Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-06-01

suggestions To- wood CONSUME
Concerning the Durability OF Tim
Der.

Der.
The United States Department Of
Ayr culture, Forestry ID. vision, has is.
sued circular to wood consumers con-
corning the desirability of increasing
the durability of timber. from which we
make some extracts.
Decay of wood is due to fermentation
of the sap induced probably by the
growth of either bacteria or fungi
These organisms need for their devel-
opemcnt warmth and moisture. besides
the nitrogenous substances and salts
contained in solution in the sap. 10
prevent this growth of these ferments,
therefore. the sap in the wood must be
dissolved. leached or dried out. and
moisture be prevented from entering
again.
Timber placed entirely under water
or deep in soil, as drain pipes, will
practically not decay nor is it liable to
rot when kept absolutely dry away
from the influence of humid atmosphere.
Wood generally decays in proportion TO
the warmth of the temperature. Hence
on northern exposures. IN cool valleys,
on high elevations, in northern coun-
tries, the duration OF wood Is longer
than when placed under opposite in
nuenccs.
If wood is used in contact with the
ground. decay proceeds more rapidly,
the looser mOister and warmer the
soil, and especially the greater the La
bility of change from dry 10 wet There
fore timber will last longer in heavy,
/ always moist clay than IN loose al ornate
= " moist and dry sand gravel, or IN warm,
/ comparatively dry lime soils. Rooms
without venClation induce decay. pro-
duchg the dry rot which first appears
in white patches, changing into brown
or gray. Ventilation and drying out
and isolation from moisture Will cure
this detect
Sound, mature trees yield more dur
able timber than either young or very
old trees. Maturity is the time when
trees have ceased TO grow vigorously.
which is indicated by II ilMtenlng Of the
crown, dying out of branches in the
crown, aud by the change OF the color
of the bark. Maturity may he reached
species when the diameter is one and "A
half inches. or when it IS as many feet.
A small tree on arid soil, or over-topped
by others from its birth, may be rs old
and older than tree of greater dimen-
sions growing under more favorable
conditions. OF two pieces Of the same
kind, the heavier is more durable, al
though absolute weight of two different
Ii. a at1ary inn no
relative durability.
Heart wood, as "a rule can resist de-
terioration longer than sap wood, be-
cause it contains less sap. When the
sap wood is well seasoned and heavie r
however. this difference disappears.
The site has an influence on durability
in SO far is it influences the formation
of heavy wood.
Quickly-grown hard wood with wide
annual rings. and slowly-grown con-
ifers with narrow yet not too narrow
rings, and tapped pines. yield on the
tapped side, rs Il rule, the most dura-
bic wood. other cond tons being equal.
Conferous wood from comparatively
poor soils. high altitude and dense for
est, hard woods from. rich, deep, warm
soils and isolated positions, are most
durable. The resinous substances N
conlfers offer an element of protection
against decay.
With proper after-treatment OF the
wood time of telling seems not TO af-
feet It's durability. Early Winter fell
Ing should have the preference, because
less fermentable sap is then in the
trees, and the timber will season with
less care, more slowly and more even
" and before the weather 10 warm
enough for fermenton TO set ia.
If The wood is cut lin the sap it is
more liable TO fermentation and to the
attacks of insects, and more care is
necessary in seasoning. The rapid sea-
sonng. due to the warm. dry atmes-
phere, produces an outer seasoned coat
which envelopes an unseasoned inter-
Tor liable to decay. When cut I'm the
leaf it is advantageous TO let the trees
lie full length until the leaves are
thoroughly withered, say two or three
weeks, before cutting 10 size. With
couifers this is good at any season.
Where possible all Winter felled trees
should be left lying to leaf out in
Spring by which most of the sap Is
worked out and evaporated.
As TO the treatment of timber after
telling. always remove the bark to aid
in seasoning. Never remove bark from
standing tree, and never allow the log
to lie directly on the moist soil. II
Winter.felled. shape the timber to size
within two weeks after telling and leave
it placed on blocks in the forest, or if
shaped at home. place In a dry, airy.
not windy position, away from sun and
rain.
II dried too rapidly. wood warps and
splits, the cracks collect water. and the
timber is then easily attacked and de-
stroyed by rot. With large logs,
checking may be prevented by coating
the ends with brick dust, or covering
with pece of linen cloth. or even pa
per, or by simply shading them to les
sen the evaporation. Cracks on the
side NAV be filled in with tow or cot
ton. When piling timber, place laths
or sticks OF uniform size at uniform dis
taDce under each log or post or tie.
The best method of obtaining proper
/ xv;tknnf nnatly