
3 58
Reports and Lectures - Miscellaneous
3 59
Research Projects - Filbert Harvester
3 60
Research Projects - Filbert Drying
3 61
Research Projects - Farm Building Projects
3 62
Research Projects - Symphalid Control
3 63
Research Projects - Pea Weevil - Aphis Program
3 64
Research Projects - Hop Drying
3 65
Rural Electrification
3 66
Seed Cleaning
3 67
" Service to Electrical Equipment"
3 68
Semi-Scalder Turkeys
3 69
Electric Soil Sterilizer
3 70
Soil Sterilization
3 71
Squaw Butte Experiment Station
3 72
Water Resources
3 73
Water Supply Information
4 74
Small Seed Harvesting and Processing Investigation - Annual Reports
Box
1
Fiber Flax Processing Investigations
1947
1
Irrigation of Vegetable Crops, Multnomah County
1952
Reel Folder
5 1
Balsam Wooly Aphid
5 2
Insect Lab - Rudinsky
5 3
Regional Research
5 4
Seed Lab
5 5
Soils - Youngberg
5 6
Genetics - B.L.M.
5 7
Hill Projects
5 8
Forest Research Division - Administration Project 200
5 9
Forest Research Division - Technical Project 342
5 10
USDA Research
5 11
Thesis - Application of Western Hemlock Yield Tables
5 12
B.L.M. - Animals
5 13
Forest Research Division - Technical Project 341
5 14
Genetics Project
5 15
Agricultural Experiment Station

Series V:  PatentsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description
Reel Folder
4 75
Pear Blight Patents
4 76
Patents - Material from Dr. Johnson
4 77
Insecticide Patent Material for B.G. Thompson
4 78
Disinfectant Patent by H.P. Barss
4 79
Pear Blight Patent
4 80
Scale Beam Patent by Dr. Wilster
4 81
Miscellaneous Patents

Series VI:  Agricultural Engineering PersonnelReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Reel Folder
5 1
Agricultural Engineering Staff
5 2
Agricultural Engineering Staff Seminars
1961
5 3
Graduate Students and Graduate School
5 4
Irrigation Research Review Conference
5 5
Staff - Rogers
5 6
Radiation Safety Committee

Series VII:  CorrespondenceReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Reel
5
1958-1965
1925-1970
Box
1
Documents from microfilm reels 5-6
1925-1965
1
Joint administration of department
1929-1947
1
Western Agricultural Engineering Center, Memorandum of Understanding
1970

Series VIII:  Radio Talks & Reports, 1938-1949Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Reel Folder
5 1
" Research in Rural Electrification"
March 18, 1939
5 2
" Power and Agricultural Development of the Northwest"
July 7, 1938
5 3
" Planning a Dairy Barn"
December 11, 1939
5 4
" How Statistics Improves Physical, Chemical, and Engineering Measurements"
December 14, 1949
5 5
" How Electricity is Being Used on Oregon Farms"
March 25, 1940
5 6
" The Pneumatic Tired Tractor"
February 17, 1940
5 7
" The Effect of Tire Wear on Tractor Performance"
January 27, 1940
5 8
" Land Development in the State of Oregon"
January 24, 1940
5 9
" Rubber Tires for Farm Equipment"
April 10, 1940
5 10
" New Developments in Farm Tractors"
October 11, 1939
5 11
" Engineering Evolution and its Relation to Agriculture"
February 14, 1940
5 12
" Explosives - An Instrument of Industrial and Agricultural Progress"
January 10, 1940
5 13
" Studies of Barn Dried Hay"
5 14
" Engineering Aspects of Rodent Control"
5 15
" Aids to Judgement in Irrigation"
5 16
" Planning a Small Farm Walnut or Filbert Drier"
May 20, 1939
5 17
" Labor-Saving Devices Used on Oregon Farms"
October 19, 1942
5 18
" Repairing Farm Machinery Now for Spring and Summer Needs"
February 1, 1943
5 19
" Electrical Hotbeds and Propagating Beds"
January 26, 1942
5 20
" Dairy Barns"
January 10, 1947
5 21
" Adequate Wiring"
February 14
5 22
" Farm Safety"
5 23
" Farm Building Insulation"
November 22, 1946
5 24
" Pumping Molasses When Adding it to Grass Silage"
October 25, 1946
5 25
" Servicing the Cooling System for Anti-Freeze"
November 8, 1946
5 26
" Who Ever Heard of a Half Horse?"
June 13, 1947
5 27
" The Second Home on the Farm"
May 16, 1947
5 28
" Farm Fire Protection"
5 29
" Hydraulic Power Controls for Farm Machines"
April 4, 1947
5 30
" Roof Coverings on Farm Buildings"
April 18, 1947
5 31
" Hay Driers for Western Oregon"
May 2, 1947
5 32
" Electric Hotbeds"
5 33
" Mechanical Means of Weed Control"
February 24, 1940
5 34
" Low Pressure Sprinkler Irrigation"
January 13, 1940
5 35
" A Comparison of Two Types of Cylinders"
January 20, 1940
5 36
" Wood Hoop Granaries"
February 10, 1940
5 37
" Mechanization of Sugar Beet Production"
March 2, 1940
5 38
" The Policies of Creditors in Relation to Soil Conservation"
February 3, 1940
5 39
" Electricity on the Farm"
February 28, 1940
5 40
" One Story Dairy Barn"
March 9, 1940
5 41
" The Power Companies Activities in Rural Electrification as Viewed from the Standpoint of the Public"
March 1, 1940
6
This reel consists of materials also available on reel 5 or in paper form. A detailed (item-level) inventory is available in the Archives central file.

