The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1912-03-01
Preservative Treatment For
Fence Posts.

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treated posts has, fori is known that
the properly treated post will last
from two to four times as long as
the untreated one; second, there is
saving in the labor necessary to keek
up fences since they do not require
resetting SO often; and third, cheaper
species Of wood can be used for posts.
These are often more easily treated
and will last fully as long after treat
ment as the harder and more ex-
pensive species.
The methods of treatment are
simple and. compared with the
advantage gained, inexpensive.
METHODS OF TREATMENT.
Three methods of treatment are
in general use, known respectively
as the brush, dipping, and tank
methods.
The Brush Method. This is the
cheapest and also the least effective.
In using this as we'll as the dipping
method the posts should be dry. The
creosote should be applied with a
large paint brush or whitewash
brush. After the first coat has
dried in" second should be appli
ed, care being taken to fill all checks
and knots during each application.
The objection to this method is that
the quantity of creosoto absorbed by
the post is not sufficient to give it its
greatest usefulness. The cost OF
such treatment is from one to two
cents per post and will add from
two to five years to its life.
The Dipping Method. This is more
effective than the brush method and
is somewhat more expensive. In
applying this method tight barrels
or tanks are necessary in which suf-
ficient creosote is placed to immense
from one to two hours the butt end
, of the posts. This treatment like
the first should be made to cover
from four to six inches Of that part
of the post exposed at the surface of
the ground as we'll as the part below
the surface. This method more
completely fills the checks and knots.
, uses more of the presrvative, and
, will add from three to six years to
the life of the post. 1t is more
effective on soft. porous woods than
on hard close grain woods and costs
from two to four cents per post.
The Tank Method. This is the
most expensive but is by far the
!. most effective. At least one metal
tank is necessary under which fire
; may be built for the purpose of heat
: ing the cresote to about 212c Faren-
heit. If steam is available wooden
/ tank may be used. An additional
tank or barrel for cold cresote is al
so indispensable.
{ In applying this treatment the
creosote is placed in both tanks in
sufficient quantity to immerse the
posts as in the dipping process. The
contents of one tank is then heated
to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. The
posts are placed on end in this and
: allowed to remain until thoroughly
4 hot. This requires from thirty to
{ sixty minutes. The water in the
: lower end of the post is transformed
in to steam and much of it escapes
= driving the air out of the cells at the
;, same time. The hot creosotes per-
\ meates the wood to considerable
depth during this process. Then the
e post is taken out of the hot bath and
!. quickly plunged into the cold bath
f This condenses the steam and tends
;, to form vacuum in the cells and all
= spaces in the submerged part of the
= post. Atmospheric pressure at once
{ forces the creosote into these spaces
e producing a deep and very thorough
e Interrogation. After the posts are
It entirely cool they should be removed
$ and allowed to drain by standing
(. them in a trough where the exces
A creosote may be recovered. This pro
cess costs from five to eight cent
; ; per post and more than doubles tn
= life of the posts made from all tn
!. softer and more porous woods
It Posts from the common cottonwood
l. auaking asp, Lombardy poplar, balm
n of Giliad or white fir will, if treate,
e.. by this method, last as long as tn
Of best untreated hardwood post.
N The hardwoods do not absorb s
80 much creosote as the softer wood
of but are nevertheless much more re
,o sistant to decay after treatmen
than before.
Creosote can be purchased in GUAR