A few years ago the producer and consumer of paints pos sessed comparatively little knowledge of the relative durability of various pigments and oils. There existed in some cases a prejudice for a few standard products, that often held the user in bondage, discouraging investigation and exciting suspicion whenever discoveries were made, that brought forth new ma terials. Such conditions indicated to the more progressive, the need of positive information regarding the value of various painting materials, and the advisability of having the questions at issue determined in a practical manner. The desire that such work should be instituted, resulted in the creation of a Scientific Section, the s00pe of which was to make investigations to determine the relative merits of different types of paint, and to enlighten the industry on various technical problems.' Paint exposure tests of an extensive nature were started in various Sections of the country where climatic condi tions vary. This field work was supplemented in the laboratory by a series of important researches into the properties of pig ments, oils, and other raw products entering into the manufac ture of protective coatings. The results of the work were published in bulletin form and given wide distribution. The demand for these bulletins early exhausted the original impress, and a general summary therefore forms a part of this volume.