IMPROVE- MENTS IN PROCESSES FOR PRESERVING AND COLOURING WOOD, DENOMINATED XYLOCHROMIC AND XYLOPLASTIC PROCESSES
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer & Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PROCESSES FOR PRESERVING AND COLOURING WOOD, DENOMINATED
XYLOCHROMIC AND XYLOPLASTIC PROCESSES."-A communication from abroad
by Messrs. Heinrich Sperl, Doctor Richard Hagen, and Wolfgang
Springer, of Nuremberg, Bavaria, representatives of the Xylochromic
and Xyloplastic Product Company of same Place.
Sealed the 29th July 1862, and dated the 3rd February 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Clark at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 3rd
February 1862.
I, WILLIAM CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer & Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROCESSES FOR PRESERVING AND COLOURING WOOD,
DENOMINATED XYLOCHROMIC AND XYLOPLASTIC PROCESSES," to be as follows:-
It is interesting to review the various processes hitherto employed in the
numerous experiments on the preservation of wood in its green state, which is
singular as compared to the paucity of results obtained, as also the processes
of coloring wood by means of chemical agents, and the vegetation thereby
arrested, the application of said chemical means being in operation at the
present time. Heretofore some of these processes have been applied with a
view to the preservation of the wood, and prove the possession of a knowledge
of principles which may be utilized for coloring it, which, however, have

page_text: stopped short, and thus afforded the opportunity, if not of the original
discovery, at least of the discovery of the practical application of the above
processes. Numerous experiments have been made according to the present
Invention at Nuremberg (Bavaria), which I will class under the following
heads, viz. a, mechanical preparatory methods for rendering billets and
blocks of wood suitable for physical or chemical treatment; b, the chemical
processes of injection for coloring the wood to the depth of tone required;
c, physical process for drying wet wood after the chemical injection.
With regard to the first 'head before mentioned (a), the method and
apparatus for preparing wood for chemical or physical treatment differ from
those of Boit, Boucherie, Fleury, Prionnet, and others, who simply inject
liquids into the interior of the pores of the wood, whereas I inject air by
means of a suitable pump into a reservoir at a pressure of from 1 to 2
atmospheres above the atmospheric pressure, allowing this air at the same
time to be heated to about 176 degrees (Fahrenheit). This air by means of
a suitable cock and tubes passes from the reservoir into air-tight receivers
which contain the liquid coloring matters to be injected. These recipients by
means of a suitable arrangment of tubes open into a cap, which is fitted air-
tight to the end of one of the sections of wood with the bark still on, for
example, by.compressing a ring of india-rubber or lead. On opening the
cocks the liquid injections being acted on by the compressed air traverse the
pores in the wood and force out the sap.
CHEMICAL PROCESS.
It is less the preservative & injecting matters than the preparation of the
pores of the wood to receive the former which has to be considered, which
pores run in the direction of the grain of the wood. Said pores contain
naturally resinous & albuminous matters, or inorganic salts and juices. The
incrusted matters give cohesion & solidity to the wood, but as they at length
decompose, the wood also becomes decayed, and the processes at present in
use for its preservation cousist in injecting sulphates, hydrogens, carbons, or
creosoted products which arrest the decomposition of said matters in the pores.
In order to act more directly on the solid fibres of the wood to eliminate more
easily decomposable matters, I make use of a process termed "hydro-
chlorotization of wood," which consists in treatingsaidwood withhydrochloric
acid, which produces two different effects; the 1st relates to cohesion, the
2nd opens
the pores or channels of the wood, and renders them suitable for
impregnation with the tinctural preservative matters. For this purpose I
inject into the wood for about 8 or 9 days a solution of dilute muriatic acid,