Series IX:  Annual Reports of Research, 1970-1983Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1
1970/71 to 1974/75
1
1980/81 to 1982/83

Series X:  Flax Industry Materials, 1938-1954Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1
Baling
1942-1945
1
Costs and Yields
1938-1941
Patents
Box
1
General Flax Processing Equipment
6 folders
1
Pullers
4 folders
1
Miscellaneous
2 folders
Plans and Drawings
Box
2
A-C Combine Puller Deseeder
1943
Binders
Box
2
Straw Divider and Double Needle Binder (installation at Mt. Angel)
1946-1953
Breakers
Box
2
Ideas-LMK
1942
2
Shaker Breaker Shaker
1951
Box
2
Bundle Conveyer
2
Butter Destroyed by Fire at Silverton
1941-1942
Deseeders
Box
2
A&B (MCW, LMK)
1939
2
Cornelius and Mt. Angel
1941-1948
2
Crank Arm Drive
1940
2
Molalla
1941-1943
2
Santiam
1951
Box
2
Dryer Building
1952
2
Feeders
2
Field Binders
1947-1953
2
Field Binder Loader
1953
2
Granger Farm Storage Sheds
1941
2
Handi Hoist
1948
2
Looms
2
Oil Burner Specifications
1952
2
Phormium Stripper Base and Drive Plan
2
Plants - Field Notes and Measurements
1941-1942
Pullers
Box
2
Self-Propelled Puller
2
Vessot Puller
Box
2
Retting Tanks - Top Lift/Hoist Mechanism
1945-1951
Santiam Flax Growers
Box
2
Heating Coil Installation - Tow Dryer
2
Scutching and Tow Building Layout
1943-1946
Scutchers
Box
2
Breaker-Scutcher #1 (burned at Harrisburg)
2
Demonstration Unit
1949
2
Experimental Scutcher Installation - Santiam
1945
2
Feeder Design
1950-1951
2
Gripping Chain and Breaker-Experimental Scutcher
1944-1949
2
New Scutcher Springs
1947-1949
2
Scutcher #4
2
Scutcher Feed Table (Butting)
1945-1948
2
Scutching Breaker #1 - MCW
2
Scutching Machine - LMK
1940
2
Tow Scutching and Tow Cleaners
1942-1944
2
V.H. and V.S. Combination Scutcher Plan for Mt. Angel
Box
3
Special Patent Drawings
1953
3
String Cutter
1947-1952
3
Temperature and Humidity Controlled Room
1941
3
Tow Separator Box
1946-1950
Tow Shakers
1940
Box
3
Tow Shaker Dryer - Benton
1942-1946
Plans and Drawings of Equipment and Buildings - Oversize
Box
7
List of Drawings for Flax Processing Plants
apx 20x24 in.
1942
7
Preliminary Sketches
apx 20x24 in.
Map Case
*
Sketches and Preliminary Drawings
*
Plot Plans and Plant Layouts
*
Existing Structures Tracings
*
Belgian Retting Tanks Tracings
*
Miscellaneous Prints
*
Proposed Structures Tracings
*
Sketches and Preliminary Drawings
*
Equipment Plans
Primarily original ink drawings
Box
3
Publications
1942-1945
Reports
Box
3
Accomplishments of the Fiber Flax Processing Investigations
1946-1954
3
Deseeding Circular
3
Experimental Self-Propelled Flax Puller Progress Report
1951-1952
3
Flax Puller Circular
3
Machine Construction Monthly Reports
1941-1943
3
Performance of the Experimental Bundle Spreading Device
1946
3
Processing Fiber Flax in Oregon (write-up for Bulletin)
3
Rotary Comb Deseeder Bulletin
3
Scutching Machine for Fiber Flax (Circular)
3
Test Reports
1948-1952
Tests
Box
3
Butting Tests
1946
3
Butting Test - Washington County
1948
3
Commercial Flax Variety Tests (Chapin Plots)
1951
3
Data
1942-1946
3
Deseeder - Mt. Angel
1948-1952
3
Field Binder Loader
1950
3
Hand and Machine Hackling Test
1951
3
Pulling Test
1946
3
Scutcher
Box
3
Experimental vs. Van Hauwaert
1946-1947
3
Experimental vs. Vansteenkiste
1950
3
Scutcher Tests - Mt. Angel
1948-1949
3
Scutcher Beater Speed Test
1951-1952
3
Scutcher Blade Modification Test
1952
3
Scutcher Feeder Tests - No. 1 and 2 - Santiam
3
Scutcher Performance Comparison Tests
1947
7
Scutching Tests
apx 20x24 in.
1945
Box
3
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1940-1944
3
Want Lists
1939-1958

