OWE & ROWE 
 
 Consulting Engineers 
 
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THE AUTHOR. 
 
Hand Book of Timber 
 Preservation 
 
 Souvenir edition 
 
 Revised 
 
 
 By Samuel M. Rowe y C. E. 
 
 M. Am. Soc. C. E. and M. W. S. E. 
 Mem. A. R. E. & M. of W. Assn. 
 
 CHICAGO 
 
 PETTIBONE, SAWTELL & Co., PRINTERS 
 1904 
 
OENEKA, 
 
 f\] c 
 
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1904, BY SAMUEL M. BOWE. 
 
COPYRIGHT, 1908 
 COPYRIGHT, 1909 
 
 BY 
 SAMUEL M. ROWE 
 
 188390 
 
ROBERT DELOS ROWE (Deceased). 
 M. AM. Soc. C. E. 
 
 To whose labors and intelligent studies and investigations 
 
 much that is most valuable in this work is due, 
 
 this book is affectionately dedicated. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 "Since 1885, when the matter was first taken up 
 under the tutelage of the late Joseph P. Card, the 
 author has labored to perfect the methods and appli- 
 ances, studying each principle and all questions con- 
 nected with the operation of timber preserving in the 
 direction of convenience, economy and effectiveness. 
 Most of the matter contained is original, and this is 
 the first attempt made to furnish a complete practical 
 guide for the operator, containing full directions, that 
 has been made in this country. Those so far operating 
 works of this kind have relied upon training their 
 own operator and carefully refraining from letting 
 any but general items of information go out. 
 
 In a general way, the book is an epitome of the 
 experience and observations of the author, assisted 
 by Robert D. Rowe, recently deceased, giving results 
 of much lafc>or, study and time. 
 
 It is not pretended that the operator can take the 
 matter up from the book and proceed at once to run 
 the business, as there is too much that calls for a 
 trained and matured judgment; but the book will be 
 of much service as a handbook and guide during the 
 operation of the plant as well as to hints during the 
 construction. 
 
 The author is but too sensible of the imperfect 
 arrangement of the work and that much is yet to do 
 to make it complete, but trusts to be able to offer in 
 the near future an edition that will correct, to some 
 extent, the imperfections of this." 
 
The Souvenir Edition of the Handbook on Timber 
 Preservation issued in 1900 is now exhausted, and to 
 meet the ever increasing demand for information on 
 the practical side of this subject would seem to jus- 
 tify another edition. To meet this demand, the sec- 
 ond edition is published after being revised and 
 extended in its scope somewhat. 
 
 An effort is made to bring in the writing of other 
 experienced men, as well as to add many items of 
 experience and results of experiments that will aid 
 the student and operator in a fuller understanding of 
 the principles involved in the operation, the nature 
 of the chemicals used, and the character of the woods 
 treated. 
 
 The former work has been criticised, some of the 
 statements declared wrong and the conclusions erro- 
 neous. That there were mistakes and grounds for 
 criticism is not denied, and where they have been 
 pointed out the critic has the thanks of the author. 
 The author does not claim a high degree of erudi- 
 tion, but has tried to give the facts derived from 
 long practical experience in the business, in a 
 manner to be understood by any man of average 
 intelligence. 
 
 In all cases care has been taken to give proper 
 credit where matter has been copied from other 
 authors. Some of the other processes are noticed in 
 a brief way, giving such information as came into 
 reach in the publications of the promoters. Octave 
 Chanute, C. E., John D. Isaacs of the Southern Pacific 
 Railway, President E. P. Ripley and General Man- 
 ager Mudge, both of the A., T. & S. F. Ry., deserve 
 special mention as furnishing much information that 
 has aided in this compilation. 
 
PRESERVATION OF TIMBER. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 Section i. The primary purpose of this treatise is 
 to furnish and collate such information as to the 
 practical workings as shall enable the operator to 
 fully understand the philosophy and principles in- 
 volved, and to serve as a hand book of information, 
 both during the construction of the works and dur- 
 ing the operation of the same. 
 
 In the preservation of timber, the machinery to 
 be used, as well as the movements and methods 
 used in the operation of the process, are somewhat 
 complex; just as in the manufacture of steel, in the 
 process of making or refining sugar or of almost 
 anv line of mechanical business, so that to insure 
 proper results the operator must not only have a 
 thorough knowledge of the principles involved, but 
 must have a thorough training in the method of 
 handling the Dlant. 
 
 In the first pla^e, the works are expensive, the 
 amount of capital involved in the erection and 
 equipment is a very large amount; then the chemi- 
 cals are costly, hence any mistake in handling or 
 failure to do good work is an expensive mistake, in- 
 deed. 
 
 The appliances for the treatment of timber have 
 been brought to such a degree of efficiency that, if 
 properly handled, there is little chance of failure or 
 disappointment in the results. 
 
 VARIOUS PROCESSES USED. 
 
 Sec. 2. While, as generally conceded, the use of 
 dead oil product of coal tar, usually called creosote, 
 has shown in some cases high results, yet for sev- 
 
eral reasons reference to it will be but incidental, 
 and attention will be given almost exclusively to 
 that of the Burnett and to the Zinc-Tannin or Well- 
 house processes, in which the chloride of zinc is 
 the preservative agent. There are two reasons whv 
 the creosote process will be largely restricted in its 
 use. In the first place, the process is very expen- 
 sive, the oil being more and more costly from year 
 to year, and in the second place, there is the diffi- 
 culty and uncertainty of getting a suitable article. 
 Its much greater cost will necessarily restrict its 
 use to cases where the amount of timber is small 
 and the lasting quality of the timber paramount. 
 
 On the other hand, the zinc-tannin process, cost- 
 ing but a fraction of that of the former, has been 
 found only less effective, showing an economy that 
 is very marked, especially when applied to the treat- 
 ment of railroad cross-ties and bridge timber. It is 
 therefore the purpose to treat here of this matter 
 with reference to this line of work. 
 
 As the Wellhouse process is a modification of the 
 Burnett, the latter will be noticed only incidentally, 
 but the former, being the more complex, will be 
 treated of at length. 
 
 ZINC-TANNIN OR WELLHOUSE PROCESS. 
 METHODS AND RULES. 
 
 Sec. 3. The Zinc-Tannin or Wellhouse process 
 for treating and preserving railroad cross-ties, 
 bridge or other timbers against early decay, consists 
 in first subjecting the timber to the action of steam 
 in an air-tight, sealed retort for such length of time 
 as is found necessary to open the pores of the tim- 
 ber and loosen and expel the natural saps. This is 
 followed by a vacuum of from 18 to 26 inches, 
 thereby withdrawing all the vapors and freeing the 
 timber from condensations of steam introduced and 
 of the volatilized saps. 
 
 Sec. 4. This is followed by the introduction of 
 zinc-chloride in solution one and a half to three per 
 
I 
 
cent strong, as the character of the timber under 
 treatment shall require, the solution carrying at 
 the same time one-half of one per cent in weight of 
 dissolved glue. 
 
 This solution is held under pressure of 100 pounds 
 for a period of two and one-half hours to six hours, 
 depending, as before, on the character and condition 
 of the timber treated. 
 
 Sec. 5. The retort is then freed by forcing the 
 chloride solution back into its receptacle and in- 
 troducing a one-half of one per cent solution of 
 tannin and holding it under pressure, as with the 
 zinc and glue, for two hours or thereabout and then 
 withdrawing it, completing the operation. This 
 process is sometimes varied by introducing the glue 
 in a separate solution, in which case a separate tub 
 will be necessary for the glue solution. 
 
 Sec. 6. This process under consideration differs 
 from the Burnett only in the addition of the glue 
 followed by the tannin, the glue and the tannin com- 
 bining and forming a leathery and insoluble product 
 which helps to render the timber impervious to the 
 absorption and giving off of water, so orotecting 
 the chloride, which is supposed to be easily washed 
 out of the timber, thus losing its antiseptic effect. 
 
 Sec. 7. The wide range in time is necessary to 
 meet the difference in the character and condition of 
 the timber, and the proper and most economical 
 and effective practice can only be fixed by first 
 determining what absorption can be secured, and 
 thenceforward conforming to this. This can best 
 be done by varying the time or the strength of the 
 solution, or both. 
 
 Sec. 8. A very important requirement is that the 
 timber being treated shall have a reasonable 
 amount of seasoning, say sixty to ninety days, vary- 
 ing in length of time as climatic conditions shall 
 vary. 
 
 In a warm, dry climate, sixty days may be ample, 
 while in a moist, cold climate much more time will 
 be necessary to fit the timber for good results. 
 
Sec. 9. That a sufficient amount of antiseptic be 
 introduced, and its thorough dissemination through 
 the piece, is the essential point to be attained. 
 
 It is only by careful observation and study by an 
 experienced management that the best results can 
 be secured. 
 
 CAUTION. 
 
 Sec. 10. The process and methods here outlined 
 have been in practice many years with results that 
 place them beyond the sphere of experiment, hence 
 any departure from them with a view to improve 
 should be guarded against and deprecated by the 
 management. Any experiments in the direction of 
 improvement should be made by those competent to 
 direct and situated to carry out a long series of ex- 
 periments. Even this should be attempted with 
 caution and hesitation, as it takes long to get definite 
 results. 
 
 APPLIANCES. 
 
 Sec. n. The appliances used are much the same 
 as those for the Burnett or creosote processes, the 
 minor appliances for preparing the chemicals only 
 differing. In each and all the steaming is identical, 
 and the storing tanks and piping are interchange- 
 able from one process to the other. 
 
 First The steam plant for furnishing the neces- 
 sary steam to the retort, for^ driving the different 
 pumps and machinery, including a dynamo to fur- 
 nish light, and to steam coils for heating the 
 works. 
 
 The electric light is ouite essential, as the works 
 should run night and day. 
 
 Second The retort, sometimes called the cylin- 
 der, made of steel plate, and of such dimensions as 
 will receive the charge with its tram cars on which 
 the timber is loaded in such shape as to fill the cylin- 
 der as nearly as possible. The retort most con- 
 venient is usually about 106 feet in clear length, 
 capable of receiving thirteen tram cars with their 
 
loads of eight-feet ties, and of such diameter as is 
 deemed most suitable and convenient, generally 
 about six feet. It contains tracks on which the 
 tram cars run, the gauge of which is the same as 
 that of the tram-yard tracks, by means of which 
 the charge is run in and out. 
 
 The retort is provided with a strong door, self- 
 sealing, or may be hand-bolted as may be desired, 
 fitting tightly to resist pressure and to prevent leak- 
 age and waste. 
 
 THE "SPIDER" DOOR. 
 
 The retort door, as shown in Fig. 4, is old as to its 
 general form, but has lately been improved in its 
 details so that it proves economical even at an in- 
 creased cost. The door with its hinge arms is 
 cast in one piece, from cast steel with a large reduc- 
 tion of thickness over that of a cast iron door. It 
 is faced in the lathe and fitted with stud screw 4 
 inches in diameter; the hub is fitted with a bronze 
 bushing working closely on the buttressed thread 
 of the screw, and the friction plates, made of the 
 finest tool steel, have two circles of steel balls, 
 which almost entirelv eliminates friction, enabling it 
 to close quickly and with the least amount of labor. 
 
 Ordinarily only one door is necessary, aside from 
 avoiding the expense of a second door, complications 
 in the appliances and the operation of charging the 
 retort, no special advantage is derived from such 
 an arrangement, as the confining of operation to the 
 one point is believed to be the most economical. 
 
 The weight of the cast steel spider door is about 
 6.500 Ibs. 
 
 WEIGHT OF CASTING FOR CAST STEEL 
 DOOR, FOR RETORT. 
 
 Dia. ;8^"-2^" thick. ^ 14,486 cu. in. 
 Extra at hub, 810 cu. in. 
 
 15,296 cu. in. 
 
 1,728" 
 
12 
 
equal 8.852 cu. ft. X 490 Ibs. equal 4,337.5 Ibs. cast 
 steel say 4,400 Ibs. exclusive of hub and fixtures. 
 Hingearms 200 
 
 4,600 
 
 For hub, add 700 Ibs. 
 
 Other fittings, 500 Ibs., and stud screw, 750 Ibs., 
 making a total of 6,300 Ibs. say, 6,500 Ibs. 
 
 Third The vacuum pump, used to free the retort 
 from air and vapors remaining after the steam has 
 been released from it, to encourage the outflow of 
 natural saps of the timber and to prepare it for the 
 ready absorption of the solution by freeing it from 
 hot vapors and expanding the small amount of va- 
 pors remaining. In connection with the vacuum 
 pump, and a very important adjunct, is the surface 
 condenser and the hot-well, by which the vapors 
 are condensed before reaching the vacuum pump, 
 relieving it of a large part of its labors. 
 
 Fourth The air compressor, by which the solu- 
 tion used is forced back into its receptacle quickly, 
 by pumping air into the retort, as well as for other 
 purposes where compressed air is desired. 
 
 Fifth The force pump, by which pressure is pro- 
 duced upon the charge in the retort, a boiler-feed 
 pump, a pump for handling water for the various 
 purposes about the plant and for fire security. 
 
 Sixth Large tanks or receptacles for the various 
 solutions, consisting of a tank for the prepared 
 chloride solution, a tank for the tannin solution and 
 a tank for water storage, each of which should be of 
 such dimensions as will amply meet the require- 
 ments of the plant. 
 
 Standard railway tanks will do for a small plant, 
 say for two retorts, but for a larger plant a tank 30 
 feet in diameter and 20 feet deep, holding some- 
 thing like 100,000 gallons, is about what is most 
 suitable. These may be of wood, iron bound except 
 for creosote, which should be steel throughout. 
 
 Seventh The vats for the preparation of the 
 chloride should be of wood, lead lined, the one for 
 
 14 
 

 
 E 
 
dissolving ten feet square and two and a half feei 
 deep, and the storage vat for concentrated solution, 
 say eight by twelve feet and three and one-half feet 
 deep. The concentrated chloride, as well as the 
 acid used in its manufacture, are both destructive 
 to iron or even steel, hence a lining of half-inch lead 
 is interposed on which the acids will not act, % hence 
 will last for years. A small mixing tub for dissolv- 
 ing glue, say about eight feet in diameter and four 
 feet deep, in which it is soaked and dissolved, and 
 to some extent diluted preparatory to mixing with 
 the chloride solution, is usually used. The tannin 
 requires a similar tub, in which four or five barrels 
 of the bark extract can be emptied, diluted and used. 
 
 To each of these mixing vats or tubs is provided 
 an ejector, by means of which the contents can be 
 forced up into the proper receptacle as needed. The 
 pipes and valves, through which the concentrated 
 solution is passed, must be of chemically pure lead, 
 as the lining is. 
 
 Eighth The system of iron piping to carry 
 through all the different movements is too exten- 
 sive and complicated to be described, except in a 
 general way, as almost every case calls for some 
 modification on account of special conditions. 
 They can be divided and described in the following 
 order : 
 
 (a) The solution pipes consist of a system of 
 large iron pipes connecting the solution tubs with 
 the retort by which the movement is quickly made, 
 the full control of which is in the hands of the 
 operator by means of a system of valves. 
 
 (b) The air and vacuum pipes are a system of 
 piping through which connection between the retort 
 and the vacuum pump and the air compressor is 
 made, by which vacuum is drawn and by which 
 air is forced into the retort in forcing back the solu- 
 tion to its receptacle, and also by which the steam or 
 the air is released from the retort. 
 
 (c) The circulating system is a system of minor 
 pipes, including a force pump by which a plentiful 
 
 
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18 
 

 
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 _ \ 4 P- I 
 
 20 
 
stream of cold water is forced through the surface 
 condenser during production of vacuum, by means 
 of which the steam and vapors from the retort are 
 condensed and cooled before reaching the vacuum 
 pump. 
 
 (d) The blow-back system is a set of pipes of 
 minor size by which the last remnant of solution is 
 forced back into its proper receptacle by means of 
 the air compressor continuing its service after the 
 solution valves are closed. 
 
 (e) The puddler consists of a system of small 
 pipes connecting between the compressor and the 
 solution tubs, the chloride dissolving vat, the chlo- 
 ride storage vat and the glue and tannin mixing 
 tubs, by which they may be agitated by a stream of 
 air from the compressor. 
 
 This is quite important, as it keeps the ^ chemicals 
 in the solution in suspension and aids in rapidly 
 dissolving those in the mixing or dissolving vats. 
 
