Nebraska advertiser., 1881-09-22
Coal TAP on the Farm.

The attention of our readers has been
frequently called to the value of coal
tar on the farm, especially in the pres
ervatlon of woods, and we are more
forcibly impressed with its value as our
experiments begin to assume the au-
thority of demonstration. Much has
been written of its adaptation to the
needs of the farmer as cheap paint
for out-buildings; without detracting
from its value for such purposes, we
are led to believe that this is one of the
minor considerations in its practical
use, and that the great purpose to
which it will be applied will be in the
preservation of timber and the conver-
sion of woods, liable to decay from ex-
posure, to material valuable for all pur-
poses. That coal tar does almost per-
fUctly preserve our soft woods has been
fully demonstrated, so that it does not
belong to the speculative.
Last year, to test for Iowa the value
of our soft wood, when properly treated,
we boiled posts of green bass-wood,
water-elm, cotton wood, white willow
and oak, in coal tar, allowing them to
remain in the tank ten minutes each;
then they were drained and piled up,
exposed to the sun one month";; after
ward they were set in the ground rs
ordinary posts. At this date there is
no perceptible difference in their dura-
bility; all are as sound rs when set.
What is more remarkable, the bass wood
holds nail apparently as well rs the
oak. In cutting q cross section, the tar
seemed to penetrate quite distance,
filling the pores and hardening the
wood from one-half to three-quarters of
an inch deep, which was like cement and
impervious to water. Much depends,
doubtless, upon the method of prepara-
tion. The wood should be green to OBJ
tain the best results. Farmers are fa.
miliar with the decided Improvement in
the character of wood when cut green
and seasoned under shelter. Poplar,
cottonwood and white willow thus pre-
pared, MAKE excellent fuel. Beech and
other woods for mechanical purposes,
when the greatest solidity and tenacity
of fiber are required, are dressed green
and oiled, then are dried under cover.
The charring of wood also adds materi-
ally to its durability. Coal tar secures
all these conditions. When the green
post or board is placed in boiling tar
the sap is expelled, and is replaced by
the tar to some extent; deeper portions
are affected as by rapid seasoning.
The vat for heating the tar may be
made like an ordinary sap pan and of
any length put in barrel of tar and
dip the whole post or as much rs de-
sired. The most particular part to be
covered is that just above and below the
| surface when set. Where great dura-
biity is desired the post should be
boiled thirty minutes or more; ten min
utes will answer for boards,
A barrel of coal tar, costing $3, will
cover $50 posts, if boiled, or 200 if
dipped one.half length. The cost of
boiling lumber in tar is estimated at So
per thousand feet, and thus prepared
even bass-wood is practically inde-
structible. Treated with coal tar the
long, slim white willow poles, SO abund-
ant in the West, become as valuable as
cedar and are the ready solution of the
question, what shall we do for fence
postsP
AS a paint, one coat of hot tar is
worth more than any known prepara-
tion of oil for the preservation of wood.
-Prot 5. n. Knapp, IN IOe0a state ReQ'r.