Series XI:  Plans and Drawings, 1930-1970Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
3
Plans and Specifications
1942-1945
3
Plans - Modular House
3
Plans - Potato Washers
Homes
Box
5
Expansible Retirement House - " Casa del Manana"
apx 20x24 in.
5
Farm Houses
apx 20x24 in.
5 folders
1940-1942
5
Freedom House
apx 20x24 in.
5
House Planning and Architectural Drawing Class Projects
apx 20x24 in.
5
Housing for the Elderly
apx 20x24 in.
5
Modular House
apx 20x24 in.
5
Rosenstiel Residence
apx 20x24 in.
5
Schoenfeld Residence (Edgewood Drive)
apx 20x24 in.
Farm Structures and Equipment
Box
6
Air Meter
apx 20x24 in.
6
Bail Tie Straightener
apx 20x24 in.
6
Barns, General Purpose
apx 20x24 in.
6
Beef Equipment
apx 20x24 in.
6
Beef Barns
apx 20x24 in.
6
Breeding Crates and Chutes
apx 20x24 in.
6
Camp Cabins
apx 20x24 in.
6
Cattle Feeders
apx 20x24 in.
6
Cattle Guards
apx 20x24 in.
6
Children's Playground Merry-go-round
apx 20x24 in.
6
Chutes
apx 20x24 in.
6
Cone Feed Mixer
apx 20x24 in.
6
Corn Cribs
apx 20x24 in.
6
Corn Driers
apx 20x24 in.
6
Dairy Barns
apx 20x24 in.
6
Dehydrators
apx 20x24 in.
6
Dipping Vats
apx 20x24 in.
6
Drag Saw
apx 20x24 in.
6
Dusting Equipment and Weed Sprayers
apx 20x24 in.
6
Electric Pig Brooder
apx 20x24 in.
6
Farm Fence
apx 20x24 in.
6
Farm Labor Houses
apx 20x24 in.
6
Fruit and Vegetable Storage
apx 20x24 in.
6
Garages, Two-Car
apx 20x24 in.
6
Garden Pea Sheller
apx 20x24 in.
6
Granaries and Grain Elevators
apx 20x24 in.
6
Grass Seed Thresher
apx 20x24 in.
6
Hay Sheds
apx 20x24 in.
6
Hay Driers
apx 20x24 in.
6
Haying Equipment
apx 20x24 in.
6
Hog Feeders
apx 20x24 in.
6
Hog Houses
apx 20x24 in.
6
Hop Driers
apx 20x24 in.
6
Horse Barns
apx 20x24 in.
6
Horticultural Tent House
apx 20x24 in.
6
Incinerator
apx 20x24 in.
6
Iron Bender Stand
apx 20x24 in.
6
Machinery Sheds
apx 20x24 in.
6
Manure Loader
apx 20x24 in.
6
Manure Tanks and Pits
apx 20x24 in.
6
Milk Houses and Equipment
apx 20x24 in.
6
Nut Driers
apx 20x24 in.
6
Nut Harvesters
apx 20x24 in.
6
Potato Houses
apx 20x24 in.
6
Poultry Houses and Equipment
apx 20x24 in.
7
Refrigeration
apx 20x24 in.
7
Roofs
apx 20x24 in.
7
Rural Community Halls
apx 20x24 in.
7
Scale and Corral Layout
apx 20x24 in.
7
Septic Systems
apx 20x24 in.
7
Sewing Cabinet
apx 20x24 in.
7
Sheep Sheds and Equipment
apx 20x24 in.
7
Silage Conveyor and Feed Bunk
apx 20x24 in.
7
Silos
apx 20x24 in.
7
Smokehouses
apx 20x24 in.
7
Soil Sterilizer
apx 20x24 in.