 (f) Steam coils and heating pipes. These con- 
 sist of steam coils in each of the solution tubs by 
 which the desired temperature is secured to each 
 solution; also such radiators as may be necessary to 
 heat the building, all having steam direct from the 
 steam boilers and discharging all condensations by 
 means of a steam trap to the boiler-feed tank or to 
 any desired hot- water reservoir. 
 
 (g) Steam pipes. The steam pipes from the 
 boilers by which steam is furnished to each of the 
 pumps, engines, etc., need not be further noticed 
 here except to say that they should be of ample size 
 and should lead as direct as possible to each ma- 
 chine, and should be well protected against radia- 
 tion. This should be especially and effectually done 
 with the line conveying steam to the stationary 
 power by which charges are handled, which are lo- 
 cated at considerable distance from the boilers. 
 
 (h) Suction and discharge pipes of the various 
 pumps need here only be mentioned, 
 (i) Service and security against fire. 
 In large plants, a large force pump connecting 
 
 21 
 
FIG. 
 
 In a case where water is scarce and expensive a cooling 
 tower is used (Fig. 9J4) in connection with the circulating 
 system by which the cooling water after passing through the 
 condenser is forced to the top of the tower and then released 
 and allowed to drip back into the tank from which it is 
 drawn. Thus it can be used over and over, little being lost. 
 
 22 
 
with an ample supply of water in case of fire, break- 
 ing out, the discharge of which, with its pipes, to 
 the various parts of the works, and sufficient number 
 of hydrants and ample supply of hose, is a very im- 
 portant adjunct. It may be made to do general 
 pumping service, at the same time being always 
 ready for a fire. 
 
 (j) Automatic drain from the retort. This is 
 an arrangement of pipes connecting the drain well 
 of the retort to the sewer by which all condensa- 
 tions during the operation of steaming shall be car- 
 ried to the sewer, thereby keeping the retort as free 
 as possible from water. 
 
 It may be arranged to operate automatically by 
 means of a steam trap, or it may be operated by the 
 operator by means of a valve in case the steam trap 
 fails to operate. 
 
 All of these systems must be planned and plainly 
 delineated to work together harmoniously, nowhere 
 interfering with each other, and each constructed 
 so as to do its work properly, and the outlines and 
 dimensions put on paper so that the shop men can 
 make every piece and put it in its place. 
 
 Ninth The power required for charging and dis- 
 charging the retort, and for moving the tram cars 
 in the yard is furnished by a stationary engine. 
 By means of a drum and cables supplemented by 
 fixed snatch pulleys in different positions, the op- 
 eration can be carried several hundred feet each 
 way. Two and sometimes more of these shifting 
 engines are required in a large plant. 
 
 Tenth Tram-yard tracks. This consists of a sys- 
 tem of tram tracks conforming in gauge to the 
 tracks in the retort and extending with switches, 
 cross-overs, etc., such as the dimensions of the works 
 shall require, by which timber is brought from a 
 standard railroad yard or from storage piles and 
 conveyed to and from the retort, and again dis- 
 charged into piles or loaded on cars for reshipment. 
 While the gauge of these tracks must be the same 
 as that in the retort, yet heavier rails may be used, 
 and 48 to 56 old rails can be utilized. 
 
 23 
 

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 FlG. 11 HEATING COILS FOB CREOSOTE, CHLORIDE AND TANNIN TAN] 
 
 25 
 
Eleventh Loading and unloading platform. 
 
 As the amount of material to be handled is great, 
 and the timber is very heavy and unwieldy, every 
 care must be taken to reduce this labor to a mini- 
 mum. The elevated platform, conforming to the 
 height of the floor of a car, has been found a very 
 great help, the charge from the retort being run 
 up an incline on to it and there unloaded into cars 
 for outshipment. 
 
 Twelfth Steam derrick. Where timber and pil- 
 ing are treated in connection with cross-ties, and 
 the quantity justifies, a traveling steam derrick is 
 very useful, especially with long piles and timber. 
 
 Where gondola cars are to be had for outgoing 
 ties, the tram loads can be placed in them bodily. 
 
 Thirteenth Tram cars or buggies, on which the 
 timber is designed to be treated, or loaded, are com- 
 pactly and strongly built, weight from 800 to 1,000 
 pounds each, and are provided with two curved 
 arms on each side, conforming to section of the re- 
 tort, and have a capacity of from 30 to 45 standard 
 cross-ties, as they may be hewn or sawed. With 
 length of tie eight feet, 12 to 14 cars make a charge, 
 depending on length of the retort. 
 
 For long timber and piling a car of much the 
 same dimensions, but provided with a strong bolster 
 turning freely on the center of the tram, instead of 
 the two pairs of arms, is used. The timber or pile 
 is loaded on two cars and, by means of the bolster, 
 the car can turn curves freely in the yard where 
 curves are unavoidable in works of any extern 
 
 Fourteenth Scales for weighing timber. 
 
 As the amount of absorption of the chemicals m 
 solution by the timber is of the first importance, any 
 means necessary to determine this accurately should 
 be emnloyed. The indicator measurements is the 
 one of main reliance in determining this, and to 
 check this a four-ton platform scale, set in the tram 
 track at a convenient point for weighing, is perhaps 
 the best means to be devised. On this a tram load 
 or a single piece can be weighed, first before treat- 
 
 26 
 
bits 
 
 5 . 
 5 
 
 is \ 
 
 A 
 
ing and ai?ain after, whereby knowing the weight 
 and strength of the solution, the amount of the 
 chemical absorbed, can be determined accurately. 
 
 Fifteenth Buildings. 
 
 Where a plant is to be operated continuously day 
 and night, and in all climates and kinds of weather, 
 the buildings must necessarily cover and protect the 
 machinery and appliances effectually. Ordinarily, 
 wooden buildings or wood covered with corrugated 
 iron on sides and tar paper, tar and gravel for roof, 
 are found best adapted to the purpose. These can 
 be made to effectually shelter the works, are cheap, 
 and as the plant and its operation are not always 
 permanent, this form of building is best adapted to 
 easy removal, with little loss, if the necessity comes. 
 The buildings particularly required are: 
 
 (a) The building covering the retorts. 
 
 (b) The machinery room, containing all pumps, 
 valves and machinery, with the exception of the 
 shifting engines in the yard. The machinery must 
 be compactly arranged so as to be under the eye 
 and hand of the operator. 
 
 (c) The boiler room containing the boilers, feed 
 pumps, etc. 
 
 (d) The chloride vat room. 
 
 (e) The storerooms for storage of chemicals. 
 
 (f) Blacksmith shop and repairing room. 
 
 (g) Office. 
 
 (h) Housing for shifting engines. 
 
 Sixteenth Lighting. 
 
 A small electric plant is almost indispensable. It 
 may consist of a small steam engine operated by 
 steam from the boilers and a dynamo good for ten 
 arc lights of 1600 c. p. or its equivalent, furnishing 
 four or five lights outside and any desired number 
 of incandescent lights inside. 
 
 A PORTABLE PLANT. 
 
 A portable plant for timber treating in some cases 
 will be found both convenient and economical. 
 The retort is one of a pair built for the Union 
 
 30 
 
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 \ 
 
 
 
 M 
 
 H 
 
 O 
 S 
 
 81 
 
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Pacific Railway under a patent taken out by W. 
 G. Curtis and John D. Isaacs of the Southern 
 Pacific Railway Co. The case it is intended to meet 
 is where the timber supply is widely dispersed and 
 no considerable supply convenient to any one point 
 on the line. The cost of treating is no greater than 
 at a stationary plant of the same size and the cost 
 of removing from one place to another is estimated 
 at not over one-third of that of the removing of a 
 stationary plant of like dimensions. This is found 
 to be about one-fourth to one-third cent per tie, 
 exclusive of the removal of the platforms, which are 
 left in place to be again used at some future time. 
 The retorts are mounted on trucks similar to those 
 of a strong freight car and the tanks for the oil 
 or solution, the necessary pumps, and the steam 
 boilers are all mounted on standard freight flat cars, 
 and all is shifted by the disconnection of a few 
 connecting pipes. When it is desired to creosote, 
 the retorts are supplied with the necessary heating 
 coils. 
 
 Three portable plants are now in use on the South- 
 ern Pacific Railway, the Union Pacific, the O. R. 
 & N. and on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railway. 
 
 RULES OF OPERATION. 
 
 GENERAL. 
 THE STAMPING HAMMER. 
 
 Sec. 12. To enable the track department to keep 
 any record of time treated ties are laid and of their 
 removal. The hammer here shown is about the di- 
 mension of a small spiking hammer and has a figure 
 cut in relief on one face. A smart blow on the end 
 of each tie impresses a figure deep enough to re- 
 main indelibly as long as the end of the tie remains. 
 The cost of the hammer is trifling, as the stamping 
 can be done in connection with the counting. It is 
 best done as soon as the tram car is loaded prepara- 
 tory to putting in the charge. 
 
 34 
 
THE DATING NAIL. 
 
 The Dating nails here shown, suggested by Oc- 
 tave Chanute, C. E., are intended to be driven into 
 the tie after it has been placed in the track. The 
 best place seems to be on the line side of the track, 
 say 12 inches from the line of the rail. The cost of 
 the nail is approximately 2-10 cent each. 
 
 The main purpose of the nail does not preclude the 
 use of the stamping hammer before introducing for 
 treatment, which is considered as well worth doing 
 even if dating nails are to be used. 
 
 In operations where the plant consists of one, two 
 or three retorts, it is usual to start the charges about 
 an hour apart, so that the use of compressor and 
 vacuum pump will not interfere and can be applied 
 to each retort in turn; thus all three retorts can 
 be operated by the one machine. If the nlant has 
 more than three retorts, say four or six, then a 
 second compressor and vacuum pump will be re- 
 quired, and the retorts can and should be run in 
 pairs. 
 
 Each retort requires its own force or oressure 
 pump and its separate system of piping for solution, 
 steam and air, so arranged as to serve each retort in 
 its turn. 
 
 The details of operation, more specifically given, 
 are divided about as follows: 
 
 (a) Preparing the charge and manner of loading 
 the timber. 
 
 As it is essential that the steam and the solution, 
 each in its turn, shall have free access to all sides 
 of the timber (each piece), a space must be left or 
 reserved for this, especially for sawed stuff, other- 
 wise the operation will be greatly impeded or en- 
 tirely defeated. 
 
 A compactly loaded mass of timber will act much 
 as if it were still unsawed. This has been exempli- 
 fied in the nine-foot retort, where, even with quarter- 
 inch iron strips between, the steaming requires from 
 three to four times as long a time as that required 
 where the pieces are properly separated, and the 
 
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 37 
 
OATJN6 A/A/L FOR 77>S. 
 
 FULL S i 'Z . 
 
 X X 
 
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 I 
 
 FlG. 20 DATING NA1I,. 
 
same is true as to pressure on solution. A one-inch 
 strip, or an ordinary barrel stave, will do with 
 sawed ties. Hewn ties do not need this. 
 
 In loading, the ties should be arranged to con- 
 form to the loading gauge, so that there will be no 
 interference in charging, and there firmly chained, 
 care being taken to have the load even at the ends 
 so as to allow the inspector easy access for counting 
 and stamping. 
 
 The stamping die should be a hammer about the 
 weight of a small railroad spike maul, weighing 
 three and a half to four pounds, with handle similar 
 and with the die full faced and deeply cut (three- 
 eighth inch), vertical and not tapering, securing an 
 impression deep enough to last as long as the timber 
 itself. 
 
 The loaded cars are then assembled to make the 
 proper charge, and are then, by means of the shift- 
 ing engine, cables and pulleys, drawn into the re- 
 tort, the doors closed and sealed, when all is ready 
 for: 
 
 (b) Steaming. 
 
 The steam is introduced into the retort, preferably 
 at each end and nearly at the bottom. Meanwhile 
 the blow-off at the top of the retort is kept open to 
 allow the air to escape until the retort is full of 
 steam. When the retort is entirely filled, the blow- 
 off is closed and the steam is accumulated until it 
 has reached a pressure of twenty pounds per square 
 inch and there held throughout the entire remaining 
 time required four to six hours. This pressure is 
 fixed as the maximum, as the temperature of the 
 steam is then at near 250 degrees Fah., about all 
 that the timber will bear without scorching and in- 
 jury to its fiber. Frequently during the steaming, 
 the condensations should be drawn off from the 
 retort, by means of the automatic blow-off, to the 
 sewer, accelerating the dryness of the steam and 
 reducing condensation, and securing greater dryness 
 in the timber after the vacuum is drawn. The steam 
 is then blown off, being discharged into the air. 
 

SUPERHEATED STEAM IN CONNECTION 
 WITH TIMBER TREATMENT. 
 
 There can be no doubt as to the utility and econ- 
 omy in the use of superheated steam for heating 
 the solution or oils used where the steam is used 
 in coils, as it expedites the process and saves in fuel. 
 It is, however, very questionable whether super- 
 heated steam can safely be used where it comes in 
 direct contact with the timber, as during the period 
 of steaming, as,* the temperature is more difficult 
 to control, endangering the timber fibre as is not 
 possible with saturated steam at the prescribed pres- 
 sure of twenty pounds. It has been observed, where 
 it is so used, that the timber is often burned. 
 
 TEMPERATURE IN THE VARIOUS SOLU- 
 TIONS. 
 
 (Thermometers.) 
 
 It is generally conceded that the temperature at 
 which the various solutions are applied is important 
 in that a quite high temperature conduces to more 
 prompt chemical action and perfect combination. To 
 more perfectly control this, the Fahrenheit thermom- 
 eter is applied both to the retorts and to the solu- 
 tion reservoirs or tanks. 
 
 The drawing herewith shows the usual method of 
 attaching the thermometer to the retorts. There is 
 no way by which more perfect connection can be 
 made with the contents of the retort and the indi- 
 cated temperature will be somewhat below the actual 
 mean of the reservoirs until after long exposure. 
 The most important function is to measure the tem- 
 perature of solution or oils as with the steam pres- 
 sure gauge will give the heat of the steam suffi- 
 ciently close. A few observations will give the cor- 
 rection to be added, approximately at least. In any 
 case the approximate will be a fair guide in ab- 
 sence of any means of obtaining exact readings. 
 
 (c) The vacuum. 
 
 When the steam is fully blown off the retort 
 
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should be allowed to cool for a little time, the cir- 
 culating water should be started through the surface 
 condenser and allowed to flow, insuring the greatest 
 degree of cold surface to the hot vapors from the 
 retort before the vacuum pump is started, thus pre- 
 venting these hot vapors from injuring the valves of 
 the pump. 
 
 In a one or two retort plant, one of the force 
 pumps can be utilized for pumping the circulating 
 water; but in a large plant, either the service and 
 fire pump will answer, or a special pump will be 
 necessary. 
 
 Thus having cooled the condenser, the vacuum is; 
 drawn, raising it as fast as is practicable to 20 at: 
 26 inches, and there holding it for half an hour 01* 
 more, if desired. If the hot- well catching the con- 
 densation fills so that the contents are thrown off 
 through the vacuum pump, and it is desired to 
 measure it, resort must be had to an auxiliary res- 
 ervoir, so arranged as to receive the surplus when 
 necessary. The practicability of measuring these 
 condensations with a view to determine the amount 
 of sap extracted from the timber, is a matter of 
 doubt, and will be noticed further on. 
 
 A marked advantage has been secured in treating 
 obdurate timber (dense, wet or green), by interpos- 
 ing a vacuum at an intermediate time during the 
 steaming, blowing off the latter, drawing a vacuum 
 and again introducing the steam while the vacuum 
 is still held. This idea is worth investigating when 
 opportunity offers. 
 
 (d) Introducing the chloride solution. 
 
 The vacuum having been on for sufficient time, it 
 is still held, and the valve in the solution pipe is 
 opened and the solution allowed to flow in, which 
 it does very rapidly by the help of the vacuum, until 
 the retort is entirely filled, the air pipe being opened 
 to allow the escape of the remaining air in the re- 
 tort and then closed. 
 
 The solution should be heated from 80 to 100 de- 
 grees Fah. before introduced, as it is found that the 
 
 44 
 
45 
 
chloride is held best in suspension at about that 
 temperature. 
 
