The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-03-07
RAILROAD NEWS.
Santa Fe Is Planning Future
Tie Supply.
Eucalyptus Trees Grown in
California.
is A GREAT PROBLEM.
J A GREAT PROBLEM.
American Roads Attempt t.
Raise Own Ties.
other Items Of General Inter
est in Traffic World.

One of the greatest problems con-
fronting the American railroads is the
question of timber for the future tie
supply. Timber rapidly is growing
scarcer, and before many years, If the
matter is not considered now, the rail-
roads practically will be unable to
meet the demands of their roadbeds
Various schemes have been sug-
gested, with varying success. Tie treat
ing is one of the most popular methods
used to preserve the life of ties. Rail-
roads find that by the creosoting pro-
| cess the length of a tie can be pro
longed several years. Nearly all of the
larger railroad systems now have large
tie treating stations which employ
large forces of men.
Experiments of various kinds have
been made to conserve the tie supply.
Many have sought substitutes Iron
ties have been tried, but have given
poor results, principally because of
their expansion during hot weather and
also because of the expense.
OF the western roads, and probably
in the lead of all the railroads of
America, is the Santa Fe. A new ma
chine has been built under the direc-
ton of the mechanical officials of the
company which promises much in the
preservation of ties. This machine,
designed by H. w. Jacobs, assistant
superintendent of motive power, drives
screw spike in the tie. 1t has been
found by observation that the old fash
toned spike greatly distorts the grain
of the wood and subjects the tie to the
action of the elements, Fastening an
early decay. This invention has been
tried, and in central Kansas several
miles of track have been laid by this
machine 1t yet is too early, however,
to speak automatically of the results.
but Santa Fe officials believe the in
vention has every indication of sue
cess. Other roads are watching the ex-
pertinent, and should this invention
prove to have all the favorable points
the Santa F'e believes it to have, prob
ably will be adopted generally.
Grows It's Own Ties.
Another method in which the Santa
F'e has taken the initiative, is the
growing of it's own trees from which
will be drawn the future supply of the
road. After extensive experimenting
and investigation, covering a period of
four or five years, in which E. o.
Faulkner, superintendent of the tie
and timber department of the road,
spent year in a trip around the
world, the officials have decided that
the eucalyptus tree affords the best
material for ties. Mr.. Faulkner in his
travels spent considerable time in the
Hawaiian islands and in Australia,
where he studied the conditions under
which the eucalyptus thrives best.
tons into practice, Mr.. Faulkner OBJ
tanned a tract of land near Los An
geles, known as the San Deguito
ranch, and in three years rapid pro-
gress has been made in the growing Of
the eucalyptus trees. Several varieties
of this tree, commanly known as the
sugar gum, planted three years ago,
have reached a height of eighteen to
twenty feet, and d circumference OF
from fifteen to eighteen inches. The
growth has been fastened during the
past few months, by the addition of
pumping plant.
The company expects to allow the
trees to grow twenty years before they
are cut 1t is said the sugar gum will
defy the ravages of time, as expert
ments show that fence posts which
have been in the ground for fifteen
years show no signs of decay. Other
varieties of the eucalyptus, such as the
blue and red gum are being grown for
fence post and other needs of a great
railroad.
Will Be Trimmed Out.
This ranch comprises $500 acres.
When purchased by the company it
was rough and billy, but the ground
was cleared of greasewood, then ploW-
ed, narrowed and prepared for plant
ing. Three years ago the first trees
were set out. Since then the company
has planted 500 acres a year. The seed
lings are set eight feet apart in rows
five feet apart, by which arrangement
LOO trees can be grown to the acre.
Many of the trees will be thinned out
when about years old, as at that age
the tree so cut will yield three or four
good fence posts to the tree, and leave
the remaining trees more room for
further growth.
This process of thinning will be car
ried out until but 200 trees are left to
the acre which will mean several
thousands of ties when cut Ordinary
ties now are worth 81 apiece, and in
twenty years their value will be much
greater. Eucalyptus culture demon
strates that saplings will grow from
sured much quicker than the first. The
Santa Fe is considering setting apart
other tracts for forest reserves. and