New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-12

PRESERVATION OF WOOD BY MEANS OF IRON
According to Hubert. iron has always been recog-
nized as the best preventative for wood, and the
difficulty in its application did not lie in the i'm
preenation of the wood with it, but in the retention
of it in the wood in its most effective form as n.y.
drafted sesquioxide which not only dsplaces the al
bumen and other heterogeneous matter, but also rem
ders the wood unfit for the support of insects
Copper although of great value in this respect
might be dispensed WITH and it is not applicable in
earth containing ammoniacal matter. 1t Is suff-
Gent, in order TO impregnate wood with iron. to
drive into it long, thin nails with broad fiat heads
These upon rusting when the wood Is placed In the
ground, continually distribute iron through the
whole mass of the wood. If preferable, the wood
may be wound with iron wire. Wood has been pre-
served in this way in moist earth for nearly -
years; and it is q fact, often noticed, that in old
buildings the wood filled with nails has remained
sound, while the rest has completely gone TO decay
CONSUMPTION OF WOOD BY RALwAYs-The Nd
topal Car Builder reports that at the close of 1873
there were 7l,5649 miles of main lines and 1852
miles of sidings and double tracks, making s5,977.9
miles of railway within the United States Upon
these roads the larger proportion of the locomotives
consumed wood for their fuel. The number of ties
used varies from 1920 to $500 per mile Taking
$500 as the mean, it appears that 2l2G9500 pieces
of timber eight feet long and from six to eight
inches between the upper and lower surfaces, are
required to supply this single item. The durability
of ties varies with climate. kind of timber, soil. ana
USAGE from four to ten years. Assuming six years
as the average life of tie the amount required for
annual supply must be 1880 pieces OF w.
membered that a large amount OF waste occurs from
hewing and other causes. Ii must be also borne IN
mind thatthe demand for timber by railroads. besides
for ties and fuel, is enormous including fencing
bridges buildings, and other structures In great va
rety and number; that the FISK from nres Is eXcep
H.. and hat nurr
direction are increasing more rapidly than our
supplies are wasting away
MAGNETIC SAND IN LABRADOR. 1t is stated that
within few years past large quantities of magnetic
iron ore in sand have been discovered on the north
coast of Labrador, and that Mr.. Lamothe of Mont
real has more recently been engaged in bringing
this to public notice. company was formed and
FORCES were built at Moisie which now in opera
fion, and other localities have since been deter
mined along the north shore especially at Matash-
ouen. Kegashka, st. John River, and ST. Marguerite
Several attempts have been made to purify this
sand in a rapid and economical manner. and to make
steel from the ore by direct process, and these
problems have now been solved by Pro1. LaIne ana
MIR Kizer of Montreal
An Establishment has also been erected at Block
Point between ST. John River and Mlngan' Tor the
preDaratiOn OF the sand and It's eXp0ratlOntO swan.
Sea IL contains in the rough state, ~ per cent OF
the magnetic irOn and when prepared W per cent;
IL is expected that 80 tons per day VIII DC
at this place. Works for the manufacture Oh steeI
from this sand have been established at QneDec anu
at Matashquan others are being put up. Inc ore ~
said to excel that of NewZealand IN rlchneSs' anu
1T is probable that before long it Will occupy per
manent place In the iron industry
SECOND REPORT OF THE FISH COMMISSIONERS OF
VERMoST.-The report of the Fish Commissioners
of the State of Vermont (Drs. Edmunds and Gold
smith, for 1874 being their second, has been pub
lished by the Legislature and contains an account
of the measures adopted by the Commissioners for
restocking the rivers of the State with useful food
fishes The Importance of this interest to the State
is shown. according to this report, by the large
water area possessed by Vermont in proportion toits