 When the retort is filled and the air pipe closed, 
 the force or pressure pump is at once started and the 
 pressure raised to 100 pounds per square inch, which 
 should be done in a very short time, and there held 
 for such time as shall be judged best to meet the 
 nature of the timber. 
 
 A measuring vat, in which the estimated quantity 
 of solution that the charge should receive is held, 
 is recommended by some as a good thing, as, by 
 attaching the suction of the pressure pump to the 
 vat and running it until the vat is exhausted, the 
 timber will have absorbed the proper amount of the 
 solution. 
 
 Careful reading of the indicator about the time 
 the pressure from the pump begins, and then again 
 at times during which pressure remains, will give a 
 very close measurement of the amount absorbed 
 during that time, but of course there is no means 
 of determining how much was absorbed before 
 pressure was secured. The indicator reading before 
 introducing and again after forcing back, gives the 
 most accurate measurement possible, except, per- 
 haps, the weighing before and after. 
 
 (e) Returning the chloride solution to its re- 
 ceptacle is the next move, and is accomplished by 
 means of the air compressor by which air is forced 
 into the retort. When it is auite cleared the valve 
 in the main solution pipe is closed, and the blow- 
 back is used to clear the retort of the last remnant 
 of solution, which is carried to its proper tub by an 
 overhead pipe. 
 
 (f) Introduction of the tannin solution. 
 
 As soon as the chloride solution has been cleared 
 from the retort, the tannin solution is introduced, 
 put under pressure and so held for the desired pe- 
 riod, and forced back to its receptacle in every re- 
 spect as with the chloride, except that the time held 
 under the pressure of 100 pounds need not be so 
 long, as the action of the tannin is quite superficial. 
 
 47 
 
Tilliotr Wliiva Chtrt. 
 
 
 
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 ^as^: 
 
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 ::::::::fc~: 
 
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 FIG. 27 ORIGINAL DIAGRAM OF RUNS (LAS VEGAS, 1885). 
 48 
 
This completes the operation. The doors being 
 opened, the charge is removed from the retort. 
 The next charge being prepared is run in, th^ doors 
 are closed, and the whole program is repeated. A 
 charge takes from 10 to 12 hours. 
 
 RULES FOR MIXING CHEMICALS. 
 ZINC-TANNIN OR WELLHOUSE PROCESS. 
 
 CHEMICALS USED. 
 Chloride of Zinc. (Zncl 2 .) 
 
 Sec. 13. The principal antiseptic agent used in 
 this process is the chloride of zinc. The chloride 
 can be made on the ground by the combination of 
 hydrochloric acid (muriatic) with common metallic 
 zinc, or the commercial product in the form of a 
 salt furnished in large drums or rolls protected by 
 a covering of thin sheet iron. There is but little 
 difference in the cost, the difference being in favor 
 of the commercial article. 
 
 Empirically, the hydrochloric acid (Hcl 2 ) and 
 the zinc spelter (Zn) combines about as follows : 
 350 Ibs., 18 per cent acid to 100 Ibs. of the spelter 
 will produce 409 Ibs. of 45 per cent Zncla, equal to 
 about 185 Ibs. pure chloride of zinc. 
 
 With acid at i 1 /? cents and zinc at 56-10 cents 
 would be 5 87-100 cents per ib. pure chloride of zinc. 
 The fused chloride, 98 per cent pure, is now sold for 
 four cents, so that at the above price for the acid 
 and the spelter it is better to use the fused chloride, 
 at considerable saving in freight as well as in the 
 convenience in its use. 
 
 (c) The commercial chloride being most readily 
 obtained and more convenient to use, is being gen- 
 erally used, hence, in the rules here given, the com- 
 mercial chloride will be understood. 
 
 (d) The impurities in the salt should not exceed 
 three per cent in weight, and are, with one excep- 
 tion, quite harmless, except as an impurity. The 
 presence of a small amount of iron, however, say 
 one-half of one per cent, should condemn it, as the 
 
iron neutralizes the chloride and at the same time 
 is said to injure the wood fiber. 
 
 (e) The commercial salt will often have a small 
 amount of free, uncombined acid, which is de- 
 structive to wood fiber if present in any great 
 amount, hence the dissolving as well as the storage 
 vat should contain a liberal allowance of the zinc 
 blocks to take it up, and the time allowed for its 
 action should be as extended as possible. 
 
 (f) A graphic table of weight and specific grav- 
 ity of chloride of zinc is here given, which gives 
 the data on which the table for quantities, in Table 
 "B," is computed. While it is not claimed to be 
 exact, yet it gives a sufficiently close approximation 
 and serves the purpose. It is the summing up of 
 numerous trials. 
 
 PREPARATION OF CHEMICALS FOR USE. 
 
 Sec. 14. The chloride of zinc. 
 
 (a) Dissolving: The fused chloride (commer- 
 cial) should be dissolved into stock solution, a con- 
 centrated solution from 35 to 50 per cent strong, 
 some little time before used, say 24 hours if prac- 
 ticable, so that it shall be thoroughly dissolved, and 
 that any free acid it may contain will have time to 
 be taken up by the spelter (zinc) kept in the dis- 
 solving vat for that purpose. 
 
 The drums or rolls of fused chloride should then 
 be divested of the iron covering, weighed, and if 
 the works are provided with a trolley carrier, be 
 placed bodily in the dissolving vat, or in absence 
 of the trolley, they should be broken into smaller 
 fragments and dropped from planks placed over 
 the vat, which should have been previously partially 
 filled with water. In placing the pieces in the vat, 
 care must be taken that the lead lining of the vat 
 be not injured. 
 
 (b) The following will guide as to the amount 
 of the salt to be weighed in, and as to the amount 
 of water for dissolving. First fill vat about half 
 
52 
 
full, and then add the chloride and fill with water 
 to the height indicated : 
 
 For 35 per cent stock solution 
 
 6,296 pounds salt, and fill to 2.2 vertical feet. 
 For 40 per cent 
 
 7,865 pounds salt, and fill to 2.3 vertical feet. 
 For 45 per cent 
 
 9,285 pounds salt, and fill to 2.3 vertical feet. 
 For 50 per cent 
 
 10,860 pounds salt, and fill to 2.3 vertical feet. 
 
 (c) This comoutation is based upon a mixing 
 vat ten feet square and two and one-half feet deep, 
 and, being lead lined with half-inch sheet lead, has 
 approximately an area of 99.4 square feet. 
 
 The above is a fair guide, remembering that the 
 exact amount of the salt or the resulting strength 
 of solution is not essential, as any intermediate 
 strength can be used by the same means of com- 
 putation. 
 
 A solution of from 40 to 50 per cent is about the 
 most convenient. 
 
 (d) When this stock solution is well neutralized 
 and dissolved, it is drawn off into the storage vat, 
 a lead-lined vat the same as the mixing vat, except 
 in dimensions. This vat is provided with a steam 
 ejector by which the concentrated stock solution is 
 forced into the solution tub or tank through a dis- 
 charge pipe passing over the top and there dis- 
 charging. 
 
 PREPARATION OF DILUTED TUB SOLU- 
 TION. 
 
 Sec. 15. (a) Assuming the size of the storage vat 
 to be 8 by 12 feet, area being 96 feet, and the solution 
 tub beinfy 30 feet in diameter, wood and iron bound, 
 with a mean area of 664 square feet, then we have 
 for putting up the stock chloride from storage vat 
 to the diluted solution tub, Table "B," giving the 
 number of cubic feet of stock solution for each tub 
 foot required, hence by multiplying this by the 
 number of tub feet to be charged, and dividing the 
 
 53 
 
result by the area of the storage vat (96 sq. ft.), 
 gives the vertical feet to put up. 
 
 Dilution of Chloride Solution. 
 
 (b) To make up the first tub of solution, say two 
 per cent strong, fill solution tub with water to, say 
 17 feet, the tub being 20 feet deep, each tub foot be- 
 ing equal to 664 cubic feet (mean area of tub) by 17 
 vertical feet, equal 11,288 cu, ft. multiplied by 62.3 
 Ibs. (weight of cu. ft. of water) equals 703,242 Ibs. 
 water. 
 
 Then as 98 per cent of water is to the two per 
 cent of chloride, so is 703,242 Ibs. of water to 14,352 
 Ibs. pure chloride required. 
 
 Then for cubic feet in volume of the two per cent 
 chloride we have: Water, 703,242 Ibs., which divide 
 by 62.3 Ibs. equals 11,288 cu. ft., and chloride, 14,352 
 Ibs., which divide by 200.0 Ibs., equals 71.76, making 
 total of 11,359.76 cubic feet, or about 17.2 vertical or 
 tub feet. 
 
 DETERMINING STRENGTH OF CHLORIDE 
 SOLUTION. 
 
 (c) No more satisfactory means have been found 
 for testing the strength of the chloride solution than 
 the Beaume Hydrometer, using the coarse hydro- 
 meter, one to sixty degrees for the concentrated and 
 the fine hydrometer, one to six degrees, divided to 
 i-ioth degree, for the highly diluted solutions. In 
 the heavier solutions, say 30 to 60 degrees, the influ- 
 ence of temperature is small, so that no account need 
 be made for it, but with that highly diluted it is 
 necessary to define the effect of temperature very 
 carefully to get true measurement of strength. 
 
 To meet this, the table (A), Figs. 32, 33 and 34, 
 has been prepared by means of empiric tests sub- 
 jected to a law of curve developed by trial, by which 
 a close approximation has been made. Comparison 
 of calculated quantities used in one month's run, 
 with the actual quantity of stock used, has served 
 to confirm the exactness of the tables. 
 
 54 
 
Figs. 30 and 31 give the same graphically, the 
 curves described being true spirals both as to the 
 variation under increased heat and for the points at 
 which the per cent of strength agrees with the de- 
 grees Beaume. 
 
 The use of the hydrometer is impracticable with 
 the glue and the tannin solution,, either being about 
 the same specific gravity as water. 
 
 WATER FOR DILUTION. 
 
 Sec. 16. It is here proper to notice the character 
 of the water to be used in this connection in making 
 up the chloride solution. 
 
 In carrying through the process, a considerable 
 quantity of water, variously estimated at 15 to 25 
 thousand gallons per day per retort, including the 
 supply for steam and circulating purposes as well, 
 is used. Pure water is very desirable and its quan- 
 tity is important, for, should it be bounteous, much 
 may be saved in water saving appliances. There are 
 some locations where it is desirable to locate works 
 that the quantity is meager and the quality is poor. 
 
 GELATINE (Glue). 
 
 Sec. 17. Commercial glue of good quality con- 
 tains the gelatine which, under the Wellhouse proc- 
 ess, forms a part of the plugging up substance by 
 its combination with the tannin. Glues vary con- 
 siderably in the amount of gelatine contained, but 
 60 per cent is supposed to be a fair estimate for a 
 good commercial article. 
 
 (a) The per cent in weight of water at 60 degrees 
 Fah. that any glue will absorb, is said to be about 
 the best test of quality. A first-class glue, it is 
 said, will absorb 13 parts of water to i of glue, but 
 it is found that some of the best cabinet glues will 
 not take over 5 or 6 in the 24 hours' test. 
 
 (b) It has been, and now is, the practice to use 
 a solution in combination with the chloride consist- 
 ing of one-half of one per cent of the total in glue. 
 
 55 
 
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 s 
 
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 * 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 t 
 
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 56 
 
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 6 
 
 SI 
 
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 M 
 
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 57 
 
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 58 
 
The tannin solution, containing the same amount of 
 tannin extract which will combine in about equal 
 parts, forming with the glue the leathery substance 
 in the wood pores. 
 
 (c) The specific gravity of a fair glue should be, 
 when perfectly dry, about 1.42, and should readily 
 take six times its weight of water when immersed 
 in it at 60 degrees Fah. for 24 hours. 
 
 To determine the specific gravity of any samole 
 of glue, take a graduated tube, say a 200 c. cm. 
 measure. First put in 100 c. cm. water, then weigh 
 out one ounce of the dry glue and drop it into the 
 tube, noting, immediately, the point to which the 
 water is raised by the addition of the glue. The 
 difference in the height of the water in the tube be- 
 fore and after adding the glue, will be the volume 
 of the one ounce of glue in cubic centimeters, from 
 which its weight and specific gravity can at once 
 be computed. 
 
 (d) Then to determine the amount of water it 
 will absorb, add to the above another 100 c. cm. of 
 water, place it in a place where the temperature is 
 constant at 60 degrees Fah. for 24 hours, when the 
 proportion of water unabsorbed will appear clearly 
 to the eye. Note this in c. cm. and divide by the 
 whole 200 c. cm. of water, thus determining the 
 proportion absorbed. 
 
 (e) In a one-half of one per cent solution of 
 glue, the specific gravity will be inappreciably greater 
 than pure water, so that the only means of deter- 
 mining its strength is to carefully weigh in the dry 
 glue whenever the solution is renewed, the quantity 
 of glue being always the one-half of one per cent 
 by weight of water charged with the glue, and com- 
 puted in the same ways as for the chloride solu- 
 tion. 
 
 (f) It is usual, on account of impurities in the 
 glue, to discount these by putting in an excess, say 
 where 100 pounds of tannin is called for, use no 
 pounds of glue. While it is understood that the 
 glue and the tannin combine in about equal quanti- 
 
 59 
 
ties, yet it is safe to have a slight excess of the for- 
 mer, for the reason that if glue should be entirely or 
 even partially absent there would be no action by 
 the tannin, and it would ?o back into the solution 
 tub as strong as before used. In any case, if suffi- 
 cient glue is not present, full action of the tannin 
 cannot be expected. 
 
 To determine the relative value of glues offered 
 for use in the Wellhouse or Zinc Tannin process: 
 
 (g) First prepare a four per cent solution of hemlock 
 extract of known strength (25 per cent to 27 per 
 cent), by putting one ounce of extract into twelve 
 ounces of pure water. Then treat one ounce of the 
 prepared glue, making this also four per cent strong. 
 The glue and water being brought to near a boil, 
 say 175 to 180 degrees Fah. 
 
 Take seven test tubes fys inch by 6 inches, placed 
 in a rack for convenience in filling and for observa- 
 tion. Then with a 25 c. cm. measuring tube, put into 
 the right-hand tube seven c. cm. of the glue solu- 
 tion ; into the second, eight c. cm., and so on until 
 they are all served. Then take the tannin solution 
 in the same way and like quantities, except that the 
 left-hand tube is to receive the c. cm. of the tannin, 
 and so on, increasing toward the right. Thus it will 
 be seen that the fourth tube will have the same 
 quantity of each, the glue and the tannin, and those 
 on each hand having varying proportions. The so- 
 lution should be freshly made and used while quite 
 warm and each tube well shaken when adding the 
 tannin to the glue in the tubes. Ordinarily it is 
 desirable that the glue be such as will combine 
 with an equal quantity of the tannin. Let the set 
 of tubes stand in any safe place for an hour or two 
 and the result in the tubes will be manifest to the 
 observer, and the lesson easily understood. 
 
 GELATINE. 
 
 (Extract from letter of G. M. Hyams, chemist, to 
 Chas. Dyer, July 7, 1889. relative to the use of glue 
 in timber treating.) 
 
In regard to' the preserving process, from my own 
 experiments and analyses, I have become convinced 
 that the quantity of organic acids in the pine wood 
 of our western (Southwestern) country has been 
 much overestimated. Now it is to be neutralized : 
 these acids that some albumenoid substance, such 
 as glue, has to be added to the timber before in- 
 jecting chloride of zinc. But as this glue, if left in 
 the pores of the timber, would itself decay, it in 
 turn has to be neutralized, and for this purpose 
 tannin is added. If now we can lessen the quantity 
 of glue to be added, we also decrease the amount of 
 tannin to be used, and this makes a double saving. 
 
 In order to find out the minimum quantity of ^glue 
 necessary, I have saturated timber in small pieces 
 with glue and then determined by appropriate meth- 
 ods the excess from my results. I find that the 
 quantity is only about one-fourth that ordinarily 
 recommended. The most important fact, however, 
 of this branch of the subject is the quality of the 
 glue used, as we are seeking here the soluble al- 
 buminoid principle for a chemical reaction, namely, 
 the coagulation of the vegetable acids of the wood. 
 We must seek for a different test in our glue than 
 merely adhesion (adhesiveness). To illustrate my 
 meaning in pieces from the same stick of timber 
 I have used the following quantities for the same 
 size: 
 
 Glue costing 5c. 8c. 12c 17c blood alb. pure alb. 
 Took 15grs. llgrs. 4 grs. 1.6 grs. 1.1 grs. 0.3 gr. 
 
