The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-08-26
= otectiOM ofWOodYork,

1t IS well known that the sap OF wood
contains substances like albumen, gelatinc
gum, ETC., which easily undergo dccomposi-
ton, and under certain circumstances, such
as favor fermentation and in warm damp
air, are able to destroy very rapidly the
stronger woody Hbes. The more sap
there is in the wood, that is
to say the greencr il is, and the
sooner tho evaporation of this sap is stopped
by an alright cover, the quicker the fer
mentation will set in, and with it the decay
of the woody fiber. These circumstances
are correctly understood by practical men,
who prescribe that the timber be fclled in
winter, and try to obtain free circulation
of air through the structure. They think
| they avoid the disadvantages above NEIL
toned if they, further, demand seasoned
wood" because it is clear that there is less
| danger OF decomposition III such wood
| than III fresh or green stuff. But here we
at once stumble on this difficulty, namely,
of determining what degree dryness in the
| wood to be tested seems most advantage
GUS for its use, and the time required for
this is much longer than is generally sup
posed. The appearance Of the wood is
very seldom reliable guide. and people
are accustomed to think that the wood is
much dricr than it really is. The compar-
ativcly important changes which the wood
undergocs during the first year from
shrinkage enables us to measure approxi-
mately the time necessary to destroy the
last evil effects of It's interior life. Not un-
til it has reached this stage, which requires
four to six years, unless artificial seasoning
is resorted to, is the timber benefited by
covering it with Il protecting coat of paint
At this time the paint must have a bcnefi-
clal effect IN protecting the wood, for it
prevents atmospheric moisture penetrating
ing INTO the wood to serve as a reagcnt to
dccompose the albumcn, which Is now
drlcd and coagulatcd as we'll as less abun-
dant. Owing to the position of the lum-
Der yards and the urgency for materials to
build with 1t is seldom possible to obtain
well seasoned lumber and wood. Sauer-
vein, therefore, proposes the following
process The most rational and sensible
process for large, heavy timbcrs is the i'm
pregnation, rs for railroad ties, with chlo-
ride of zinc under SIX to eight atmospheres
OF pressure, where this can be done.
(Fresh green wood Is best for this) No
arguments arc necessary In defense of the
value of this method; it cannot be too
strongly recommended, nor Ia the expense
great-about 81 per cubic meter. When
there Is no opportunity for impregnation
the woodwork should be left two or four
years unpaintcd. In my experience, says
Sauerweln, wood tar is better than coal
tar, because 1t pencratcs in the wood more
easily, and, containing larger amount of
antiseptic substances, its effect Is more per-
mancnt. Although wood tar is considera-
bly, dcarcr it is to be preferred. Its color
being somewhat similar to wood color, Il
can be used on small unimportant buildings.
Its cost is only onc.fourth that of oil paint
and can be applied by common workman.
Plancd and worked surfaces should be
merely oiled (threc timcs) not painted
Besides having better appearance, this
oil varnish Is necessary to prevent crack.
ing and drawing Of thin parts like doors
and windows. II does not interfere with
the gradual drying out Of the wood. Aftel
the expiration Of three to five years the oil
ing may be replaced by protecting Goa
! Of paint to prevent water from penetrating
into the wood work. 1t should be added
that 1t seems advantageous to mix abou
one part of euthated chalk with thre,
, parts OF the white lead which Is used will
the special color for all oil paints. Thi