7
Suction Harvester for Clover Seed
apx 20x24 in.
7
Trailers
apx 20x24 in.
7
Troughs and Feed Bins
apx 20x24 in.
7
Turkey Houses and Equipment
apx 20x24 in.
7
Utility Buildings
apx 20x24 in.
7
Vegetable Greenhouse
apx 20x24 in.
7
Water Supply
apx 20x24 in.
7
Water Wheel
apx 20x24 in.
7
Wood Lift
apx 20x24 in.
Oregon State College Buildings and Structures
Box
7
Agricultural Engineering Building
apx 20x24 in.
7
Beef Barn
apx 20x24 in.
7
Dairy Barn
apx 20x24 in.
7
Experiment Stations
apx 20x24 in.
7
Fish Hatchery
apx 20x24 in.
7
Laboratory/Office Building
apx 20x24 in.
7
Livestock Pavilion
apx 20x24 in.
7
Pasture Lands - Plans for Development
apx 20x24 in.
7
Poultry Structures
apx 20x24 in.
7
Sheep Barn
apx 20x24 in.
Plans for Non-OSC Buildings
Box
7
Albany City Park - Outdoor Kitchen
apx 20x24 in.
7
Curtis Farm - Irrigation Pipe System
apx 20x24 in.
7
Elkins Feedlot
apx 20x24 in.
7
J.L. Cattle Ranch, Prairie City, Oregon - Corral and Chutes
apx 20x24 in.
7
Granger Farmstead
apx 20x24 in.
7
Millhollen Tract
apx 20x24 in.
7
Pacific Supply Cooperative - Farm Storage
apx 20x24 in.
7
State Fair and County Fair Grounds Structures
apx 20x24 in.
7
W.C.T.U. Children's Farm Home - Dairy Building
apx 20x24 in.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Agricultural education--Oregon.
  • Agricultural engineering--Research--Oregon.
  • Agricultural machinery.
  • Agricultural experiment stations--Oregon.
  • Architecture--Oregon--Designs and plans.
  • College buildings--Oregon--Corvallis.
  • Farm buildings--Oregon.
  • Flax industry--Oregon.
  • Flax--Processing--Oregon--Willamette River Valley.
  • Fruit--Research--Oregon.
  • Harvesting machinery--Research--Oregon.
  • Irrigation--Research--Oregon.
  • Radio programs--Oregon.

Corporate Names

  • KOAC (Radio station : Corvallis, Or.)
  • Oregon State College. Agricultural Experiment Station.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Architectural drawings.
  • Patents.
  • Radio scripts.
  • Technical drawings.

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Alexander, Robert M. (creator)
    • Sinnard, H. R. (Herbert Reeves), 1904- (creator)
    • Wolfe, John W. (John William), 1917- (creator)
    Corporate Names
    • Oregon State College. Federal Cooperative Extension Service. (creator)
    • Oregon State University. Agricultural Engineering Dept. (creator)
    • Oregon State College. Dept. of Agricultural Engineering. (creator)