 You will then readily see that, provided an easily 
 soluble glue costing 17 cents is used, it is really 
 much cheaper than a 5-cent article, which would 
 not be the case if we looked to its adhesive qualities 
 only. 
 
 So-called liquid glue is a good illustration also. 
 I believe you have tried this and found it not to be 
 economical. The reason is simply that to render it 
 soluble and liquid, it has to be treated chemically in 
 a way which destroys the neutralizing qualities of 
 the albumen and practically unfits it for our pur- 
 
 61 
 
pose. I am quite sure (confident) that with the 
 right kind of glue a saving of 20 per cent can be 
 accomplished. 
 
 PENETRATION OF GLUE. 
 
 The tannin and glue chiefly goes into the ends. 
 At the Chicago works the absorotion of each varies 
 from 0.017 to 0.034 cubic feet per tie, or I to 2 Its. 
 per tie (lit. eq. .035 cu. ft.), so that the solution in- 
 jected would be 100 times enough to cover the whole 
 surface 1-32 inch thick. But when the water evap- 
 orates we have left only the percentage of leatheroid, 
 say i to 2 per cent, which would cover surface 1-32 
 to 2-32 inch. 
 
 Chicago, Dec. 3, 1900. O. CHANUTE. 
 
 TANNIN EXTRACT. 
 
 Sec. 18. The tannin extract of hemlock bark is 
 mostly used in this process, containing from 15 to 
 30 per cent of tannic acid, presumably about a safe 
 mean of 22 per cent. 
 
 (a) As the amount of active properties in the 
 combination, both as to the glue and the tannin, 
 long practice has taught that they should be used 
 in about equal quantities. As the glue is first ab- 
 sorbed, and the tannin following neutralizes so much 
 of the glue as it may reach, the overplus of the 
 tannin being carried back with the returned solu- 
 tion, there is no waste by having the tannin solution 
 markedly stronger than the prescribed one-half of 
 one per cent. The strength of the tub solution of 
 tannin should be tested from time to time by com- 
 parison of its action on a reagent, as will be ex- 
 plained later on. 
 
 (b) As regards the penetration of the tannin 
 into the timber, although the tannin solution is com- 
 plete, that is, the acid is held in complete suspen- 
 sion and will go wherever the water will go, yet its 
 action is and must be largely superficial from the 
 fact that it has no such aid or favorable conditions 
 
ill 
 
 3 
 
 63 
 
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 1? 
 
 8 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 ; 
 
 >. 
 
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 X 
 
 s 
 
 x s 
 
 K) 
 
 5 
 
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 2 
 
 fc 
 
 i 
 
 ^ 
 
 64 
 
as does the chloride solution. That there is a por- 
 tion of the glue not reached by it is a matter of 
 speculation, and it is probable that owing to the 
 viscosity of the glue its action is also largely super- 
 ficial as well. Be this true, it is what it should be. 
 
 (c) The hemlock bark extract carrying the tan- 
 nic acid is of a reddish brown color, hard when 
 cold, but when under temperature of 100 degrees 
 Fah. or over is the consistency of thin molasses 
 and flows freely. 
 
 Its specific gravity is about 1.22, but when a half 
 of one per cent solution, there is no appreciable 
 excess over pure water. 
 
 (d) The commercial extract is put into barrels 
 holding about five hundred pounds and over, four 
 or five barrels usually making a batch. 
 
 To thoroughly dissolve, a quantity of water is 
 added and a moderate amount of steam is turned 
 in by means of a small steam pipe in the tub, by 
 which the extract is thoroughly agitated and mod- 
 erately heated, after which additional water can be 
 added, so that some fixed depth from the mixing 
 tub will equal the quantity of tannin needed for 
 each tub foot in the tannin solution tub. 
 
 (e) When tannin and glue are combined the 
 mixture, after time is given for the combination of 
 the two, and all unassimilated portions are washed 
 out, and the residuum dried, gives a dark-brown, 
 semi-transparent substance that is quite hard and 
 brittle. It is insolvent in water and incombustible, 
 simply charring to a cinder much as would be with 
 charred leather. Under the microscope it has the 
 appearance of an opaque resin, and a similar sub- 
 stance by appearance is found in the sap cells of 
 the treated timber, not in untreated timber. 
 
 Sec. 19. Alkaline waters usually found in the 
 western plains and mountains is, while undesirable, 
 yet not unusable, as while the effect is to some 
 extent deleterious, yet not to the extent that would 
 forbid its use. One of the effects is its liability to 
 combine with the zinc chloride, by which a fraction 
 
 65 
 
of the zinc is thrown down, reducing its effectiveness 
 to the extent of such combination. 
 
 Another effect of the alkaline water is to affect 
 the specific gravity for which allowance must be 
 made, the amount to be determined by a comparison 
 with distilled water at 60 degrees Fah. and sub- 
 tracting the difference from the hydrometric reading 
 in testing tub solution. 
 
 CHARACTER OF THE WORK AND AP- 
 PLIANCES. 
 
 Sec. 20. The business of timber treating is not 
 new, neither has it been successfully employed in all 
 cases. It has had to pass through the various stages 
 of development like the manufacture of steel, Port- 
 land cement and other lines of manufacture, with its 
 modicum of failures and successes. Now, when 
 success is to some extent attained, it is believed that 
 the exercise of knowledge and intelligence is the 
 only means by which recurrent failure will be 
 avoided. This fact cannot be too deeply impressed; 
 also that a thorough knowledge of the practical part 
 of the business, the movements of the process and 
 the nature of the agent used, and a thorough train- 
 ing in the practical handling of the works are ab- 
 solutely necessary to good results. In the operator, 
 to all this must be added a determined rmrpose to 
 enforce all rules and requirements, otherwise fail- 
 ure will be almost sure and very expensive. 
 
 Sec. 21. To give the operator a fair show to 
 carry the work properly, his convenience and the 
 efficiency of his force, as well as the economical 
 operation of the work, must be considered and care- 
 fully provided for. 
 
 Every part of the works should be easy of access 
 and compactly arranged so as to be under the eye 
 and hand of the operator. 
 
 Every part should be substantially built so that 
 repairs will be infrequent. 
 
 Ample store houses and storage for all material 
 
 66 
 
and stock to be used, as well as a good stock on 
 hand, should be provided. 
 
 Each machine, pump, engine, boiler, should be 
 selected to perform the kind and quantity of work 
 that is expected from it, as the failure of any one 
 to perform its functions promptly and properly en- 
 tails a loss of time for the plant and its whole force. 
 Where so much capital is involved, it is worth while 
 to attend to these considerations at the start. 
 
 INSTALLATION. 
 
 Sec. 22. When the retort and all the machinery 
 are in place and the works generally in condition to 
 commence operation, the following preparatory steps 
 are necessary to prevent confusion and to secure 
 the data that is necessary for future computations 
 and operation. 
 
 All tanks, reservoirs, tubs and vats should be 
 filled with water so as to cause the wood to swell 
 to tightness; the steam pipes, with steam and all 
 other pipes, including the retort, with water, so that 
 all leakage can be discovered and cured and that 
 everything be permanently and reliably tight, 150 
 Ibs. cold water pressure to be put on as final test. 
 
 The pumps and machinery should be connected 
 and steam put on and everything tested as to its 
 running promptly and in good order. 
 
 The retort door should be carefully adjusted so 
 that the gland will correspond exactly with the pack- 
 ing groove in the retort flange and the door swing 
 freely and truly on its hinges ; that the locking 
 levers radiate truly from the center and that the 
 "Y" bolts be well adjusted, so that, in closing the 
 door, all the levers will come to bearing at the 
 same time. 
 
 VOLUME OF RETORT. 
 
 Sec. 23. In computing the amount of absorption, 
 the amount of timber, etc., in volume, it is necessary 
 to know exactly how much the retort holds. 
 
 Close the retort, note the indicator reading on 
 
 67 
 
the solution tub, then open the main valve and en- 
 tirely fill the retort with the water, again reading 
 the indicator, and the vertical feet used by the area 
 of the tub will be the volume of the retort. It would 
 be well to include such number of tram cars as are 
 used in a charge of ties, as this will be used in case 
 of ties at all times. This, if carefully done, is more 
 exact than any computation that could be made. 
 
 PREPARING THE CHEMICALS. 
 
 Sec. 24. Before proceeding to start the works, 
 each of the chemicals must be prepared in such 
 quantities as will keep on hand a stock sufficient to 
 prevent delay in the work. Each solution tub should 
 be filled to near its full capacity with a solution of 
 proper strength, ready for instant use. For this part 
 of the work a carefully instructed assistant should 
 be employed and held responsible for the proper 
 handling and mixing, and also that sufficient stock 
 is held ready for use. 
 
 CHLORIDE OF ZINC. 
 
 Sec. 25. The preparation of the stock solution 
 and its dilution in the solution tub is fully treated in 
 sections 17 and 19, so that it is only necessary here 
 to notice the method by which the stock of solution 
 is kept up, both in quantity and strength, by more 
 or less frequent renewals. If three retorts are sup- 
 plied from a 3O-foot tub there will be required some- 
 thing like ten tub feet daily, hence this many tub 
 feet should be supplied each day. This operation 
 consists of pumping so many feet of water into the 
 tub and immediately adding the required quantity 
 of the chloride as indicated in Figures 30 and 31, 
 multiplying this by the number of tub feet put up. 
 
 For example, suppose that 8^ tub feet is wanted 
 and the water has been put up, the strength to be 
 2^2 per cent and the stock solution is 40 per cent 
 strong. We see by table "B" that it requires 30.173 
 cubic feet of stock solution to bring each tub foot 
 
up to 2^ per cent, then 8^x30.173 equal 256.47 
 cubic feet of stock solution. Divide this by area of 
 storage vat (96 sq. ft.) will give 2.67 vertical feet 
 of the 40 per cent chloride to be put up. 
 
 Sec. 26. If more than three retorts are operated, 
 an additional storage vat or a larger one will be 
 necessary, as the above indicates very nearly the 
 capacity of one of the size indicated, and another 
 solution tub will be necessary. 
 
 Sec. 27. As before indicated, the solution should 
 be tested by means of the fine Beaume hydrometer 
 to check the strength, and should it, after being 
 well agitated, be found too strong or too weak, then 
 addition of water in the former or chloride in the 
 latter case is required, the amount of each to be 
 computed as before. The deficit in either case 
 will be proportional as the per cent. Table "B" 
 contains quantities for an error of one-quarter of 
 one per cent, which saves trouble sometimes, and 
 is near enough for most cases. 
 
 Sec. 28. The matter of monthlv stock will be now 
 noticed as the same computation comes in here. 
 At the starting of the works, or at the beginning of 
 each month, there is a certain amount of stock in 
 the ware house and perhaps more arriving. To 
 keep a proper account it is necessary to know how 
 much stock has been used in the month, or perhaps 
 in a separate lot of timber, hence the stock account 
 should show just how much is on hand at any mo- 
 ment. This will consist of stock in warehouse, 
 stock in dissolving vats, in storage vat and also in 
 the solution tub, and, knowing the strength of each, 
 the whole can be summed up as if it was still in the 
 original package. 
 
 The simple rule for solution anywhere near two 
 per cent will be to call each cubic foot equal to 
 63.4 Ibs. Multiplying this by the total number of 
 cubic feet in the tub and again by the hydrometric 
 strength, will give the number of pounds pure 
 chloride in the solution tub. For mixing and storage 
 vats use table "B." 
 
GELATINE. 
 
 Sec. 29. Resuming the consideration of glue from 
 Sec. 17, we will take up its preparation with refer- 
 ence to its immediate use at the works. Glue comes 
 to the works in barrels of 250 Ibs. or thereabout, and 
 is dissolved in a small tank or dissolving tub into 
 which some water has been put. The packages first 
 being weighed, then broken, and after turning the 
 glue into the tub the empty barrel is weighed and 
 the net amount of glue noted. 
 
 Four or five barrels can be used at one time, 
 filling the tub with water, so that the glue be well 
 covered and left to soak for as long a time as the 
 exigencies of the work will allow; preferably 24 
 hours. A little steam is then applied so as to render 
 the glue homogeneous, adding further amount of 
 water to bring up the volume so that some fixed 
 measure will indicate how much to throw up for 
 each tub foot of the solution. 
 
 If a tub foot contains 664 cubic feet of chloride 
 solution, the weight of which is 63.4 Ibs., then there 
 will be a total weight of 42,098 Ibs., of which one- 
 half of one per cent would be 210.5 Ibs. of glue re- 
 quired for each tub foot. But remembering that in 
 Sec. 17 ten per cent is to be added, brings the 
 amount per tub foot to 230 Ibs. 
 
 Dividing the amount of glue put into the dissolv- 
 ing tub by 230 Ibs., will give the number of tub feet 
 that it will supply with the required per cent. 
 
 The strength of the glue, whether mixed with the 
 chloride or used separately, is supposed to remain 
 constant, only needing new supply in proportion to 
 the water added in keeping up the stock of solution. 
 
 TANNIN. 
 
 Sec. 30. The tannin being applied separately and 
 being the last application is prepared in its separate 
 mixing tub or vat and used from there by means 
 of the same ejector as^ the glue, diluting it in the 
 tannin solution tub in like manner to the glue. 
 
 70 
 
The tannin solution is absorbed to a very much 
 less degree than the chloride (usually only about 
 one-tenth in volume), owing to the timber having 
 already been well impregnated and to the less favor- 
 able condition for absorption. The tannin solution 
 actually loses much more of its tannic acid than is 
 contained in the amount of absorption of the charge, 
 it being remembered that some twenty times the 
 amount absorbed has been in contact with the charge 
 with its quota of glue, and therefore is* depleted to 
 the extent of the tannin needed to neutralize the 
 glue, therefore the following: Rule for keeping up 
 the strength of the tannic solution : 
 
 "To the amount in volume absorbed add the 
 amount of chloride solution absorbed ; to the sum of 
 these add tannin equal to one-half of one per cent 
 in weight of tannin extract." 
 
 COMPUTATIONS. 
 
 DURING OPERATIONS. 
 
 Sec. 31. During the operations of the works it 
 is necessary to know how much timber there is in 
 the charge, how much of each solution has gone 
 into it, etc., so as to be able to know that the work 
 is being properly done and that accurate accounts 
 may be kept of the amount of chemicals used. To 
 do this, the volume of the retort should be accu- 
 rately taken as before noticed. (Sec. 23), and the 
 various solution tubs should be provided with accu- 
 rate gauges, by means of which the operator can 
 note the amount in the tub before starting, at various 
 periods between and at the close of the operation. 
 
 These gauges should consist of a graduated board 
 divided into feet and tenths, a good float on the 
 solution in the tub and an indicator weight or 
 pointer working freely by means of a cord up and 
 down the graduated face of the indicator board. 
 This indicator should be placed where it will be in 
 plain sight of the operator and should be lighted at 
 night so as to be easily read. 
 
 71 
 
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VOLUME OF TIMBER. 
 
 Sec. 32. To compute the volume of the timber in 
 the charge : Take the lowest reading of the chloride 
 indicator from the reading after the solution is 
 fully forced back. This difference is the number of 
 tub feet that was in the retort after absorption is 
 completed, hence, when reduced to cubic feet, will 
 be the number of cubic feet outside the charge, and 
 taking this from the known volume of the retort, 
 the remainder will be the volume of the charge in 
 crbic feet of timber 
 
 ABSORPTION OF CHLORIDE, TANNIN OR 
 GLUE. 
 
 Sec. 33. Take the indicator reading after com- 
 pleting forcing back from the reading at commenc- 
 ing, tne remainder will be the tub feet of solution 
 absorbed. Reduce this to cubic feet, multiply it by 
 63.4 Ibs. (close approximate weight per cubic foot), 
 which gives the number of pounds solution absorbed 
 by the charge. Then again to determine the number 
 of pounds pure chloride, multiply this by the per 
 cent of strength of the solution (hydrometric, say 
 .02 or .025, as the case may be), the product is the 
 number of pounds pure chloride absorbed by the 
 charge. 
 
 Then, again, divide this by the total number of 
 cubic feet in the charge as before found, and the 
 result will be the pounds or fraction of a pound of 
 pure chloride per cubic foot of timber. 
 
