The Washington herald., 1909-03-28

Piles driven by the hut dweliers OF the
Baltic centuries ago are as sound to-day
as when frst placed
The wooden collins In which the Egyp-
tans buried their dead are stin preserved
In perfect condition after thousands OF
years OF service
The longevity Of timber under these TWO
extremes OF climate and moisture condi-
tions has naturally made people ask.
What causes wood decay? The answer IS:
Fungi and bacteria. low forms Of plant
life which live in the wood and draw
their nourishment from f.
Seek Means to Destroy Them.
The little organisms s-e Sc small that a
microscope Is required TO see them, yet
their work results in the destruction OF
billions OF feet Of timber each year. and
the railroad corporation, with its cross-tie
bill running UP into seven figures. and the
farmer who spends a hundred OF so dol
lars a year for fence posts, are alike
drawing upon the knowledge OF experts
in all parts Of the world in efforts 10 learn
the most economical and satisfactory
method OF preserving wood against the
inrOads OF decay
In studying the means OF preventing
decay wood preserving experts have
learned many things about the obnoxious
fungi which sap the life OF timber.
Grow IN LIght and Darkness.
The small organisms can grow either IN
light or in total darkness. but all OF them
require requisite amounts OF air, food
moisture, and heat II one or more OF
these essential requirements IS lacking
they cannot live and the decay OF timber
will not take place.
Wood constantly submerged in water
never rots. simply because there is an IN
sUmcient supply OF air This condition
accounts FOR the soundness OF the old
Baltic piles
on the other hand. II wood can be kept
air-dry IL viii not decay. because there
viii then be too little moisture. The tim
/ ber used by the Egyptians VIII last indeh-
nitely so long as IL is bone-dry.
There are a great many cases. however.
where Il IS impossible 10 keep wood sub
merged in water or in an absolutely air
dry condition. In fact. large percentage
Of the timber used IS exposed 20 the
{
because It contains enough air and enough
water for the decompOsing organisms TO
get a foothold
Warm. Damp Air Favorable.
Decay Is most serious where the atmos-
phere IS warm and damp. because these
conditions are most favorable for its de-
velopment. In the coal mines OF Pennsyl-
vania timber decays in two or three years
/ because the temperature IS warm and
( constant and the air IS damp. And in the
South the warm. humid atmosphere often
/ causes timber to decompose rapidly.
/ Decay may be prevented by two general
methods-by treating the wood with anti
/ septics, thus poisoning the food supply OF
/ the organisms which cause decay and by
l treating Ii with oils. which render II
waterproof. A combination OF these two
| methods IS most commonly used, as when
wood Is treated with creOsote, which fills
UP the pores IN the timber and keeps out
water and is also a powerful antiseptic.
Government Studies Problem.
The United States government considers
the investigations OF the preservativt
treatment OF timber OF such Importance
that the business Of one branch OF q bu-
reau IN the Department OF Agriculture
the 'ofice Of wood preservation" in the
Forest Service-ls given over TO the worB
Of experiments. in cooperation with rail.
road companies and individuals. in pro-
| longing the life OF railroad ties, mine
props. bridge tinbers. fence posts. and
transmission poles.
Advice and practical assistance is fur
nished all who request this advice OF tho
forester. The lengthening OF life OF tim
Der means the saving Of thousands OF dol
lars annually through doing away with
the heavy expense of labor and cost Oi
material for renewals.