Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-07-07
WHY WOOD DECAYS.


| government iuNestixAtIOuS w Etuu
the Best Wood Preservative.
| Piles driven by the hut jewellers Of the
Baltic centuries ago are as sound to-day as
| when first placed. The wooden coffins in
which the Egyptians buried their dead
are still preserved in perfect condition az
ter 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, fangi
and bacteria, low forms OF plant life which
live in the wood and draw their nourish-
ment from it. The organisms are so
little that a microscope is required to see
them, yet their work results in the de-
structions 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 hundred or
so dollars year for fence posts, are alike
drawing upon the knowledge OF experts in
the most economical and most satisfactory
method of preserving wood against the i'm
roads 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. The
small organisms can grow either ia light
or in total darkness, bat all of them re-
qaire requisite amoants OF air. food,
moisture and heat. l. one or more o.
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
sufficient supply of air. This condition
accounts for the soundness of the old Bal
tic piles. On the other hand, IL wood can
be kept air dry it will not decay because
there will then be too little moisture. The
timber used by the Egyptians will last in
definitely so long as ii is bone dry.
There are great many cases, however.
merged in wster, or in an absolutely air
dry condition. In fact, large percent
age Of the timber which is used is ex-
posed to the weather, and is subjected to
decay simply because it contains enough
air and enough water for the decomposing
organisms to get a foothold
Decay is most serious where the atmo-
sphere 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 the timber to rapidly decompose.
Decay may be prevented by two general
methods treating the wood with anti
sep.ics, thus poisoning the food supply Of
the organisms which cause decay, and by
treating it with oils which render it wat
erproof. A com oination O. these two
methods is most COMMONLY used. as w hen
wood is treated with creosote, W hich fills
up the pores in the timber and keeps out
water and is also powerful antiseptic.-
The United States government considers
the investigations OF thu preservative
treatment Of timber OF such importance
that the business OF one branch Of bu-
reau in the department OF agriculture the
'.office OF wood preservation" in the forest
service at Westinghouse given over en-
tireiy to the work OF experiments in CO.
operation with railroad companies and in
divfduals in prolonging the life OF railroad
ties. mine props, bridge timbers, fence
posts and transmission poles. The length
ening Of life of timber means the saving OF
thousand of dollars annually through do
ing away With the heavy expense OF labor
and cost Of material for renewals.