 The same rule applies to absorption of tannin and 
 also glue where it is applied separately from the 
 chloride, only different in the last multiplier, which 
 is .005 or one-half of one per cent. 
 
 ABSORPTION BY VOLUME. 
 
 Sec. 34. A very useful and instructive test of tim- 
 ber as to its adaptability to receive treatment is de- 
 termined by its ability to absorb the solution. This 
 
 76 
 
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 FIG. 38 CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATION. LAS VEGAS, 1885-6. 
 
, 
 
 FIG. 39 OPERATOR'S REPORT. 
 78 
 
is found by dividing the number of cubic feet of 
 solution absorbed by the number of cubic feet of 
 timber in the charge. 
 
 RECORD OF ROUTINE WORK. 
 
 Sec. 35. To have a complete record of the oper- 
 ation a blank form should be provided for the oper- 
 ator to record every move, the directing column 
 being printed on the right hand with any convenient 
 number of columns in blank arranged to the left, say 
 six for the proper entries in ink, each blank column 
 to receive the record of one run. 
 
 The items to be entered are as follows: Run 
 Number; Retort Number; Commenced steaming; 
 Twenty pounds indicated (time) ; Blow off (time) ; 
 Commence vacuum (time) ; Twenty-five inches indi- 
 cated (time) ; Indicator chloride tank (feet and 
 tenths) ; Chloride introduced (time) ; lop Ibs. pres- 
 sure indicated (time) ; Lowest point indicator (feet 
 and tenths) ; Started forcing back (time) ; Com- 
 pleted forcing back (time) ; Indicator chloride tank 
 (feet and tenths) ; Indicator glue tank (feet and 
 tenths) ; Introduce glue (time) ; Force back glue 
 (time) ; Indicator glue tank (feet and tenths) ; In- 
 dicator tannin tank (feet and tenths) ; Introduce 
 tannin (time) ; Force back tannin (time) ; Indicator 
 tannin (feet and tenths). 
 
 Number of ties; Cubic feet of timber in run 
 ( computed) ; Absorption of chloride in vol. per 
 cent (computed); Strength of chloride solution (per 
 cent nydrometric); Absorption pure chloride to cubic 
 foot of timber in Ibs. Time consumed in run (hours); 
 time consumed in shift; kind of timber treated. 
 
 On left of last column should be date, temperature 
 of solution when tested, hydrometric reading and 
 signature of operator. 
 
 With such a report filled out for each and every 
 run, departure from the prescribed routine cannot 
 be concealed, but will be apparent. 
 
 While the requirements above say feet and tenths, 
 
it is possible with care to read the indicator to hun- 
 dredths of a foot, and this should be done. 
 
 MEASURING SAPS EXTRACTED. 
 
 Sec. 36. Recurring to the practicability of meas- 
 uring or determining the actual amount of saps 
 extracted from the timber with any degree of 
 accuracy is doubted. It is found that very dry tim- 
 ber, after being steamed, is invariably heavier if 
 withdrawn at end of the vacuum than when intro- 
 duced, showing that the timber has absorbed a 
 greater amount of moisture than replaces the saps 
 extracted. On the other hand, very green or water- 
 logged timber will be markedlv lighter, the only 
 conclusion we can draw is that more moisture has 
 been withdrawn than went in in the form of con- 
 densed steam, but how much sap came out or how 
 much condensed steam passed in and remains in the 
 timber is impossible to tell. The fact of the matter 
 is that during the process of steaming large amounts 
 of the saps are blown out with the condensed steam 
 in keeping the retort clear of condensations, the 
 quantity being of such amount as to load the out- 
 flowing water highly with the juices of the timber. 
 This is entirely outside of that collected by the hot 
 well, and of much greater volume. 
 
 KIND OF TIMBER AND CONDITION. 
 
 Sec. 37. The soft and open grained timbers, such 
 as the southern lowland pine and the mountain 
 pines of the west, have been submitted to treatment 
 with a high degree of success. The life of these 
 pines are, when laid without treatment, from three 
 to four and one-half years when cut from young 
 growing timber in the form of pole ties. Later, 
 hemlock, tamarack and even cpttonwood have 
 been used with good result, the life when treated 
 by the Wellhouse process being prolonged very 
 much. While sufficient record as to the relative life 
 
 80 
 

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 81 
 
in each case has not been kept, yet it is presumed 
 that it would be found to be at least double, some 
 estimating it at three times. 
 
 In the case of heart timber that is sound and well 
 matured the life can be safely placed at 50 per cent 
 higher, as heart timber is more lasting on account 
 of its maturity and firmness of fiber and greater 
 freedom from fermenting juices. 
 
 While it is true that sap and open grained timber 
 will absorb more of the antiseptic solution than 
 well-matured heart timber, and is, by some, con- 
 sidered most suitable for treatment, yet it is not clear 
 that the very best timber cannot be treated with 
 equal profit. 
 
 The fact probably is, that any timber, not exclud- 
 ing the best white or buroak, will be benefited to 
 such extent as to be profitable and advantageous 
 by the prolongation of its usefulness. 
 
 That a compact timber will not absorb as large 
 amount of the preservative is owing to the large 
 amount of solid wood fiber and the smaller per cent 
 of voids in the timber, which only serve for the 
 lodgment of the preservative, hence this should be 
 no reason tor barring it out, but, on the contrary, 
 should be in its favor. 
 
 The available voids in timber varies from 20 per 
 cent :n volume for compact heart timber to over 
 6p per cent for Texas short leaf pine. The compact 
 timber is net confined to the oak, hickory, etc., but 
 will be found among the pines. In almost all cases 
 the best timber is found in the lower part or butt cut 
 of the tree. 
 
 All in all, it is true that the better the timber the 
 better the tie. whether treated or otherwise, in spite 
 of its inability to absorb so much of the antiseptic. 
 
 SEASONING. 
 
 ^ Sec. 38. To secure the best possible results, any 
 timber should have such an amount of seasoning as 
 will free it largely of the green saps existing in the 
 
live tree when cut, or to such extent as may be prac- 
 ticable by exposure to a dry atmosphere for perhaps 
 from 60 to ox) days; more time in a damp, rainy 
 climate than in a dry, sunshiny exposure. 
 
 Practically speaking, the determination of condi- 
 tion of timber suitable must be largely a matter of 
 judgment with the further aid of actual results when 
 put through the process. 
 
 If perforce timber is treated while in a water- 
 logged or green, freshly cut condition, then spe- 
 cial means must be resorted to, prolongation of 
 steaming, interposition of extra vacuum, prolonga- 
 tion of pressure on solution, or all of these, but as 
 a rule this should not be done if possible to avoid 
 it, as the results will be uncertain. 
 
 Kiln drying is recommended by some, but this 
 adds too much to the expense and cannot be as 
 good in any case as Nature's action with time. 
 
 STORAGE OF TIES IN STORAGE YARD. 
 
 Where it is desired to give a season of drying to 
 incoming ties, a method of piling is advised where 
 the air has fair access to most of the surface of the 
 ties. In practice a course of four alternating with 
 a cross course of seven in the case of average hewn 
 ties will do this fairly well. Ties so cribbed in a 
 dry climate have been known to lose the greater 
 part of their water in one month. 
 
 STORAGE ROOM. 
 
 It is found that if storage tracks are spaced 64 
 feet center to center six cribs can be piled, still 
 leaving ample clearance for use of tracks by passing 
 cars. 
 
 UNLOADING AND PILING. 
 
 Where taken from cars the piles can be made as 
 high as the too of the cars, say 12 feet, and if piled 
 as before stated there will be six piles of no ties 
 
 84 
 
each every 10 feet of the space between tracks. At 
 this rate the space required per tie would be one 
 square foot of ground in the storage part of the 
 yard. Hence, a yard 1,500 feet long and 350 feet 
 wide would store 525,000 ties. If the ties to be 
 stored are sawed ties, the amount that could be 
 stored would be 25 to 33 per cent greater. 
 
 Sec. 39. Live and growing timber with its natural 
 saps and its sap cells in their normal condition 
 will resist the introduction of any fluid, much on 
 the principle that two bodies cannot occupy the 
 same space at the same time. To be able to intro- 
 duce any solution, the natural saps of the timber 
 must be in some way freed and expelled from the 
 timber either by being evaporated by drying or must 
 be forced out by heating, loosening and expanding 
 into vapor, as is done under the steaming process. 
 The saps in freshly cut timber will immediately be- 
 gin to evaporate when, under favorable conditions, 
 the ^timber is exposed to the air, the action com- 
 mencing on the exposed surface and gradually ad- 
 vancing toward the center of the piece, but if, on 
 the contrary, it is exposed to much dampness and 
 high climatic temperature, the evaporation pro- 
 gresses very slowly and the fermentation of the 
 juices of the timber will act quickly, forming at once 
 the basis of active decay. The time required to dry 
 the timber by exposure to the atmosphere alone will 
 go far toward its destruction, the fermentation of the 
 saps forming the fungi of decay, attacking the deli- 
 cate cells and more delicate and less compact por- 
 tions of the timber and then the firmer portions, 
 until, in a few months, the timber becomes spongy 
 throughout. Timber that has reached this stage will 
 take the solution freely, but if decay has gone so far 
 as to allow excessive absorption, it will be of little 
 value even if treated. 
 
 Sec. 40. Under the action of steam in the retort, 
 the juices are heated to such temperature as will 
 expel them rapidly, arresting any incipient decay 
 and destroying the delicate mechanism of the sap 
 
 85 
 
cells, clearing the way for the ingress of the solution. 
 Microscopic examination proves this to be true. 
 
 It is, therefore, important that the time the steam 
 is held must be adjusted to the condition of the tim- 
 ber, the most important consideration being that 
 its action shall reach the center of the piece. 
 
 The rule here adopted is for 20 Ibs. pressure, which 
 is equal to 250 degrees Fah., which is the highest 
 degree of heat allowable to which the timber can be 
 subjected without injury. The steam used should 
 be saturated steam, as with superheated steam the 
 temperature is uncertain, while no special advantage 
 is gained. 
 
 PENETRATION OF STEAM. 
 
 To determine when the penetration of steam dur- 
 ing the steaming process has reached the center of 
 the piece, the following is proposed : Fix a con- 
 necting pipe to the lower dome, so that the con- 
 densation during the steaming can be frequently 
 drawn, the pipe running to a sink in the machinery 
 room, and provided with a small cock. Then at 
 intervals of a half hour, draw from this saving a 
 small quantity to fill a test tube. A rack holding 
 10 or 12 tubes will suffice for six hours' steaming. 
 The operator will then have before him a means of 
 judging when the off- fall of the timber juices is 
 complete. It is not expected to thus form a definite 
 rule, but to give a hint that may aid very much in 
 determining when the penetration is complete. 
 
 The different timbers, of course, give different ao- 
 pearances in the off-fall, hence the operator has to 
 read the signs and draw conclusions. The main 
 point is to know when the timber is cooked through, 
 as on this will depend largely the thoroughness of 
 the penetration of the antiseptic, whether it be oil 
 or solution. 
 
 THE ECONOMIES. 
 
 Sec. 41. The following estimate is based upon the 
 conditions existing on the A., T. & S. F. Railroad 
 line in New Mexico in 1885. 
 
 86 
 
The prolongation of life of the Mountain Pine 
 there used, from a mean of four and one-half years 
 to about twelve years, is quite well authenticated. 
 On this is based the following estimate : 
 For a period of twelve years. 
 Untreated tie placed 22-3d times 
 
 Cost of tie, 35C.X2 2-3 times $0.93 
 
 Cost of placing in track, 2 2-3d ts. .40 $1.33 
 
 Treated tie, one, 350 $0.35 
 
 Cost of treating, 150 15 
 
 Cost of placing, I5c 15 $0.65 
 
 Making a saving in twelve years of 68 cents per 
 tie or five and two-thirds cents per tie per annum. 
 
 To more fully appreciate what this means, multi- 
 ply this by 2640 ties in each mile you have $149.50, 
 or approximately $150 per mile per annum. As the 
 works built in 1885 consisted of two retorts, with 
 annual capacity of 400,000 ties, sufficient to renew 
 300 tits per mile on 1,333 miles, the annual saving 
 on this basis would be something like $200,000. 
 
 The Las Vegas Works cost about $30,000, a small 
 part of the annual saving (about 15 per cent). 
 
 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 Sec. 42. In a general way, the true value of the 
 results must be deducted from the mass of and not 
 from individual cases or of a few specimen pieces. 
 
 The variations in density and other conditions are 
 as various as there are varieties of timber or parts in 
 the tree. Then again, even with the most careful 
 inspection timber more or less unsound will come 
 with the rest, to disturb the investigator should he 
 resort entirely to chemical analysis on which to 
 found an opinion as to the thoroughness of the treat- 
 ment or the value of the results. 
 
 Speaking from a practical point of view, the fol- 
 lowing line of reasoning will apply: The agents 
 used c.r& commercial commodities used in gross 
 amounts as salt is used to preserve meat, a small 
 
 87 
 
variation cutting a figure only where large quantities 
 are used, where system will conserve economy, but 
 where no slight variation will affect the efficiency of 
 the treatment. In this the chemist can guard against 
 the purchase of adulterated stock. 
 
 Again, the rules and methods for the zinc-tannin 
 and kindred processes are so well defined that the 
 operator, with the exercise of good judgment, can 
 get almost any desired result, and will know just 
 what he is doing as to amount of absorption. He 
 will know that when he puts in a tie weighing 100 
 Ibs. and it comes out weighing 175 Ibs. that it has 
 absorbed 75 Ibs., no more, no less, and knowing the 
 strength of the solution, he can safely say that it has 
 just so much pure chemical agent, whatever it may 
 be in it. To determine how much has been ab- 
 sorbed by any or every particular piece in the charge 
 is manifestly impracticable, hence only the gross 
 result is manifest at the time. 
 
 It must be remembered that each of the different 
 processes have been carried on for years, and their 
 effectiveness and value are no longer in the field of 
 theory, the proofs of effectiveness having been se- 
 cured after the lapse of sufficient time to amount to a 
 demonstration. The chemist may find a tie that has 
 been in service 15 or more years that has but a trace 
 of the chemical, and he may find one of the same 
 timber that has failed at less than five years, both 
 having been treated in the same charge, yet for 
 reasons before given this proves nothing as to the 
 real value of the process or of its failure. 
 
 The operator that is armed with a thorough knowl- 
 edge of chemistry has something that will be of 
 great aid to him, but he will find it of much more 
 importance to study the mechanical and physical 
 features of his work, for instance, whether his steam 
 reaches the center of a tie, what the best temperature 
 for his solution, how various timbers are best ren- 
 dered penetrable, and a hundred other matters vital 
 to the success of the process. 
 
 88 
 
CAUTIONARY. 
 
 Sec. 43. In conclusion, and at the risk of repe- 
 tition, the operator is reminded that it is of the ut- 
 most importance that every part of the work is 
 carried out according to the Vules laid down, that 
 the condition of the timber be carefully studied and 
 the best method be adopted to meet this, that every 
 precaution be taken to detect any failure that may 
 occur and to take the proper means to rectify this 
 even to a repetition of the treatment, and to labor 
 to instruct those under him in the highest possible 
 degree to the same end. 
 
 By no other means can good results be surely ob- 
 tained, and any mistakes escaping his vigilance, 
 while not immediately apparent, will tell seriously 
 some time in the future. 
 
 Extraneous influences will often be brought to 
 bear to have received and treated timbers not in 
 proper condition* to be treated, but such should be 
 received under protest if received at all, and a record 
 should be made of these facts. In this way only will 
 the process be protected against unfair charges of 
 failure. 
 
 The operator probably will have little control as 
 to timber delivered to him for treatment, but it is 
 his duty to see* that -each different class or kind is 
 treated separately as far as is possible, and to study 
 the method of handling the process best adapted to 
 each, bringing every check in his reach to bear, not 
 forgetting the weighing and other means of develop- 
 ing the best methods. 
 
 BURNETTIZING. 
 
 For the Burnettizing process the appliances are the 
 same as for the Zinc-Tannin except that the tubs for 
 the glue and for the tannin can be omitted and that 
 part of the pipings by which they connect to the re- 
 tort are also omitted. The precaution is usually 
 taken to put in connections for the piping so that in 
 case of change to the other process, that much labor 
 and expense is saved by so doing. 
 