page_text: the density of which, and the time of immersion varying according to the
nature & age of the wood. After this treatment the muriatic acid is removed
by injection of clear water during three or four days.
As above mentioned, the effect produced by this injection of hydrochloric
acid is of two kinds, which may be classed as follows:-a, applications relative
to the coloring process; b, applications relative to softening the wood.
1st. Wood thus treated is especially applicable for the manufacture of
pencils, which may be easily cut, and are very solid, the essence of the wood
being preserved. For this purpose I employ cedar, beech, pear, apple, and
walnut woods for choice pencils. I prefer to use cedar of good quality, but
whatever wood is employed it may by the herein described processes acquire
the color & smell of cedar.
2ndly. These woods prepared by the above processes are excellent either
colored or uncolored for modelling in wood.
COMPRESSING WOOD TREATED BY THESE PROCESSES.
Wood thus treated by muriatic acid and then rinsed with water possesses
the novel quality of being capable of compression, as it may under pressure be
reduced to about eight-tenths of its original bulk. The fibres bind and unite
one to another without being broken. Examination with a microscope proves
that after being dried the fibres retain the configuration and pressure produced
by the mould in its every curve, which is a novel property the wood acquires
after treatment suitable for useful application. It is unnecessary to refer
further to the plasticity of the wood under these circumstances. It suffices to
state that one application of resin or glue on the compressed surface gives it
after pressure greater density, hardness, & solidity.
COLORING WOOD PREPARED ACCORDING TO THIS INVENTION.
The wood after being submitted to the injection of dilute hydrochloric acid
is then washed in water, when it presents the greatest facility for being
impregnated with solution of tinctorial or coloring matters. These coloring
matters may be injected in all kinds of wood by the reaction produced in the
interior, or by the application of mordants. I name the first "substantive
colors," and the latter, adjuncts. Although I prefer the employment of
substantive coloring matters, it is interesting to ascertain with the microscope
that these coloring matters are not simply applied on the surface of the pores
as a superficial deposit, but that they penetrate the interior, and combine, so
to speak with the vegetable matters in the pores. I also obtain injections of
red & violet colors by employing aniline; for blue, I use indigo; for yellow,

page_text: cuseuma; for brown, I use logwood; & for black, I employ oxides or salts of
iron injected in combination with tan, & thas imitate cedar, satin, ebony, and
all other European & foreign woods.
"TREATING WOOD WITH SOLUBLE SILICATES."
Wood treated by muriatic acid may be impregnated with soluble silicates,
& thus acquire, 1st, great solidity; 2ndly, protection against decay; & 3rdly,
become incombustible. In the latter application of soluble silicates care must
be taken to apply it several times, and allow it to dry each time, as if these
precautions are not taken, the upper layer becoming "dishydrated" would
prevent the under layers drying properly. These improved processes &
method of treatment may be applied to all kinds of wood.
PHYSICAL PROCESS.
In order to dry the wood I inject heated air into the pores at a temperature
of from 120° to 140 degrees, I thus obtain a perfect drying of all the parts,
and an equal shrinking throughout. I may also add that the fibres in the
interior of the wood may be partly colored, & others left uncolored, or the
fibres may be of different colors; for this purpose it is only necessary to form
the injecting cap with different channels, in order to apply the various color-
ing liquids.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd
August 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer and
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Third day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said William Clark, Her special licence that I, the said William
Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said William Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make use,

page_text: exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
PROCESSES FOR PRESERVING AND COLORING WOOD, DENOMINATED XYLOCHROMIC AND
XYLOPLASTIC PROCESSES," a communication from abroad by Messrs. Henrich
Sperl, Doctor Richard Hagen, and Wolfgang Springer, of Nuremberg,
Bavaria, representatives of the Xylochromic and Xyloplastic Product
Company of same Place, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said William Clark, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in
the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Clark, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
ARTIFICIAL CEDAR COLORING-HARDENING AND PRESERVING WOOD-INCOM-
BUSTIBLE AND COMPRESSIBLE WOOD-COLORED WOOD FOR PENCILS-
ARTIFICIAL CEDAR-COLORING AND RENDERING WOOD SUITABLE FOR
COMPRESSION.
Cedar is the only wood which has hitherto been employed for making
pencils, its quality rendering it indispensable for producing a good article.
The peculiarities of this wood are, that it may be easily cut in the direc-
tion of the grain, and leave a smooth uniform surface, while it may also
be readily polished. As the price of cedar is always very high, and as
there is great waste attending its use, which waste cannot be utilized for
any purpose, I have endeavoured for several years to replace it by German
wood, which is cheap and of good quality, and so afford an opportunity to
small pencil makers of increasing their business. After many experiments
I have succeeded in obtaining a perfect substitute for cedar, by the em-
ployment of birch, pear, lime, or alder woods, prepared in the following
manner These woods are cut up in short lengths, and macerated in
muriatic acid, (H CI), from about a week to a fortnight.
The muriatic or
hydrochloric acid easily penetrates into the cellular fibres of the wood, and
produces a uniform change in their nature. The acid may then be eliminated
by washing the woods with water. In this manner a remarkable change takes

