The daily gazette., 1881-04-14
SUBSTITUTES FOR LUMBER.

we are Ia receipt, from MIR. b. w.
Hamilton, of Lawrence, Kansas, of a
sample of lumber made from straw,
manufactured after process patented
by himself, the particulars of which
he does not explain. He informs us,
however, that he can manufacture
lumber like the sample sent, in any
desired length, from ~ feet upward,
and to 81 inches in width, at a cost
competing with the better or finishing
grades Of pine, although he does not
inform us whether this competition
will apply equally to sections where
Lumber is comparatively cheap, as at
Chicago and at Western grain produc-
ing points as at Kansas. We imagine,
however, that the expense will vary
Dut little at any point where straw is
obi ainable in large quantities.
Ihe manufacture is,of course confined
TO grade which - i'll compete with the
better class of lumber, as there would be
DO object in filling the new product with
knots, and shakes would scarcely be OBJ
tainable even if desired, while sap and
decayed wood must he impossibiliLies.
The sample sent TO us will hold nail
as well a wood, is equally susceptible to
high painting finish, and can be
polished to high degree as it at all
desirable. Being made waterproof, we
can discover no possible reason why it
should not be as durable, or even more
SO, than pine or even oak, while its
adaptabillty is evidently as great for
roofing purposes, as for the fine work Of
a dwelling.
The question Of cost appears to us to
be the most important element vet to be
practically solved. We can see no reason
why 1t is not susceptible Of being worked
under the plane cr other ordinary tools
OF the carpenter, and when oDce fitted to
It's place, we can readily believe that It
Will be free from shrinkage or swelling.
In appearance, the sample before us
resembles hardwood, being about as
dark as oak and more dense in texture.
with specific gravity one-fifth greater
than thoroughly seasoned black walnut.
For finishing purposes, it will not, as
rule, be necessarily as thick as ordinary
lumber, its tensile strength being ap-
parently double that of wood of the
same thickness. On the whole, we are
avorably impressed with the appearance
tne new artlhclal lumber.
In connection with the new STYLES of
building material, we may mention a
new block of buildings now in course
OF erection on the corner of Randolph
and Dearborn streets in this city, the
facings and trimmings of which are
wholly of terra Gotta, which is another
name for baked clay. These trim
mlnnQ rpn,tldn1 80
shape, and may be made as highly Or
namental as is the carved pattern in
which they are formed. By adding a
mixture of sawdust with that portion
OF the clay which does not require n
flushed surface, the block may be re-
duced in any reasonable degree as re-
CARDS weight, while, being hollow,
large piece is comparatively light.
The faces being made of finer clay,
carefully moulded, present a finished
character, and the block as q whole
presents as rich an appearance as any
in this city of elegant buildings, and
is in favorable contrast with the mas
sive stone pillars of the lower part of
this or the surrounding buildings. 1t
is evident that inventive art combined
with aesthetic taste will, in the future,
readily adapt itself to the demands Of
civilization, and while building timber
may grow scarcer, succeeding :, nera-
tions will think Of the age of wood as
well suited to the needs of a genera
tion which, in its rapid s. ttlement of
new country, found it indispensable,
at the same time congratulating them
sslvet upon the possession Of mole
durable, fully as ornamental, and
equally as cheap a substitute In clay,
glass, paper, and iron. We may
speculate upon The details of archi-
tectulal estimates in the future as in
Guiding paper paper for doors and win
dow frames, floors, mouldings, ald
roof; glass for porches and pillars, as
well as fer lighting; terra Gotta for
window caps snd sills, and as well for |
cornices and walls and iron for |
beams, joist, and raftsrs, with not |
silver of wood in the whole con-
Future generations will
realize what at present we but antici- |
pate.-N. w. LHmb6rmdn.