FOR CREOSOTING. 
 
 (a) The additions necessary to provide for creo- 
 soting are the necessary storage tub, which should be 
 pt metal, as well as a dumping tank in which the oil 
 is dumped from the tank car in which it is usually 
 shipped to the works. The capacity of the storage 
 tub depends upon the desired capacity of the works 
 or the portion of the works devoted to creosoting and 
 the amount of timber that is to be treated. 
 
 (b) The same pipes are used as with the Burnett 
 except, of course, the main pipe to the header, but 
 these pipes through which the oil is passed must be 
 provided with inside steam pipes by which the oil 
 shall be kept fluid by means of live steam passing 
 through them. 
 
 (c) In addition to this the retort must be fur- 
 nished with a system of heating pipes (steam) of 
 such heating surface as will quickly heat the oil in 
 the retort to the desired temperature. This is done 
 by manifold coils of iron pipes. As the oil must at 
 all times be entirely fluid, the storage and the dump- 
 ing tubs must also be provided with ample heating 
 coils. 
 
 The absorption is secured in the same way as with 
 the Wellhouse or the Burnett process, first bv open- 
 ing the pores of the wood by steaming, followed by 
 the oil under pressure aided by a much higher tem- 
 perature on the oil. 
 
 UNITS IN COMPUTATIONS. 
 
 Sec. 44. Line measure feet, tenths and hun- 
 dredths, to three decimals. 
 
 Cubic measure, cubic feet and fractions to three 
 decimals. 
 
 Tub or vat feet equal area of tub or vat x i foot 
 (vert). 
 
 Weights, Ibs. Avoirdupois to one to three deci- 
 mals. 
 
 Gallons U. S. equal 231 cubic ins., not used as 
 being less convenient than cubic feet. 
 
 90 
 
Weight of water at 60 deg. Fahr. equal 62.4 Ibs. 
 per cubic foot, or .5775 per oz. Av. (Sea water said 
 to be 64.1.) 
 
 Pressure, steam and cold water is counted as per 
 square inch in Ibs. Av. 
 
 Temperature, Fahrenheit Thermometer (always). 
 
 Weight of concentrated sol. znc! 2 . See table (B) 
 Empiric. 
 
 Per cents should be carried to three decimals. 
 
 Means by weisrht except where otherwise speci- 
 fied. 
 
 LAGGING THE RETORT. 
 
 The practice in regard to providing nonradiating cover- 
 ing for the retort is quite varied. There is no doubt that an 
 economy of fuel results, but, on the other hand, experienced 
 operators claim that there is a loss of time and more diffi- 
 culty in securing a perfect vacuum, owing to the slow cool- 
 ing of the retort after the steam is discharged. If the retort 
 room is closed, the temperature gets very high so that the 
 radiation is not very great after the heat in the retort gains 
 the maximum and when steam is drawn, and by the same 
 line of reasoning the retort room should be opened. This is 
 not usually done, however, and the practicability of doing so 
 is doubted, as usually some one of the retorts reach this stage 
 at almost any hour of the day. 
 
 In case of the outdoor portable plant, the lagging seems 
 advisable as the radiation is necessarily great. More light 
 will be necessary to decide whether the additional cost of the 
 lagging is justified in the covered works. 
 
 TEST OF STRENGTH. 
 ZINC CHLORIDE SOLUTION.-POWERS. 
 
 The apparatus necessary consists of a graduated glass 
 burette and an ordinary coffee cup. The sketch shows the 
 method of making the analysis. 
 
 A is the glass vessel containing the zinc solution diluted 
 with distilled water containing a little potassium monochro- 
 mate. B holds the standard silver nitrate which is delivered 
 into the cup (A) by means of the pinch cock. As long as there is 
 any free zinc chloride left in A, the solution will remain yel- 
 low from the potassium chromate, but the moment it has all 
 reacted with the silver nitrate, one drop in excess silver ni- 
 trate solution reacts with the chromate to form a blood red 
 solution, so if we take a definite volume of zinc chloride so- 
 lution in A, and have the silver nitrate in B of the right 
 strength all we have to do is to simply read off the number of 
 c. c. of B solution used and we have the strength of the zinc 
 solution direct. 
 
 A correction has to be applied in making up the strength 
 of the silver nitrate solution because of the presence of chlo- 
 ride of sodium in the water used From GBO. W. NOTES. 
 
 91 
 
The use of the metric system will only be noticed 
 so far as is applicable to the graduated measures 
 used in testing laboratory, the larger measures and 
 weights usual in the metric system being less con- 
 venient for the ordinary computations of volume of 
 tanks, retorts, volume of timber, etc., than the cubic 
 foot (U. S.) as the unit. 
 
 The plant of the Mexican Central Ry. Co. is ar- 
 ranged tor the metric system and the following equiv- 
 alents will be convenient for converting these to cubic 
 feet, pounds, etc. 
 
 ONE GRAMME. 
 
 1 gramme = 15.4322 grains. 
 
 1 " = 1 c.cm. of pure water at 39.2 deg Fahr. 
 
 1000 " = 2.2046 Ibs. Av. (= 1 kilogramme). 
 
 1 " = .0022046 Ibs. and 
 
 1 " = . 0352736 oz. and 
 
 1 =15. 4322 grains. 
 
 LINE. 
 
 1 centimeter = .393704 inches, = .032809 feet. 
 1 decimeter = 3.93704 " = .328087 " 
 1 meter = 39.37043 " = 3.280869 " 
 
 SQUARE. 
 
 1 square meter equals 10.763 square feet. 
 CUBIC. 
 
 1 cubic centimeter = .0610254 cubic inches. 
 
 1000 =1 litre. 
 
 1 cubic meter = 35.3105 cubic feet. 
 
 WEIGHTS. 
 
 1 kilogramme = 2.2047 Ibs. avoirdupois. 
 1 gramme = 15.433 grains (1-7000 Ib. av.) 
 
 EXPANSION OF FLUIDS BY HEAT. 
 Water expands in volume : 
 
 Per degree Fahr., nMJ JOT or . 0002424 = 1 , 
 
 Creosote oil, ruSJJiOT or -0004727 = 2. 
 
 Stock chlorideof zinc, 46^, T <jJo5o(j or .0003171= 1.3 
 
IMPLEMENTS FOR TESTING SOLUTION. 
 
 Sec. 45. One avoirdupois scale, 4 Ibs. down to 
 grains. 
 
 One graduated glass test tube, 200 c. cm. will do, 
 i l / 2 inch. dia. x 12 inch. 
 
 One 1000 c. cm. graduated glass to set on scale, 
 with counterbal. 
 
 Two plain test tubes, 1^x12 inch. 
 
 Two dozen test tubes, ^x6 inch, with cork stop- 
 pers. 
 
 Two glass funnels, 3-inch dia. 
 
 One package filters, 6-inch. 
 
 Two open glass jars, 4-inch dia. and 6-inch high. 
 
 Two Beaume hydrometers, o to 60 deg. 
 
 Two Beaume hydrometers, o to 6 degrees, test to 
 exactly o in pure water at 60 deg. Fahr. (duplicates 
 to meet accident). 
 
 One floating thermometer, Fahr. zero to 250 deg. 
 
 One argand lamp with stand. 
 
 Six four oz. glass beakers. 
 
 Three porcelain saucers, say 4-inch dia. 
 
 Two galvanized iron pails, 4-inch dia. and 12 
 inches deep, with wire bail to handle samples of 
 solution. 
 
 A half dozen or more glass bottles holding a pint 
 or more and having ground glass stoppers will be 
 useful to hold various reagents used for testing the 
 solutions, some of which are noticed below. 
 
 REAGENTS. Methyl Orange, a i-iooo solution 
 for testing for free acid in the chloride solution. 
 
 Ammonia for testing for iron. 
 
 Barium chloride for sulphates. 
 
 Alum and glue for tannin solution, etc. 
 
 TO TEST STRENGTH OF TUB SOLUTION OF 
 
 TANNIN. 
 
 (i.) Prepare reagent as follows: 
 Pure water, one liter (1000 grammes). 
 Best glue, three grammes (50 grains approxi- 
 mately). 
 
 93 
 
Alum (sulphate), one gramme (16 grains). 
 
 Heat to 100 Fahr. and let stand 24 hours to dis- 
 solve, then bottle. 
 
 (2.) Make up a small quantity of one-half of one 
 per cent tannin solution as follows : Presupposing 
 that a sample quantity of known strength in tannic 
 acid is kept on hand, then take 12 ounces pure water, 
 add to this 26^4 grains tannin extract (30 grains is 
 close enough), warm and mix well, then filter well 
 through two sheets of filter paper and bottle for 
 further use. 
 
 (3.) Then take a small sample of the tub solution, 
 filter well as with the testing solution, then take 
 from each ten cubic centimeters and put each into a 
 test tube by itself adding the same amount of the 
 reagent (No. i) to each, shake well and cork. 
 
 The glue will combine with the tannin in each, the 
 combination settling to the bottom so that the rela- 
 tive amount will be apparent to the eye in two or 
 three hours. If the tannin is all taken up, the super- 
 incumbent water will be nascent and clear of color ; if 
 not, and the amount of glue is insufficient, the water 
 will be tinged red, and if on the other hand there is 
 more glue than tannin, the water will be turbid and 
 of a whitish tinge. If, however, the tannin is any- 
 thing near the standard the above will do. 
 
 For the following, we are indebted to Octave 
 Chanute, C. E. : 
 
 FOR TESTING PURITY OF ZINC CHLORIDE. 
 
 (Zncl 2 ). 
 
 For Sulphates. Taking two or three per cent 
 solution, add a little barium chloride. If the result is 
 a milky white precipitate it shows presence of sul- 
 phates. The precipitate is barium sulphate. 
 
 For Free Acid. To a two or three per cent solu- 
 tion of Zncl 2 , add a few drops of methyl orange solu- 
 tion (i-iooo solution), and if the methyl orange 
 changes color it shows presence of free acid. 
 
 To remove this, one of the most objectionable fea- 
 tures and most easily removed, place sufficient zinc 
 
 94 
 
spelter (metallic zinc) in the neutralizing vat to 
 combine with and take up the free acid. 
 
 For the presence of iron, one of the most injurious 
 of impurities, add ammonia, and shake well. If 
 there is a reddish brown flocculent precipitate, it indi- 
 cates the presence of iron and the precipitate is fer- 
 ric hydrated iron. The presence of over one-half of 
 one per cent, should condemn the chloride. For 
 timber preserving even less than this sometimes 
 considered sufficient to condemn. 
 
 VISUAL TESTS OF THE VARIOUS 
 CHEMICALS. 
 
 Ordinarily it is difficult to obtain an operator who 
 is sufficiently proficient in chemistry to test the vari- 
 ous chemical agents in use and at the same time hav- 
 ing the requisite experience in the practical part of 
 the operation, and it is here questioned whether it is 
 at all necessary. 
 
 With the ordinary intelligent business man visual 
 tests easily understood and quickly applied are the 
 most desirable. 
 
 Some of these are here given and more will be 
 developed by intelligent operators from time to time. 
 
 VISUAL TEST OF DENSITY, STRENGTH AND 
 PURITY OF FUSED CHLORIDE OF ZINC. 
 
 FOR DENSITY. 
 
 Put 140 cubic centimeters of pure water into a 
 200 c. cm. tube, equals 8.3456 cubic inches, then add 
 two ounces of the pure chloride fresh from the drum. 
 After the chloride is fully dissolved and the heat gen- 
 erated in dissolving it has been given off and the so- 
 lution reduced to the original temperature (60 deg. 
 Fahr.), then note the reading in the glass. The in- 
 crease will be the volume of the fused chloride in 
 cubic centimeters, from which the density can be 
 calculated. 
 
 Reading equals 156 c. cm. equals 2.0483 ounces 
 per cubic inch or 350 Ibs. per cubic foot. 
 
STRENGTH. 
 
 If the chloride is measurably pure, the total weight 
 of the 140 c. cm. water (4.9339 oz.), plus the two 
 ounces of fused chloride divided into the two ounces 
 chloride will give the per cent of strength, the hydro- 
 meter reading 29 per cent while the figures will be 
 28 84-100 per cent. 
 
 PURITY. 
 
 If the water is pure and the chloride also, the con- 
 tents of the tube will be clear as crystal, but usually 
 it is difficult to get water entirely free from lime or 
 other slight impurities, which will be shown in a 
 white flocculent deposit at the bottom of the tube. 
 
 If the chloride is not pure this will show itself by 
 letting the tube stand for a number of hours, the im- 
 purities settling to the bottom, when the proportion 
 of impurities can be read on the graduation tube. 
 
 Some of the zinc spelter used in the manufacture 
 of the chloride, especially the Missouri zincs, have a 
 considerable amount of lead which produces a chlo- 
 ride of lead of heavier specific gravity, causing it to 
 settle to the bottom, the line of separation being clear 
 and distinct. Some chlorides have been found to 
 contain near 10 per cent of this with other like im- 
 purities. Pure chloride of zinc will always remain 
 clear and pellucid. 
 
 Example: Using 200 c. cm. graduated cylinder. 
 
 Take pure water 5.2861 ozs. (equal 150 c. cm.), add 
 4.3250 ozs. pure Zncl 2 (fused) for a 45 per cent so- 
 lution. Let it dissolve and remain in 200 c. cm. tube 
 and observe the settling. 
 
 4.3250 ozs. at 8 c. cm. per oz. equal 34. 6 c. cm. 
 5.2861 ' 150.0 water. 
 
 January 5 all dissolved 184.6 c. cm. 
 
 Hyd. Be. 45 per cent. 
 
 Impurities equal 26.5 c. cm. divided by 184.6 c. cm. 
 equal 14 35-100 per cent. 
 
 96 
 
TEST OF TANNIN AND GLUE. 
 
 The basis of such tests will be a gallon of the 
 tannin (hemlock extract), the strength in the tannic 
 acid being first carefully determined, say from 23 to 
 28 per cent usually, then for a "suitable glue." 
 
 Take 12> ounces of the pure water and one-half 
 ounce of the tannin, heat to 180 Fahr. and stir well. 
 
 Take the same amount of water with half ounce of 
 the dry glue, boil until glue is thoroughly dissolved, 
 requiring 180 Fahr. Bottle both and use before 
 cooling. Then measure this four per cent solution 
 into test tubes as described below, and set in 
 warm place, say from 80 to 110 Fahr., each tube 
 being well shaken. Set over night and combination 
 will be complete, the condition making it manifest in 
 which proportion it is most complete. If the combi- 
 nation is complete with equal parts, we have the suit- 
 able glue; on the other hand, if most complete with a 
 less amount of tannin and a larger amount of glue, it 
 is deemed undesirable. The value of glue for the 
 purpose is in the amount of gelatine it contains. The 
 higher grades lose some of the gelatine in refining. 
 
 It is probable that this same method may be found 
 practicable in determining the approximate strength 
 of tub solutions of either glue or tannin, as the affinity 
 between these two chemicals is so strong that they 
 will combine even when mixed with any amount of 
 other impurities. 
 
 To make this test, take seven tubes, $> inches diam- 
 eter and 6 inches long is the most convenient, setting 
 them in a proper rack. With a 25 c. cm. graduated 
 cylinder, measure into No. 1 at the right hand 8 
 c. cm. of the glue solution, nine in the second, ten in 
 the third and so on to 14 in the seventh. Then take of 
 the tannin solution 14 c. cm. for No. 1, 13 for No. 2 
 and so on reversing the quantity to that of the glue. 
 The middle tube having equal quantity of each, the 
 tannin will combine and throw down the glue leaving 
 the water quite clear as long as the combination 
 is complete and the amount of leatheroid will settle 
 to the bottom of the tube in a quantity in proportion 
 
 97 
 
to the amount of glue, gradually increasing toward the 
 left until the quantity of glue becomes too great when 
 the glue or the unconsumed portion of it will remain 
 in suspension rendering the water turbid and reduc- 
 ing the deposit of the leatheroid. 
 
 TO DETERMINE WHEN THE TIMBER IS 
 COOKED THROUGH. 
 
 The plant should be so constructed that the con- 
 densation during steaming can be drawn off fre- 
 quently, say every thirty minutes. A small pipe 
 leading from the blow-off to the sewer can be brought 
 to a sink in the engine room so that a small quantity 
 can be secured and placed in a test tube in a rack 
 placed in the window where it is easily observed. 
 