page_text: place in the wood, which will be found to cut softly and smoothly, and also
takes a ready polish, thereby greatly differing from unprepared woods. Lastly,
woods thus prepared, especially poplar wood, may be compressed and
moulded to about half or three-fourths of its original bulk and retain the form
of the mould, and as such may be used with advantage for mouldings. When
manufacturing pencils, there still remains one difficulty to surmount, viz., that
of making the wood this prepared, which is of a greyish yellow tint of a
homogeneous color in imitation of cedar. For this purpose I proceed as
follows: -I take a mixture of one part in weight of logwood, part of Per-
numbuco wood, 1 part of Brazil wood, and 6 parts of cedar wood, which
I then place in an apparatus, and pour on it several times both hot water and
sulphate of alumina, which I pour backwards and forwards on the coloring
matters. In this manner I obtain a liquid, the color and odour of which
perfectly resemble cedar wood. I impregnate the woods with this solution by
boiling. Thus in order to obtain colored wood for pencils, I first heat the
above-mentioned woods with muriatic or hydrochloric acids, ( Hcl), in
order that they shall possess the necessary qualities of real cedar. I then com-
pletely eliminate the acid by washing, and lastly, impregnate them with a colored
liquid. I will now describe different methods of coloring woods in imitation
of those used in the manufacture of furniture, workboxes, and other like
purposes.
COLORING WOOD FOR FURNITURE AND OTHER PURPOSES.
(Introduction.) In order to give a uniform color to large blocks of wood,
they should be first impregnated with muriatic acid, which is allowed to act
upon the wood a sufficient length of time for giving it the softness necessary
to enable the color or colored liquid to easily penetrate it. When the block
has been thus impregnated, the acid is eliminated by washing in water.
This operation is effected before coloring the wood, by means of the coloring
substance. Veneers are in consequence of their quality generally preferred,
as far as regards simple colors, I will herein-after refer to primitive colors
and other tints for as the substantive colors may be used in solution in
.water or alcohol, they are preferred to others, 1st. Because they may be
used and applied in a single injecting operation. 2ndly. Because the
tinctorial solution may be readily composed and rendered homogeneous.
The tinctorial solution should be used in a boiling state in order to facilitate
the introduction of the coloring matter into the wood. The blocks of wood
are dried when colored, and the color fixed by placing them in a current of
heated air, at a pressure of about one atmosphere.

page_text: PROCESSES FOR OBTAINING PRIMITIVE COLORS AND OTHER SHADES.
Red Carmine. In order to prepare the carmine tint, I use a large apparatus
in which I place four parts by weight of Brazil wood, 2 parts of Pernambuco
wood, ou which I pour warm water and sulphate of alumina, and I agitate
the liquid until it runs off in a deep red color. The colored liquid is allowed
to rest for 6 or 8 hours, after which time the residue is separated by decan-
tation or filtration; after this operation has been effected, the colored liquid
is heated to boiling point in a boiler or clean copper, and in this state it
may be used for impregnating the blocks of wood before referred to.
Deep Red. In order to obtain a deep red colored liquid, I take one part
by weight of logwood; 2 parts of Pernambuco wood; two parts of Brazil
wood. On this mixture I pour a weak solution of sulphate of alumina at a
boiling heat, this solution is allowed to remain in contact with the mixture
for about 6 hours, after which the liquid is removed from the apparatus,
and allowed to settle, in order to separate the deposits or residues by decan-
tation; the liquid is then filtered through four thicknesses of cloth, and
lastly raised to boiling heat in a very clean copper boiler, and again filtered
in a boiling state, when it may be used for coloring wood.
Rose Color. This color may be obtained by using the carmine red above
described simply adding a sufficient quantity of distilled water.
I may
also produce this color by means of aniline or rɔseine in a more or less
concentrated solution, which is boiled, and in this state employed for
coloring wood.
Scarlet. I prepare a scarlet color by taking 8 parts of Pernambuco wood
with one part of sulphate of alumina and potash, which is digested with
distilled water until the matter is completly extracted. The coloring liquid
is allowed to rest for 6 or 8 hours, and is then passed through four thicknesses
of filtering material, and heated to boiling point in a copper boiler. In this
state the liquid is applied to the blocks of wood to be colored. After
allowing the wood to remain in the solution for several days, the wood is
impregnated with sulphate of alumina for producing a scarlet color; after
this is effected the blocks of wood are washed in distilled boiling water. I
may also obtain a very permanent scarlet with cochineal and tartar.
Deep Blue. In order to obtain a blue solution, I make use of the color
known in commerce as extract of indigo. I put some of this extract in a
boiler containing water in ebullition, and thus obtain a coloring solution.
If the indigo is of good quality and well made, there will be no deposit

