The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1907-11-22
Government studies
house Shingles
Official Foresters Working
to Improve Their
Usefulness.
THE CREOSOTE IDEA
Enormous Amount Invested
in This Important
Lumber Product.
THE CRE0sOTE IDEA

Washington, Nov. 1S.-Curled and
warped shingles on roofs of suburban
and country houses are a common but
not pleasing sight in all parts of the
country where buildings are covered
with wood. Shingles warp and curl be-
cause after a wetting-and they get
many-the upper side dries first. In
a few years the roof leaks, decays and
must come off. Many years ago farm
ers made what they called their ever
lasting" roofs of white pine, cedar, and
black walnut shingles, free from sap,
rived with frow, and shaved with a
drawing knife Such shingles cannot
now be had, for the fine straight grain
ed timber necessary for their manufac-
ture is scarce and very expensive.
Formerly good wood was plentiful
and shingles cheap. 1t costs more to
replace leaky roof now, and earnest
search has been made for ways to
check the warping and decay of shin
giles, and make the roof last longer.
The Forest Service has studied the
shingle problem along with that of the
preservation Of farm timber. 1t is
found that shingles treated with creo-
sote by special process which the SER
vice has invented, warp but little and
decay slowly because water is kept out
Of the tissues of the wood. One such
roof will outlast two or three left in
the natural state to curl, spring leaks,
and fall to pieces. The creosote used is
nothing more than deal oil of coal tar,
but 1t keeps water from entering the
pores of the wood and renders it i'm
mune to decay for long time A roof
of that kind costs a little more at first,
but 1t is cheaper in the long run.
Woods which are usually classed as in
ferior, such loblolly pine, beech, syca-
more, and others which are quick-de-
caying, readily take the preservative
treatment and are given a largely in
creased value.
The preserving apparatus is neither
expensive nor hard to operate. One
such outfit will serve several farmers.
The main items are an iron tank Gan
old engine boiler win do) with pre-
sentative fluid In it and a fire under it,
and another tank OF, cold preventative
The shingles or other woods to be
treated are immersed for a sufficient
time In the hot creosote, and then in
the cold. Full details of the operation
are given to applicants for informa-
ton by the Forest Service at Washing
ton.
Shingles are one Of the most i'm
portant lumber products in this coun-
try. Last year nearly twelve billions
we're made. Even this enormous num-
Der was heavy falling off from the
total of the year before. II is signifi-
cant fact that the chief source of shin
gle supply is now the forests of the
far northwest, from which shingles
are brought even to New York. The
eastern sources of supply are not able
to meet the eastern demand. It is
therefore fortunate that shingles are
so easily given a preservative treat
ment by which their life Is heightened.
Many handsome residences in all
parts Of the country have their sides
and gables covered with shingles. This
architectural use often calls for stain
ing or painting In harmonious colors.
Such coloring is less frequently seen on
roofs, where 1t does not last long, be-
cause rain washes it Off
The Forest Service has been expert
menting in this field, also, and has
found that stains may be carried into
the shingles, along with the preserva-
tives by the new process. The coloring
matter is mixed with the creosote,
reaches every fiber which the creosote
touches, and lasts as long as the ere
osote lasts-ahd that is long time.
Such a stain does not easily weather
out, whether on walls, gables, or roof.
1t is expected to prove much superior
to the old way of staining or painting
the surface only.