The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-08-02
ROADS USE MANY POLES.
Total Purchases Ia 1911 Amour, &c
34ls,0qo Sticks Of Timber.

Statistics II the number 81 wooden
poles purchased IN The United States ia
1871. Ia steam and clcctric railroads
ana elrctri, aehI and power compan-
les. ale presented in bulletin soon &"
be issued h> the bureau of the cen
suS. Iu lsll the total purchases Of
poles n thc United States amounted To
s.4ls.p-o sticks oC tmlsr of these
s4os...4 or eos per cent Mere pur-
chased by the telephone ana tclcgmph
companies. sSs.6ls. or % per cent by
the electric railroad and elevtric Light
and power companies, and ssS641. or
G. per cent by the steam railroads
The total number Of poles purchased
represents a decrease IL 452G54 as
compared with 1910 and 81 3e".'e0 as
compared with 1903
The preferred species OF wooden
poles have the general physical qualiii-
cations uf durability In the soil
streneth, ligh,ncss. straighIness, a
surface which Will take climbing irons
readily. and comparatively slight taper.
The various species 81 cedar combine
these qualities i'm high degree. Cedar
poles are cat principally from the
white, cedar of th,. Lake states, the red
cedar ~ the Northwest, and the south
,rn white cedar Of North Carolina,
Virginia and New Jersey. Chestnut is
ga, principally in the Atlantic and
coast states from Georgia Ia New
Hampshire Oak is cut Tor poles chiefly
IN the hardwood states Of the ohio and
Mississippi valleys. Most Of the pine
reported is that commonly known as
southern yellow pine, and includes sew
eral species OF these, the most dur
able i, the long-leaf pine. while the
lobluliy pine gives brief service. unless
10 is treated with a preseratiVe.
Western yellow pine also requires pre-
seryatiVe treatment.
The woods used for poles in the
United states are chiefly those that
are naturally durable in contact with
the soil. The life of timber under this
condition varies considerably, accord
ing 10 the species. TO difference in the
wood Of the same species, To the char
acter Of the soil and To climatic con-
ditions Cedar chestnut, cypress, juni-
per and redwood usually last from ten
To fifteen years while the white oak
has au average lie nt somewhat less
than ten Years.
The resistance Of the poles to decay
can be considerably increased by the
use of preservatives. Wood. preserVa-
ton is now on "A firm footing In the
United States, but the advantages
that this practice affords are by no
means fully utilized by pole consumers.
Personalities not only add from three
10 fifteen or more years TO the service
If the woods now commonly used for
poles. but also make it possible to use
cheaper woods. The durability of
woods which ordinarily last but a few
years can thus be increased To more
than double the normal life of cedar
The principal preservatives used for
treating poles are Creosote oil and
various proprietary preparations. The
cost Of treating poles varies accord
ing to the wood, the Kind of preserva
tives and quantity used. and the pro-
cess employed, but ii is only in rare
instances that the adoption of "A pole
treating policy is not economical. The
United states forest service has q
large number of poles treated by diff
ferent methods under record and sub
'ect to annual Inspection in order &c
determine the relative values of differ
ent personalities