The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1880-10-28

An easy and simple method OF rem
dering timber unusually durable, If not
practically indcstructible, is, Of the
greatest value to the agricultural COM
munity. Fence posts, stills of buildings
and other timber exposed to Influences
which cause rapid decay last but few
years under ordinary circumstances. 1t
has long been known that lime is an
effective preservative, acting in this
way by coagulating the albumen in the
cellular tissue Of the timber. An easy
method of preparing the timber has
been applied practically by French
mining engineer. A pit was made, in
which the timber was placed; quick
lime was scattered over it and then
slaked with water. After being ex-
posed few days to the action of the
lime, the timber was removed and
used as supports for the roof of the
mine. Where unprepared timber lasts
but two years, that prepared in this
way has been in use for several years
without the least appearance Of decay.
This method of preservation commends
itself for IFS simplicity aud cheapness
for farm use.
The foregoing embraces substantial
ly the principles involved in A. b. G.'s
article and now il occurs to us that
we have often noticed similar state
ments on the same subject, but they all
lacked responsible verifcation. 1t
appears to us that the subject is of suf-
ficicnt importance to warrant an au-
thenticatcd experiment for the benefit
of the public. Analogous to il here
follows voice from over the water:
"Thc decay of wood imbedded in the
earth is difficult to guard against; but
according to the British Farmers Gag
cite, a simple precaution, costing nei-
ther money nor labor, will increase the
durability of posts put into the ground
by SO per cent. This is simply by TAX
ing care that the wood is inverted-i.e c.
placed in the opposite direction to that
in which it grew. Experiments have
proved that oak posts put in the GROUND
in the same position in which they
grew (top upwarO were rotten in
twelve years, while their neighboes., cut
from the same tree, and placid TOP
downward iu the soil, showed no signs
of decay for several years afterward
The theory is that the capillary tubes
in the tree are so adjusted as to oppose
the rising moisture when the wood is
Inverted"
This plan seems to have more theory
about it than fact, and therefore VIC
have a stronger faith in the lime pro-
cess, simply because everybody knows
the preserving quality of lime in white.
washing fences. On this subject we
may be allowed to remark that many
people defeat the end of withdrawing
by making the mixture too thick, in
which case it soon falls off in largt
cakes, and does not penetrate the It's.
sues Of the wood. Preliminarily allied
to the subject. the following may have
a legitimate relation:
at is asserted, and no doubt truly
that the timber cut from the middle OF
June to the middle of August lasts
much longer, especially when exposed
to the weather AS rails, or the end bur-
led in the ground like posts. Still, il
cut i'm the other months of the year
the bark peeled off and the timber laid
upon supports two feet or SO from the
ground, and permitted to season wei
before using il, would The differ.
ence OF endurance be SO mich? Man,
years ago 1 had white ced'.r fence posts
cut in the winter, and. as soon as The
frost was out Of the ground had mostly
rottcd. while the psrts out of it KEEP
sound. | then took them out, and a,
the bark had peeled off itself on tho
other end and the posts were still LONG
enough for fhe purpose, | reversed
them and set these well-seasoned end,
in the ground. they have been thus
used for several years, and as yet SEE
no tendency to rot, though suppose
they will not endure SO long as if the
timber had been cut in the summer and
then well seasoned before setting tho
posts. Rails cut in the winter, although
laid up high and dry in a fence where
they can season well, often rot rather
rapidly. Cor. n. y. Tribune.