 Usually the operator can judge very closely when 
 the timber juices are exhausted and thus avoid 
 wasteful continuance of the steaming. With most 
 timbers three and a half hours is sufficient. 
 
 TO DETERMINE THE EFFECT OF STEAM- 
 ING AND VACUUM. 
 
 It will aid the judgment very much by weighing a 
 car or two in a charge before introduction, again 
 after vacuum, and again after withdrawal at the com- 
 pletion of the treatment. Timber very dry on intro- 
 duction will be found slightly heavier after the 
 vacuum, but very green fresh cut timber will be 
 found lighter, having given off more of its saps than 
 it has absorbed of the moisture of the steam. 
 
BURNETTIZING, CREOSOTING AND 
 OTHER PROCESSES. 
 
 BURNETTIZING. 
 
 We think it worth while to insert a paper written 
 by Harry Grimshaw in 1885, in full. His descrip- 
 tion of the " Burnett " process is too concise and com- 
 plete; so free from technicalities, and couched in 
 terms easily understood, and his paper is so complete 
 a compendium of the state of the timber preservation 
 of that time that it is deemed worthy of reprint 
 here. ED. 
 
 ON THE PRESERVATION OF TIMBER 
 FROM DECAY. 
 
 BY HARRY GRIMSHAW, F. C. S. 
 
 The perishable nature of wood, especially when 
 placed in situations where there is an excess of mois- 
 ture in the surroundings, has led to many experiments 
 with a view to discover a process of treating timber 
 with salts or oils that woula preserve it from decay. 
 
 Dry rot, sometimes called sap rot, the most formi- 
 dable disease to which timber is subject, is commonly 
 attributed to a combination of the acids found in the 
 sap with the oxygen of the air, which produces fer- 
 mentation, followed by decomposition. Unseasoned 
 timber, placed in damp situations, with partial ven- 
 tilation, will soon show signs of dry rot. Beams, 
 
 99 
 
which presented the appearance of being sound on 
 the outside, have been found completely rotten on the 
 inside. The shell remains sound because it becomes 
 seasoned and relieved from the sap. 
 
 Wet rot (as distinguished from dry rot) is con- 
 sidered to be occasioned by alternate exposure to 
 moisture and dryness, beginning at the surface of the 
 timber and working inward. Piles and other timber 
 placed in salt or fresh water will show signs of wet 
 rot at the water line before it attacks other parts. 
 Posts, set in the ground, first begin to rot at the 
 ground line. 
 
 Among the earlier investigators on the subject of 
 preserving timber may be mentioned Johann Glau- 
 ber, the famous chemist of Carlstadt, Germany, who 
 in 1657 experimented with vegetable tar and pyro- 
 ligneous acid, the wood having been first carbonized 
 by the action of fire, then covered with a coating of 
 tar and immersed in pyroligneous acid. Since this 
 period many processes have been tried, but most 
 have not survived, either through cost of material or 
 difficulties in their application. Since then, up to 
 1846, no less than forty-seven (47) different processes 
 adapted for the preservation of wood are recorded, 
 besides others of more recent date. Of these proc- 
 esses, many of them would, no doubt, prove effective, 
 provided they could be carefully and economically 
 applied. It is a difficult problem to treat timber in 
 large quantities and meet with reasonable success. 
 The condition of the timber that is to be treated 
 should always be considered. It should be sound. The 
 trees should be cut during the season when the least 
 amount of sap is flowing, which in this country is in 
 the winter, say from November to February. It should 
 not be treated in a frozen state, and it is advisable to 
 shape the timber to the form in which it is to remain 
 before the treatment is applied. 
 
 Seasoning is a very important factor. A few 
 months of exposure to the air and sun will materially 
 add to the durability of the wood. The process of 
 treatment must be rigidly and faithfully performed. 
 The opportunities of gross frauds which cannot 
 
 100 
 
readily be detected, are many, and the numerous 
 instances on record, where cheating has been system- 
 atically carried on at works established for the pur- 
 pose of treating timber, prove that the safest course 
 for parties using preserved timber is to do the work 
 themselves. 
 
 Three of the well-known processes for preserving 
 timber are the following, viz.: 
 
 1. Creosoting, Creosote oil (so called) being the 
 antiseptic. 
 
 2. Burnettizing, chloride of zinc being the anti- 
 septic. 
 
 3. Kyanizing, corrosive sublimate being the anti- 
 septic. 
 
 CREOSOTING. 
 
 The creosoting process consists of injecting timber 
 with hot creosote oil, in a closed cylinder, under pres- 
 sure. It was invented in 1838 by John Bethel, who 
 found that by forcing at least seven pounds of creosote 
 oil into each cubic foot of timber, the process was 
 satisfactory for railroad sleepers and other railway 
 work, but that for marine work it was better to have 
 not less than ten pounds per cubic foot. In other 
 countries, experimenters have used from ten to twenty 
 pounds of creosote oil per cubic foot, and the esti- 
 mated cost is from sixpence to a shilling per cubic 
 foot, or fifty to one hundred shillings per thousand 
 feet, board measure. Creosote oil (such as is most 
 commonly used in this country and abroad for the 
 treatment of wood) is distilled from coal tar. It is a 
 heavy oil which will sink in water, and contains car- 
 bolic acid, creosote, and other constituents considered 
 effectual for the preservation of wood. Creosoting 
 is far from being a cheap process, and for this reason 
 perhaps more than any other, it has failed to be ex- 
 tensively adopted in America. Creosoting meets 
 with favor in England, and at the present time it is 
 the only process that is carried on with any degree of 
 magnitude and success. 
 
 101 
 
BURNETTIZ1NG. 
 
 Burnettizing was introduced by Sir William Bur- 
 nett, in 1838. The invention consists of destroying 
 the tendency of certain vegetable and animal sub- 
 stances to decay, by submitting them to the action of 
 chloride of zinc. The degree of dilution recom- 
 mended by Burnett is one part by volume to fifty 
 parts of water. The method of impregnating the 
 wood under a pressure of seven to eight atmospheres, 
 as is done in the creosoting process, is most com- 
 monly used. The cost of burnettizing is less than 
 one-third of the cost of creosoting. There are no 
 burnettizing works of any extent in America at the 
 present time. Some of the railroads in various parts 
 of the country have experienced good results from 
 the burnettizing of ties, especially ties of soft wood, 
 such as pine, tamarack, hemlock and ceder. Among 
 them may be mentioned the Rock Island and Pacific 
 Railroad, the Lchigh and Susquehanna Railroad, and 
 the Vermont Central Railroad. The process was in- 
 troduced at Lowell, in 1850, and conducted faithfully 
 for about twelve years, during which period a very large 
 amount of timber was burnettized for bridges and 
 other structure purposes in exposed situations. 
 
 In Germany, burnettizing meets with more favor. 
 The Stuttgart Technical Convention of 1887 expressed 
 itself as follows : 
 
 " As the experience of those railroads that have 
 from twenty-five to twenty-six years impregnated their 
 sleepers with chloride of zinc, under pressure, after 
 steaming and abstracting the sap, has been very sat- 
 isfactory, and as this system costs only one-third or 
 less compared with impregnation with creosote or 
 corrosive sublimate, many of the railroads have 
 adopted the chloride of zinc process." 
 
 Steaming the wood under a pressure of sixty to 
 seventy pounds per square inch, as done in Germany, 
 preparatory to burnettizing, no doubt adds to its 
 durability. Tredgold considers that steamed timber 
 shrinks less and stands better than that which is 
 naturally seasoned. Barlow, another good authority, 
 
 102 
 
is of opinion that the seasoning goes on more rapidly 
 after the piece is steamed. 
 
 KYANIZING. 
 
 This process was invented and introduced into 
 England in 1832, by John Howard Kyan. It consists 
 of steeping the wood in a solution of corrosive subli- 
 mate, and the degree of dilution is usually one pound 
 of the salt to ninety-nine pounds of water. 
 
 It is a very slow process compared with those in 
 which the wood is impregnated under pressure, and 
 requires about as many days for treatment as creosot- 
 ing or burnettizing would require hours. 
 
 The usual rule in America is to allow the timber to 
 steep in vats for a length of time, depending upon its 
 least thickness, thus, if the timber is ten by twelve 
 inches thick, it would remain in the vats eleven days; 
 if six by nine inches, it would steep seven days. 
 Bichloride of mercury, which is the antiseptic in this 
 process, contains muriatic acid, which acts upon iron, 
 and it is found impracticable to attempt to impreg- 
 nate the wood under a pressure in iron cylinders, as 
 can be done when creosote oil or chloride of zinc is 
 used. Kyanizing was introduced in Woolwich by the 
 royal engineers in 1836, but has gone out of use in 
 England. The great cost of the material no doubt has 
 been the chief cause of this, as a material costing 
 3d 6s per Ib. has small chance of adoption where 
 creosote is about 3d. per gallon, and pure chloride 
 of zinc under 2d per pound, although in America, 
 where these two latter named substances are not so 
 readily obtainable, the kyanizing process of impreg- 
 nation with bichloride of mercury has recently been 
 carried on. 
 
 The only rival therefore to creosote as a preserva- 
 tive of timber, is the chloride of zinc, and now that 
 the means of production of the latter have rendered 
 it so cheap, it is becoming largely adopted on the 
 continent, and the English railway companies, mine 
 owners, and other users of timber should, in their own 
 interests, study the application of this substance as 
 
 103 
 
preservative from decay. At the prices ruling at the 
 present time, the chloride of zinc process (originally 
 denominated burnettizing) is less than one-third of 
 that of creosoting, and in view of the fact that 
 creosote and other heavy oils are destined to be more 
 largely used as fuel, the economy effected by the use 
 of the chloride of zinc will become greater. 
 
 Railway companies especially would benefit, both 
 by the lower cost of the process and by the fact that 
 large quantities of creosote would be released from 
 use for timber preservation, and so be available for 
 fuel under their locomotive boilers. 
 
 As to the cost of the process, it is found that the 
 solution of chloride of zinc, of the right strength for 
 preserving of timber, is of about four per cent 
 Twaddle's hydrometer, or 1.02 specific gravity, and 
 the price of this to-day is about seven shillings per 
 ton. The price of creosote oil in most places will be 
 at least two pence per gallon, which is equal to thirty- 
 seven shillings per ton, or five times that of the 
 chloride of zinc solution. 
 
 There can be no question, therefore, of the initial 
 advantage, i. e., that of the actual price of the one 
 material over the other. Should there be any neces- 
 sity to transport the material to a distance, the ad- 
 vantage becomes more pronounced. The chloride of 
 zinc is now manufactured in a solid form, which \sfifty 
 times as strong as the solution used for " burnettiz- 
 ing," the freight being thus reduced to one-fiftieth. 
 In case of export, this is, of course, an immense ad- 
 vantage, which is further added to by the fact that 
 chloride of zinc is absolutely noninflammable and is 
 noncorrosive, and can be packed in either wooden 
 casks or iron drums of an inexpensive description. 
 
 As to the mode of application, exactly the same 
 plant as that used for creosoting is adapted to the use 
 of chloride of zinc, and the same " modus operandi " 
 is followed out, namely, that of injection under pres- 
 sure in closed vessels, preferably after previous ex- 
 haustion of the air from the vessels. 
 
 In cases where it is not practicable to employ the 
 usual apparatus for creosoting, and the timber has to 
 
 104 
 

 be submitted to simple immersion in the fluid for a 
 longer or shorter time, the chloride of zinc has a great 
 advantage over creosote oil on account of its greater 
 fluidity and greater affinity for the soluble matters of 
 the wood, which causes it to penetrate more rapidly 
 and deeply into the pores. 
 
 Where simple "soaking" or "pickling" of the tim- 
 ber is adopted, the vessel used may be a tank of wood 
 or iron, or may be of brick or stone sunk in the 
 ground. At one establishment there are used two 
 tanks or vats built in the ground with bricks. They 
 are fifty feet by eight feet six inches and four feet 
 six inches deep. The inside course is best of blue 
 bricks, set in pitch, or ordinary bricks soaked in 
 melted pitch. Such a tank will last for years without 
 repairs, and will hold from twelve to fifteen thousand 
 feet, board measure, of timber. 
 
 It is a noticeable fact that in the treatment of 
 timber by absorption in this way, if it is immersed 
 while containing sap, i. e., in a more or less green 
 state, the chloride of zinc penetrates more quickly 
 and farther than when dry, but the amount of material 
 taken up is not so great. 
 
 After treatment with the chloride of zinc, it is the 
 practice of some of the continental railway com- 
 panies to give an outside coat of hot tar oil, in which 
 some pitch has been dissolved. 
 
 The great importance of an extremely cheap and 
 efficient mode of preserving timber, is apparent when 
 it is borne in mind that in the form of railway 
 sleepers and similar objects, soundness and durability 
 are prolonged to some two to four times that of 
 timber in its natural state, and seeing that the forests 
 and timber supplies of almost all countries are 
 rapidly decreasing in extent, the question of economi- 
 cally lengthening the period of usefulness of wood 
 used for railway, mining, and other outside work, 
 becomes one of almost national importance. 
 
 The object of this paper is chiefly to point out, 
 that in this country it appears to have been quite 
 overlooked that the admirable process discovered by 
 Sir William Burnett, has now, through the develop- 
 
 105 
 
ment of the manufacture of chloride of zinc, become 
 the most economical method extant, for the preserva- 
 tion of timber from decomposition and decay. 
 
 For information as to processes carried on in 
 America, the writer is much indebted to Mr. James 
 Francis, of Lowell, in a paper read before the New 
 England Cotton Manufacturers Association. 
 
 PATENTED PROCESS OF TREATING 
 TIMBER. 
 
 CREOSOTING. 
 
 The improved process herein described of impreg- 
 nating timber with preservative fluids, consisting in 
 placing the timber in the retort with vents left open 
 to the air, then introducing creosote in sufficient 
 quantities to submerge the timber in the same, then 
 heating the timber and the creosote to a tempera- 
 ture above the boiling point of the sap at ordinary 
 atmospheric pressure whereby the sap is expelled 
 from the timber, then closing the vents of the retort 
 and by the application of pressure forcing the creo- 
 sote into the pores of the timber to take the place of 
 the evaporated sap, substantially as described. 
 
 Covered by Letters Patent No. 11,515 Dec. 3, 1895, 
 issued to W. G. Curtis and John Isaacs of San Fran- 
 cisco, Cal., to whom application for right to use 
 should be made. 
 
 This notice of this patented process is inserted by permis- 
 sion of the patentees, the author desiring to embrace all pos- 
 sible information of interest relating to timber preservation. 
 The standing of these men John D. Isaacs, C. E., and W. G. 
 Curtis, C. E. (deceased), pioneers in the business, is such as 
 to vouch for the value of the process. If, as it is claimed, the 
 steaming can be omitted, there is a distinct saving of time 
 and a corresponding saving in cost. It must be held in mind, 
 however, that timber differs so radically in different parts of 
 even the United States that its value can only be determined 
 by actual trial. The statement of operation and of cost of 
 treating, both Burnettizing and creosoting, here inserted, is 
 furnished by John D. Isaacs, C. E,, engineer of maintenance 
 
 106 
 
of way of Southern Pacific Railway, and is so complete and 
 well arranged that it is thought proper to give it place here. 
 The cost of treatment varies considerably with locality 
 This is net cost to the railroad company and does not cover 
 investment, interruption of operation or operators' profits, 
 when the business is conducted as a commercial enterprise. 
 
 SOUTHERN PACIFIC COMPANY. 
 
 (Pacific System.) 
 
 STATEMENT OF COST OF BURNETTIZING CROSS 
 TIES FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1902. 
 
 At Dietze, Gal. (Portable Plant.) 
 
 
 
 
 Cost of Treatment Per 
 
 oT 
 
 fid 
 
 Sj 
 
 Tie Cents. 
 
 || 
 
 S| 
 
 K 
 
 6 
 
 | 
 
 i 
 
 n 
 
 d 
 
 
 1^ 
 
 * 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 es ce 
 ^ rt 
 
 1 
 
 July 
 
 (7x8) 49,052 
 
 .60 
 
 4.58 
 
 1.47 
 
 2.82 
 
 .57 
 
 9.44 
 
 
 (6x8) 9,775 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 August. . 
 