page_text: when cooling. If the liquid is of a blue black tint, it should be left to cool,
and then decanted and filtered through four thicknesses of filtering material;
it is then rápidly heated to a boiling point in copper boilers, and in this
state, as before-mentioned, applied for coloring wood.
After several
injections of the blue color, as a finish the wood is impregnated with a
weak solution of chlorate sulphate of alumina.
Sky Blue. In order to obtain a sky blue color I take a solution of dark
blue prepared as above described, to which I add distilled boiling water, so
as to considerably dilute the solution. As this blue cannot be used alone,
I add aniline and ceruleum dissolved in distilled water and spirits of wine,
which is then boiled to produce the desired color.
Blue Green. To produce this color I use the solution before mentioned as
obtained from extract of indigo, and I then add, from time to time a solution
of alum with some grains of madder or of sulphate of soda until the desired
shade is obtained. I may also obtain a blue green by using aniline dissolved
in alcohol, and adding turmeric in sufficient quantity forproducingthedesired
The liquid is allowed to rest, and is then decanted and boiled for use.
Igneous Yellow.-This yellow or fire color is obtained by macerating
roots of turmeric in a mixture of spirits of wine and water. The liquid is
employed in the same manner as the preceding.
tint.
Sulphur Color. This yellow is obtained by boiling a weak solution of
chlorated sulphate of alumina in a copper boiler, and then adding a
certain quantity of "grana lycü;" the liquid is allowed to rest for about
half an hour and is then filtered; the liquid is then again placed in the
copper boilers, and boiled for about five minutes; I then add a little bicar-
bonate of soda, and again filter the liquid, which in this state may be
employed for coloring wood.
Orange. I produce this tint by adding to the igneous yellow prepared
as before described, one part of wood " gans rubi" cut up
in small pieces;
the mixture is allowed to remain until the desired tint appears,althougbit will
not appear perfect until the color has been applied to the wood, and it has
become completely dry; I may also obtain this yellow tint by solutions of
moderate strength of bichromate of lead and chlorate, with which theblocksof
wood are impregnated at the same time,andwhich producesareaction between
the two salts in the interior of the former for obtaining the color desired.
Green. In order to obtain this color, I use the extract of indigo, which
.I dissolve in "grana lycü," and boil the mixture as quickly as possible in a
very clean copper vessel, and I repeat this operation several times. The

page_text: scum formed by the boiling process consists of a greenish salt, which I
remove, and this is followed by a yellowish green scum; after this the
coloring liquid is filtered and employed as above for coloring wood.
Yellow Green. This tint is obtained by mixing a solution of indigo
with the yellow liquid, prepared as above described, until the desired shade
is obtained; this I ascertain by dipping small pieces of wood into the liquid
from time to time, and observing the tint. The coloring liquid is then_
ready for use, as before described.
Dark Violet.-I prepare a dark violet shade by mixing two parts of
logwood and part of Pernambuco wood, on which I pour a solution of
chlorated sulphate of alumina. When this mixture has been sufficiently
dissolved, I allow it to rest for a night in a closed vessel. After this the
mixture is again treated as before, and placed in an apparatus in which is
poured a strong boiling solution of sulphate of alumina in sufficient quantity
to change the liquid to a deep violet color when drawn off. The liquid is
then allowed to rest for about six hours, when it is boiled in the copper
vessel; and then used as before described.
Lilac. This shade is obtained by mixing part of logwood, 1 part of
Pernambuco wood, and part of Brazil wood, which is then treated in the
same manner as the preceding. The liquid should be used in a boiling
state.
Violet (tint between lilac and deep violet).-This violet shade is produced
by means of aniline violet, which is treated in the same way as for rose
aniline, the coloring liquid being boiled when used.
-
Olive Brown. I obtain an olive brown tint by making a decoction of
quercitro with which the wood is impregnated when the solution has
become completely absorbed, the same blocks are impregnated with a strong
solution of one part of sulphate of oxydized iron & two parts of alum, the
whole being dissolved in distilled water.
Dark Brown. In order to give wood a dark brown color I impregnate it
with a decoction of alder or catechu bark; I then add a double solution of
chromatogen and chlorite.
Silver Grey. I impregnate wood with a silver grey color by several appli-
cations of a weak solution of tannin, several days after which the wood is
submitted to the action of a weak solution of sulphate and oxide of iron.
Mouse Color-I obtain this shade by preparing a solution of logwood
mixed with sixty parts of water, which is then boiled, and the wood impreg-
nated therewith. Two days after this the wood is again impregnated with
a weak solution of double chlorate and protosulphate of chrome.

