Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-01-26

II would be interesting TO record the
many evidences of the value of lime In
arresting decay. AS long ago as 1859 q
MIR. Jackson, a chemist, OBJ aimed permis-
sion 10 prepare timber for the shipyards,
by immersihg 1t IN solution OF salt
water, lime, muriate of soda, etc. an
other prsctical eXperimentaiist suggested
slaked lime, thinned with a solution of
glue, for mopping the timbers Of ship.
| The preservation OF timber has been
attempted by surrounding II with pounded
lime, and several attempts have been
made TO preserve timber by the use of
lime. Mr.. Britton, in his work on "Dry
Rot mentions number Of cases where
lime has been of service. lie says,
"quicklime with damp has been found TO
accelerate putrefaction i'm consequence Of
its extracting carbon; but when dry and
in such large quantities as TO absorb all
moisture from the wood, the mood is pre-
serUed and the sap hardened" ives
sells long in the lime trade have afforded
proof Of this fact, also examples in plas-
terng laths which are generally found
sound where they have been found dry. "
| The joists and sleepers of basement floors
are rendered less subject 10 decay by a
coating of limewhite; aud this might be
P1newed at intervals. The same writer
adds, at does not appear practicable 10
use limewater To any extent for preserving
timber, because water holds in solution
only about 1000 part of lime, which
quantity would be too inconsiderable; it,
however, renders timber more durable
but at the same tine very hard and diff
cult 10 be worked These facts are In
structIve; they show, at least, that lime
In sufficient quantity kept dry is valu-
able prescrvatlve agent, and some pTacti-
cal chemist might earn a deserved repute
If he could prepare lime solution that
would be capable OF rendering so substan-
tIal a service To all builders. Such a solu-
tion would DC at least sufficiently re-
munerative to make it worth while TO try
few experiments In this direction. Ii is
stated on good authority that the white
ant in India costs the government 4l00, 000
year for repairing woodwork, bridges,
ETC., caused by its depredatIons. Con-
crete Easements have been found to resist
the encroachments of the ant DIR. OAR
win proposed process of timber preser-
srrvation some years ago, In which an
absorption of limewater was effected, and
after that had dried, weak solution of
sulpnuric acid, so as 10 form sulphate of
lime in the pores of the wood. The
growth of dry-rot or fungus on timber has
been prevented by lImewater, and many
ins ances have been mentioned of It's
value. The cleansing and sanitary virtues
Of lime are more generally known The
painter uses limewater to kill the grease
upon his work instead of turpentine and
SCOT stains on the outside of flues have
been removed by the agency of thick warm
lImewasn. The value of hmewhIte as a
wash fer walls, as purifier of the air In
Sheds, stables, and other buildings is un-
q .estionable, though all limewashed roof
timbers have rather rough and penurious
look. AS a preservatIve coating % the
jolsts Of floors and other timbers not ex-
posed TO damp, it seems worthy of a more
extended tIial.