Bryan morning eagle and pilot. (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1909, 1909-03-26
HOW TO PRESERVE TIMBER.
Valuable information 10 Farmers II
Preserving Fence Posts, Bridge
Timbers, Etc.

| optclai 10 bryan NOTHING EasIe.
Washington. March 25.-Piles driv.
en- by the hut dwellers of the Baltic
centuries ago are as sound today as
when first placed. The wooden collins
in which the Egyptians buried their
dead are still preserved In perfect
condition after thousands of years of
service.
The longevity OF timber under
these two extremes OF climate and
moisture conditions 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 nour.
lshment from II. The little organisms
are SO little that a microscope is re-
quired TO see them. yet their work
results In the destruction OF billions
OF feet OF timber each year and the
railroad corporation with It's cross tie
bill running up into seven figures and
the farmer who spends a hundred or
so dollars 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 most satisfactory method of pre-
serving wood against the inroads of
decay. In studying the means OF pre-
venting decay wood.preserving eX.
perts have learned many things about
the obnoxious fungi which sap the
life OF timber.
The small organism 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 require
ments 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 insufficient amount OF air.
This condition accounts for the sound
ness Of the old Baltic piles. on the
other hand. II wood can be- kept air.
dry Il will not decay because there
will then be too little moisture. The
timber used by the Egyptians will
last indefinitely 80 long as II is bone
dry.
There are q great many cases how.
ever. where Il Is impossible To keep !
wood submerged In water. or In an
absolutely air-dry condition. In fact |
large percentage Of the timber |
which Is used Is exposed 10 the wealth |
or, and Is subjected To decay simply |
because IL contains enough air and |
enough water for decomposinE organ. |
ism TO get foothold. Decay Is most /
serious where the atmosphere Is
warm and damp. because these condi. ,
tions are most favorable for its de-
velopment In the coal mines of
Pennsylvania timber decays in two or
three years because the temperature
Is warm and constant and the air is I
damp. And In the South, the warm.
humid atmosphere often causes the
timber to rapidly decompose.
Decay may be prevented by two
general methods. by treating the wood
with antiseptics, thus poisoning the
food supply of the organisms which
cause decay and by treating II with
oils which render II waterproof. A
combination OF these two methods Is
most commonly used. as when wood
is 4treated with creosote which fills
up the pores In the timber and keeps
out water aud Is also a powerful an.
iiseptic.
The United States government con.
siders the Investigations OF the pre-.
sentative treatment OF timber OF such
Importance that the business OF one
branch OF a bureau IN the Depart.
ment OF Agriculture-the Office of
Wood Preservation" in the Forest
Service at Washington. Is given over
entirely 10 the work OF experiment I
In cooperation with railroad compan.
les and individuals in prolonging the
life Of railroad ties. mine props,
bridge timbers. fence posts and trans !
mission poles. Advice and practical {
assistance Is furnished all who re-
quest this advice aud practical as h
sistance is furnished an who request C
This advice OF The Forester The q
OF life of timber means
the saving OF thousands OF dollars
annually through doing away with {
the heavy expense of labor and cost y
OF material for renewals. d,
There seems to be- little doubt that X