page_text: Drack. I prepare a weak solution of logwood and catechu, with which
1 impregnate the wood to be colored. After this first operation the wood
is again impregnated with a double solution of chlorate and protosulphate
of chrome, to which is added a small quantity of sulphuric acid; lastly, the
wood is washed with a very weak solution of logwood.
PRESERVATION OF WOOD-INCREASING ITS DURABILITY RENDERING WOOD
FIREPROOF.
Introduction. One great problem remains to be solved, viz., the pre-
servation of wood, which has lately become more pressing owing to the supply
being lessened every day, while the consumption increases. Thus it is
essential that continual search should be made for processes for the preser-
vation of wood. It is well known that the cellular tissues of vegetables are of
different principles, soluble and azoted, especially the sap, and a substance
termed myricine. Experiments have proved that these substances are easily
decomposed, and that the simultaneous action of heat, air, and water facilitates
this decomposition or fermentation. Azoted substances are found in all saps,
and by their fermentation are one of the principal causes of the deterioration
of wood. Further, these azoted substances serve for the nourishment of
insects which enter the wood, and soon injure it on account of their number.
The chemical products which coagulate these azoted substances are thus of
great use in the preservation of wood, as they not only coagulate the
matters, but also kill the insects contained therein,
PROCESS FOR THE PRESERVATION OF WOOD.
Use of Tannic Acid.-The use of tannic acid in the preparation of leather
furnishes such perfect results as to leave no doubt of the advantage of its
application for the preservation of wood. This acid also preserves wood
from deterioration when placed in water, especially oak, which itself contains
the principle of tannic acid. Lastly, tannic acid possesses the property of
expanding the cells of the wood, and imparting cohesion to the fibre. In
order to impregnate wood with tannic acid, it is first soaked in cold water
for removing the sap and azoted matters contained. After this operation
the wood is washed several times; lastly, with boiling water. After this
the wood is injected with hot and cold solutions of tannic acid, which is
continued until every cell in the wood is completely impregnated with the
solution. This may be ascertained by cutting one of the blocks, and so telling
whether a change has taken place in the cohesion of the fibres of the block.
Use of Sea Salt (Chloride of Sodium, nacl).-I preserve wood by means

page_text: PROCESS FOR HARDENING WOOD.
Use of Neuter Sulphate of Potash.-These woods ordinarily used in commerce
are preserved by injecting them with a solution of neuter sulphate of potash.
In order to harden these woods they are first impregnated and washed with
hot water, and then again impregnated with a boiling solution of the above
mentioned salt. This salt, which is of an anhydrous nature, is with difficulty
dissolved in water, while on the contrary, the hydrated salt dissolves with great
facility. I may also form a solution in the following manner, viz., 1 part in
weight of sulphate of potash and six of boiling water. By injecting a solu-
tion of alumina I may obtain precisely similar results.
Use of the Sulphate of Iron and Chloride of Sodiumor Marine Salt.-If the
wood is simply required to be hardened, I obtain a great advantage by the use
of sesqui-oxide or per-oxide of iron. Although the sulphate of iron is suffi-
ciently cheap, the price would increase too much for employing it in the
treatment of wood. However other salts of iron may be obtained at a cheaper
rate, as, for example, pyrolignite of iron, which will render equally good
service. In using this salt for the above purpose, the wood is first washed in
water and then impregnated with a solution of pyrolignite of iron, composed of
one part in weight of said pyrolignite and two parts of distilled water. Woods
thus treated acquires sufficient hardness, but are not incombustible; this
property they acquire by treating them with a solution of marine salt.
PROCESS FOR RENDERING HARD WOOD NON-INFLAMMABLE AND FOR
MINERALIZING THEM.
Use of Water Glass" aud Protoxide or Peroxide of Iron.--Waterglassin a
pure state presents all the necessary qualities suitable for injecting woods or
rendering them hard and solid, and may be employed, 1st, when it does not
contain impurities, such as, for example, alkaline carbonates, which would
impart hygroscopic qualities to the water glass. 2ndly, if it is not very soluble
in water,as if so it would be completely washed out of the wood when treating

