Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-08-04
VOL XVIII, NO. a6......wHoLE NO. 24e4.

fermentation, the durability viii be
greatly increased. Among various
methods of efiecting this, one is to
immerse the wood in the proper
chemical solution. This is slow
aud uncertain. Another is to en-
close the wood in a strong iroE ves-
sci, then exhaust the solution. This
is more rapid and effectual, but ex-
pensve. The most practical meth
cd is to make use Of the vital action
OF the tree to impregnate the trunk.
An experiment was tried with a
poplar, in the first instance, sixteen
inches through and seventy feet
high. 1t was separated from the
stump and supported in an upright
position, and the lower end was
immersed eight inches in the solu-
ton, which was pyrolignite of iron,
the substance now most used.
In six days it was entirely inn
pregnated even to the leaves. The
tree may be horizontal and the So
luton applied TO the lower end in
water proof bay. 1t should be done
soon after the telling of the tree,
and the branches and leaves left on.
Ii neglected for several days, the
vital action is greatly diminished,
and after about ten days, in many
trees, entirely ceases. Some kinds
of wood are much more easily and
perfectly preserved i'll this way than
others. Wood can be colored in
this way, or rendered more elastic,
or rendered odorous and fragrant,
and incombustible, by using the
proper solution. 1t is but lately
that these processes have been
brought to notice. They are extern
sively employed in France, and will
soon be used with advantage in 9TH
er countries.
There are some curious facts in
relation to the working of wood
This material being chiefly bun
die of longitudinal flores, readily
absorbs water, and if boiled For
steamed, is very much softened and
more easily wrought. 1t is some-
times a wonder how the miniature
trucks, carts, and wheelbarrows of
the toy shop can be made for The
price asked. The wood is boiled
aud then worked with long cut
ting knife fastened at one end upon
block. With this, broad even
plates are taken off with great rap
'dIty, and any cutting or shaping
done almost as easy as upon thr-
nip or potatoe. A machine for max
ing casks has been constructed up
on this principle. The planks of
oak are prepared the right size aud
thoroughly steamed A large wheel
Of fourteen feet diameter, set on the
face with two knives like plate
irons, cuts off the slaves, one half
or five Fights of an inch thick and
thirty inches by five or less, at the
rate Of two hundred per minute, and
much more smoothly and economi-
cally than it could be done with a
saw. II any wood is driven down
with a blunt instrument and COM
pressed so as not to break the grain,
when immersed in water il will rise
to its former level. The frames of
looking glasses aud other things are
ornamented with raised
figures produced in this way. The
wood is prepared and the figures
drawn upon it and then sunk with
smooth blunt dies as much below
the surface as the figure is intended
to be above it when finished. The
wood is then planned down or rasp-
ed down to the bottom of the in
1entstions, and put into water hot
Or cold, and the figures rise above
and form a low relief.-Douer Ga
? cite.