Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-09-05

on tho surface of which the desired pattern
has been cut. The only change effected in
the wood Is an Increased soldity and dens-
ity, while, even with manual power, the
delcacy and relief of the sculpture obtain
ed rival the products of the most skilled
carver, excepting as a matter of course,
that underwriting Is not possible The proc
ess is capable of an infinitudc of applica-
tons in the whole range of ornamental
joinery, also to the coverings of books and
albums, frames for pictures and photo
graphs, cylindl cal, circular and arched OBJ
jects, relief portraits, vignettes, initiative
wicker work for panels, &c. II Is claimed
that ornamental surfaces may thus be pro-
duced at the rate of ten square feet pc Sec
ond, independent of the elaboration or sim
plicity of the pattern.
The advantage claimed for the preceding
process over the operation of producing
| ornamental wood work by burning, is al
legged to be very great. In the last named,
designs in relief are engraved on the face
of hollow iron cylinders, and these being
heated by agas-pipe within, acted on by
a second pipe conveying atmospheric air,
| are made to transfer these designs TO the
planed board which is passed in be-
tween them as they revove. When the
wood has gone through the charring opera
ton, it has to be scraped down over the sur
face, so as TO bring out the lights and pro-
duce the best effects; and this being ac-
complished, the face is vanished or polish
ed, and the result is an ornamental panel
or moding of considerable beauty and re-
markable permanence. White-woods, as
sycamore or lime, are thus used. 1t is ca
sy, also, by this process, to give to the less
expensive varieties of wood some of the
characteristics of more costly kinds thus,
rosewood and walnut may be very well i'm
ltatod, and upon these any pattern can be
impressed.
In Germany considerable attention has
been given TO the production of carvings
by means of pressure combined with heat
and moisture. BY one method the wood
Is pressed in the line of its fibre in cold or
slightly warmed patterns until the desired
"reief'' is obtained. According to a Sec
ond method, a metal attern is pressed very
powerfully against any surface, the project
ing portions paned or rasped over, and the
previously impressed portions brought up
again by wetting them in water. BY
still another method, thin plates of wood are
steamed or otherwise softened, and pressed
between two corresponding dies. Almost
any form of wood can be prepared in the
manner last named, and the effect is very
superior. The operation is performed with
heated dies, not, however, brought to such
Temperature as to burn the wood; a few
drops of water placed on the die causes a
steam, which greatly facilitates the mould
ing of the wood.
1t has recently been found that any ofthe
woods that are naturally white, such as the
maple linden, ETC., may be easily dyed
red, of varied and brilliant hues, by means
of some of the aniline preparations now so
popular, such as corein, rosin, etc. The
wood is first soaked in or washed with Mar
settles soap, after which dilute alcoholic
solution of the aniline color is applied,
which may be repeated until the desired
shade is produced. If the wood is impreg-
mated with any pigment, it must be first
blcached. For this purpose it is placed for
! about half an hour in bath of chloride OF
lime and soda; a bath of dilute ulphu rous
acid may then be used to remove the chic
rine, and after this a thorough washing in
pure water is to precede the dyeing treat
ment. The result is said to be very salts
factory.
Among the various means and substanc-
cSemployed for the preservation of wood
An account of which would fill a large
volume-paraf1ine is perhaps the most re-
cent, and il is also claimed to be simple
cheap, and effective. 1t is stalled that the
principal difficulty with it is in the dry
ing of the wood, which of course ought tc
be perfect. a solution of paraf1ine in ben
zine under pressure of from five 10 eight
atmospheres, penetrates the wood, wher
packed in a wrought-iron cylinder ant
heated by steam. The greatest portion o
the paralline, it is said, can be recovered by
redistillation, and the process is iDexpen-
sive. Another alleged advantage is tina
the wood may be worked into the required
shape before subjecting it to impregnation
which is not the case with metallic solu
tons.