page_text: the latter with water. For these reasons it is necessary to employ a second
substance for completely mineralizing the wood. The water glass is applicable
in all cases with a basic salt, as the latter forms with the silicate an insoluble
salt. I make use of the following process for mineralizing the wood:-I first
impregnate and wash it in boiling water, and then inject it several times with
a boiling solution of protoxide of iron; after this the wood is left for several
days, and then again impregnated several times with a weak solution of water
glass; lastly, the treatment of the wood is completed by again injecting it
with a solution of salt of iron; wood thus prepared when dried will be com-
pletely mineralized. It will be understood that by the necessary treatment of
the wood with salt of iron and silicate of potash a mutual decomposition of the
two salts is produced, which forms a silicate of iron insoluble in water, and
which consequently is suitable for completely preserving the wood against fire
and decay. Wood thus prepared does not take fire, as it becomes carbonized
in flame and only peels off without flaring, and moreover, the fire does not
spread on removing it from a fire. The wood has the further property of
being very hard and sonorous.
2°
Apparatus for Injecting or Hardening Woods.-After numerous experiments,
I have found that the best way to inject the wood is to surround the fresh cut
end of the block with a ring formed of a tube of india-rubber containing a
cord in the interior, as seen at Fig. 4 of the Drawing annexed; a block of
wood m, m, is placed on this ring, having a tube bat its centre.
Fig. 2
represents a cylinder suitable for obtaining a certain amount of pressure,
having a pressure guage and the usual safety valves. The block m is main-
tained and pressed up against the india-rubber ring by means of bars 1, 1,
crossed by iron rods s, s, terminating in hooks taking in the ring p, p, fixed to
the block by means of wedges. If the wood requires to be protected against
the influence of the injecting liquids the wood is covered with a suitable
varnish, according to the nature of the injection, for example, with a coat of
lac varnish, or by a solution of india-rubber, or lastly, by a very fine cloth.
In this manner the wood under treatment may be readily examined several
times during the operation, in order to remove any dirt which may form, and
prevent the liquid penetrating the block of wood. The system of injecting
railway sleepers of Boucherie's Invention presents certain disadvantages.
1st. Because by this system the wood requires to be sawn down the middle,
and has a cord placed in the slit instead of the india-rubber ring, which often
causes the wood to split at that part.
2ndly. The wood is not sufficiently enclosed by this arrangement, and the
liquid is spilled at the sides.

page_text: 3rdly. This arrangement is very difficult to overlook & keep clean.
Application of the Liquids.-Theliquids should penetrate the woodata certain
pressure calculated by the nature of the wood to be injected, a pressure of one
atmosphere, is sufficient in a majority of cases. The method of proceeding for
producing the necessary pressure may be the same as that employed for
impregnating railway sleepers by a column of liquid about 11 yards in height.
According to this Invention I use lead pipes for long distances, and india-
rubber pipes for shorter distances.
Manufacture of Veined Woods.-In order to obtain veined woods the coloring
liquid is introduced into the block of wood according to the length of the
fibres by forcing it into the end which has been newly cut. Woods may also
be veined of different colors, for which purposed the fresh cut end of the piece
of wood is coated with a varnish, a solution of india-rubber, or furnished with
large headed nails, the varnish or nails being removed from the parts on which
the colored veins are to be applied of a certain color, and the liquid injected
as before, except that it only enters the part from which the varnish or nails
has been removed, in this manner wood may have as many veins of different
colors as desired.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Clark, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirty-first day of July, in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
Witness,
W. G. E. SWINNOCK,
53, Chancery Lane, W.C.
W. CLARK. (L.S.)