 (7x8) 113,423 
 
 .60 
 
 3.7 
 
 .58 
 
 3.09 
 
 .10 
 
 7.54 
 
 
 (6x8) 16,300 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Sept 
 
 (7x8) 96,096 
 
 .60 
 
 3.72 
 
 ..05 
 
 3.23 
 
 .12 
 
 8.11 
 
 
 (6x8) 11,193 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 October.. 
 
 (7x8) 99,302 
 
 .60 
 
 3.85 
 
 .C8 
 
 3.00 
 
 .09 
 
 7.72 
 
 
 (6x8) 19.412 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Nov 
 
 (7x8) 91,184 
 
 .60 
 
 3.90 
 
 1.29 
 
 3.12 
 
 .09 
 
 8.40 
 
 
 (7x8) 10,049 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Dec 
 
 (7x8) 42,455 
 
 .60 
 
 4.07 
 
 .41 
 
 3.13 
 
 .67 
 
 8.26 
 
 
 558,319 
 
 .60 
 
 3.89 
 
 .88 
 
 3.08 
 
 .19 
 
 8.05 
 
 Cost of moving and setting up . 
 
 8.30 
 
 491 ,51 2 7x8 inch ties 
 66,807 6x8-inch ties ,to 548,780 7x8-inch ties : cost per ties 8.20 
 
 107 
 
At Latham, Ore . (Portable Plant) 
 
 Months, 
 1902. 
 
 No. of Ties 
 Treated. 
 
 a 
 
 O^H 
 
 s 
 s 
 
 pN 
 << 
 
 Cost of Treatment Per 
 Tie NCents. 
 
 3 
 o 
 
 S 
 
 1 
 
 fe 
 
 Labor. 
 
 Is 
 
 Ss 
 
 c g 
 
 s fl 
 
 .12 
 .16 
 .37 
 .08 
 .70 
 
 3 
 
 i 
 
 7.39 
 
 7.74 
 6.66 
 5.87 
 8.63 
 
 Jan .... 
 
 (6x8) 8,903 
 (7x8) 97,777 
 (6x8) 75,397 
 (7x8) 21,267 
 (6x8) 62,324 
 (7x8) 53,490 
 (6x8) 49,023 
 (7x8) 69,815 
 (6x8) 20,540 
 (7x8) 38,142 
 
 .60 
 .60 
 .60 
 .60 
 .60 
 
 3.73 
 3.65 
 3.78 
 2.69 
 4.51 
 
 .84 
 .73 
 .08 
 .69 
 
 2.79 
 2.60 
 2.43 
 2.42 
 3.42 
 2.63 
 
 Feb 
 
 April.... 
 May 
 June 
 
 
 496,776 
 
 .60 
 
 3.57 
 
 .51 
 
 .24 
 
 6.95 
 
 Cost of moving and setting up. 
 
 7.27 
 
 216,1876x8-inch ties 
 280,591 7x8-inch ties to 465,910 7x$-inch ties . cost per ties 7 . 41 
 
 At Oakland, Gal. 
 
 Months, 
 1901-1902. 
 
 No. of Ties 
 Treated. 
 
 8j 
 
 3 
 
 
 IN 
 < 
 
 Cost of Treatment Per 
 Tie Cents. 
 
 d 
 
 Q 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 fe 
 
 L23 
 1.01 
 1.08 
 1.11 
 .90 
 1.02 
 1.33 
 
 1.12 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 2.30 
 2.80 
 2.84 
 2.46 
 ? Sfi 
 
 38' 
 
 11 
 
 1 n 
 %*% 
 
 i* 
 
 " 
 
 <A 
 
 1 
 
 8.51 
 7.86 
 8.84 
 7.97 
 6.96 
 7.51 
 7.71 
 
 Sept.... 
 October. 
 Feb. '02 
 March. 
 April.. 
 May . . . 
 June. . . 
 
 (7x8) 38,454 
 (7x8) 69,151 
 (7x8) 55,681 
 (7x8) 88,860 
 (7x8) 18,991 
 (7x8) 54,506 
 (7x8) 84,304 
 
 .60 
 .60 
 .60 
 .60 
 .60 
 .60 
 .60 
 
 3.77 
 3.60 
 3.66 
 3.79 
 3.59 
 3.73 
 3.22 
 
 ".'33' 
 
 1.10 
 .47 
 
 .21 
 .12 
 .16 
 .14 
 11 
 
 2.65 
 2.48 
 
 ' ' .'55' 
 
 .13 
 .13 
 
 
 409,947 
 
 .60 
 
 3.61 
 
 2.67 
 
 .42 
 
 .14 
 
 7.96 
 
 108 
 
CREOSOTED TIMBER. 
 
 THE NORFOLK CREOSOTING COMPANY'S METHOD OF PRE- 
 SERVING WOOD FROM MOLLUSKS AND THE 
 ELEMENTS. 
 
 The preservation of timber by the Dead Oil of 
 Coal Tar process, as carried on by all well-equipped 
 creosoting plants, consists of two distinct operations 
 the preparation of the wood, and its impregna- 
 tion with the preservative. The preparation of the 
 wood necessary for the proper reception of the pre- 
 serving substances is the removal of all those por- 
 tions of the tissue which are subject to fermentative 
 action. This consists of the extraction of the liq- 
 uids and semi-liquids occupying the interfibrous 
 spaces, and constituting the very immature portions 
 of the wood, without softening the cement binding 
 of the febrillse, or bundles of cellulose tissue, form- 
 ing the solid or fully matured part. Upon the suc- 
 cessful accomplishment of this entirely depends the 
 value of artificially preserved wood for structural 
 purposes. If this step of the operation is conducted 
 at too low a temperature, or for too short a time, the 
 sap or liquid part nearest the surface will only be 
 extracted, the consequence of which will be an in- 
 sufficient space for receiving the preservative. If, on 
 the other hand, the operation is carried on at too 
 high a temperature, or for too long a time, the resi- 
 nous portion of the bundles of fibrillse will be soft- 
 ened and the wood lose its elasticity in just the pro- 
 portion that the coherence of the fibrillse is less- 
 ened. The temperature should never be less than 
 100 C. or exceeding 130 C. Of the two possible 
 methods for the removal of the undesirable portions 
 of the timber, exposure to currents of dry air, and 
 steaming under pressure with an after drying in a 
 vacuum, the latter is now the universal practice. 
 While the first named plan may seem the more ra- 
 tional, and the one least likely to modify injuriously 
 
 109 
 
the physical structure, such is not the case. Under 
 proper manipulation, a more thorough desiccation, 
 without harmful change of the organic structure, 
 can be accomplished in twelve hours less by the lat- 
 ter process, than is ever possible with air drying 
 which, under the most favorable circumstances, is a 
 long-drawn-out operation, and cannot do more than 
 extract the water from that portion of the sap which 
 has not yet reached the semi-solid stage, thus leav- 
 ing in the tissues of the wood a very considerable 
 amount of resinous matter which occupies space that 
 should be ready to receive the creosote oil. The con- 
 sequence of this is a failure of the oil to reach many 
 of the interfibrous passages, which are either left 
 empty or are filled with the gelatinous part of the 
 half-matured growth cells in which are to be found 
 the conditions that make putrefaction possible. In 
 order to remove the sap from wood, it is first nec- 
 essary to vaporize it and then to bring about such 
 external circumstances which shall allow outflow of 
 all gaseous matter from the interior of the wood. 
 In order to vaporize the sap it is necessary to break 
 down the walls of the cells containing the liquid and 
 semi-liquid substances. This is readily accomplished 
 through the agency of heat applied through the me- 
 dium of a moist steam bath, at such a pressure as 
 to keep the temperature of the wood, and its sur- 
 rounding atmosphere, somewhat above the boiling 
 point of the sap. The maintenance of this condi- 
 tion for a few hours is found to be quite sufficient to 
 break down the sap-cell tissue and to vaporize all 
 those constituents that it is desirable to withdraw. 
 This point having been reached, the steam bath is 
 discontinued, and the temperature being maintained 
 at, or slightly above, the vaporizing point of the sap, 
 the pressure of the atmosphere surrounding the 
 wood within the chamber is reduced below that of 
 the interior of the wood. The result of this condi- 
 tion is an outflow of vapor and air, continuing until 
 equilibrium is restored. This equilibrium is pre- 
 vented by the use of an exhaust pump until the ab- 
 
 110 
 
sence of aqueous vapor in the discharge from the 
 pump indicates the completion of the operation. At 
 this stage of wood tissue is in a state very like that 
 of a sponge cleared of hot water; every pore is gap- 
 ing open and ready to receive the oil. 
 
 In the practice of the Norfolk Creosoting Com- 
 pany the most carefully dried lumber is steamed and 
 subjected to the action of the heated "vacuum" in 
 order that there may be had that thorough and uni- 
 form penetration of the preserving liquid that is es- 
 sential to the hiehest efficiency of the product. The 
 timber having been thus prepared the creosote oil is 
 admitted to the chamber, which is still kept under 
 the influence of the vacuum pump, at a temperature 
 somewhat above the boiling point of the sap, at the 
 pressure then existing in the chamber. As the hot 
 oil envelops the wood and enters the interfibrous 
 spaces, the aqueous vapor yet remaining in the wood, 
 by reason of its less specific gravity, rises to the top 
 of the containing chamber and is withdrawn by the 
 pump. By the time that the chamber is entirely 
 filled with oil, all the remaining moisture has es- 
 caped. The exhaust pump is stopped and, in order 
 to facilitate the absorption of the oil by the wood, a 
 pressure pump is set to work supplying oil to the 
 chamber at such pressure as may be desired. This 
 operation is continued until the requisite amount of 
 oil has been put into the timber. The chamber is 
 then opened and the timber withdrawn. The appa- 
 ratus is then ready for further use. 
 
 The successful conduct of the operation above 
 outlined exacts the most careful attention and skill- 
 ful management, supplemented by adequate and 
 suitable appliances. The wide divergence in the 
 characteristics of timber; the varying amounts of 
 sap, due to the lapse of time since, and the season in 
 which the tree was felled ; its possible subsequent im- 
 mersion in water for a longer or shorter time; the 
 character of the soil and the conditions under which 
 the tree grew, whether in a dense forest or a com- 
 paratively open country, whether it is of a rapid even 
 
 ill 
 
growth, or a slow intermittent one, are all factors 
 contributing to a more or less perfect product. To 
 the experienced operator these conditions indicate, 
 in each case, the proper course to be pursued. Fail- 
 ure to observe and to take them into consideration 
 is to invite indifferent, uncertain and in the end un- 
 satisfactory results. Of equal importance is a proper 
 understanding of the circumstances under which the 
 finished product is to be used. Timber for piers, 
 wharves and other structures in tropical waters de- 
 mand processes and degrees of thoroughness of 
 treatment that are unnecessary in the harbors of 
 more temperate climates, which are, in turn, more 
 exacting than land and fresh water construction. 
 
 The success of the Dead Oil of Coal Tar process 
 owes its virtue to the presence of insoluble non- 
 volatile substances indifferent to the attacks of oxi- 
 dation or putrefaction, under the conditions to which 
 its product is normally exposed. Of these substances, 
 by far the most abundant are the Naphthalene com- 
 pounds which occur in commercial dead oil 
 of coal tar to the extent of from thirty to sixty 
 per cent by weight. Naphthalene proper, the most 
 abundant of the series, is in its pure state a white 
 substance in the form of closely adhering rhom- 
 boidal crystals. It fuses at 79 C. and vapo- 
 rizes at 212-220. Its specific gravity is 0.9778 at its 
 boiling point. It is insoluble in cold water ; spar- 
 ingly so in hot ; it is slightly volatile at normal tem- 
 peratures. 
 
 SPECIFICATION FOR CREOSOTED TIMBER. 
 
 MATERIALS. Timber shall be of the dimension 
 specified, straight, free from windshakes, large or 
 loose or decayed knots, red-heart or anything impair- 
 ing its strength or durability, and to be cut from 
 sound live trees, and to be . . . 
 
 OIL. All oil shall be the heavy or dead oil of 
 coal tar, containing not more than i 1 /* per cent of 
 water, and not more than 5 per cent of tar, and not 
 more than 5 per cent of carbolic acid. 
 
 112 
 
It must not flash below 185 F. nor burn below 
 200 F. and it must be fluid at 118 F. It must be- 
 gin to distill at 320 F. and must yield between that 
 temperature and 410 F. of all substances, less than 
 20 per cent by volume. 
 
 Between 410 and 470 F. the yield of naphthalene 
 must be not less than 40 nor more than 60 per cent 
 by volume. At two degrees above its liquefying 
 point it must have a specific gravity of maximum 
 1.05 and minimum 1.015. 
 
 PRpCESSES OF TREATMENT. Seasoning: 
 This is to be accomplished by subjecting the timber 
 to the action of live steam for a period of from 
 five to seven hours at a pressure of 35 to 55 pounds 
 per square inch, the temperature not at any time ex- 
 ceeding 275 F. unless the timber be water-soaked, 
 in which case it may reach 285 F. for the first half 
 of the period. At the expiration of the steaming 
 the chamber shall be entirely emptied of sap and 
 water by drawing off at the bottom. As soon as the 
 chamber is cleared of all sap and water a vacuum of 
 not less than 20 inches shall be set up and maintained 
 in the chamber, for a period of from five to eight 
 hours, or until the discharge from the vacuum pump 
 has no odor or taste, the temperature in the cham- 
 ber being maintained at between 100 and 130 F. The 
 chamber being again emptied of all sap and water 
 the oil is to be admitted, the vacuum pump being 
 worked at its full speed until the chamber is filled 
 with oil. As soon thereafter as is practicable such 
 a pressure shall be set up as shall cause the entire 
 charge of timber to absorb . . . pounds of oil 
 within . . . per cent more or less (at a mini- 
 mum penetration of i^ inches in round timber for 
 a treatment of 12 pounds of oil per cubic feet, con- 
 stituting a basis for determining the penetration due 
 to a treatment of any specific Quantity of oil) . . . 
 inches from all exposed surfaces. The depth of the 
 penetration being ascertained by boring the treated 
 piece with an auger, making a hole not more than 
 4 inch in diameter, such pieces as are found not to 
 
 113 
 
have the required penetration being returned to the 
 chamber with a subseouent charge for further treat- 
 ment. 
 
 INSPECTION. Inspection shall be made as the 
 work progresses, and at as early a date as is prac- 
 ticable, in order that there may be a minimum loss 
 of time and materials due to rejections. 
 
 The inspector, or other authorized agent of the 
 purchaser, shall have reasonable notice of the inten- 
 tion on the part of the contractor to begin the treat- 
 ment of a charge of timber, and he shall have at all 
 times during the treatment of the timber under his 
 charge access to the works, and all reasonable and 
 necessary facilities for ascertaining that all the re- 
 quirements of this specification are complied with. 
 Such "reasonable facilities" providing opportunity, 
 at the proper time, for measuring all timber, treat- 
 ment-chambers, oil-tanks, etc., and for taking sam- 
 ples of the oil being used, for analysis, as often as 
 he may deem necessary. 
 
 NOTE. All cut ends, mortises, tenons, and other 
 incisions of the original surface of creosoted timber 
 should be protected by not less than four coats of 
 creosote oil, applied boiling hot with a brush or mop. 
 In the case of mooring piles, fender piles, and other 
 timber having the cut end exposed to the weather, 
 the portions so exposed should have, in addition to 
 the creosote oil, a heavy final coat of a paste made 
 of equal parts of unslaked lime and creosote oil, 
 applied hot. 
 
 NOTES ON CREOSOTING. 
 SOUTHERN PACIFIC PROGRAMME. 
 
 Naphthalene, requires 170 deg. Fahr. to liquefy. 
 Spec. Grav. at 60 deg. 1.050 Be. 
 
 Programme. 
 
 (1) Vacuum 24 inches ten minutes. 
 
 (2) Steam to temp. 125 deg. Fahr., 15 to 20 min- 
 utes. 
 
 114 
 
115 
 
ft 
 
 fi 
 
 X 
 
 3| 
 
 I 
 
 o 
 
 I 
 
 116 
 
117 
 
I 
 
 T 
 s 
 
 118 
 
BE 
 
 UL 
 
 '""'^^^ I 
 
 ~' ff ~Zr*~r/3 
 
 FIG. 53 UNLOADING TANK FOB CREOSOTE 
 
 119 
 
g 
 
 E 
 
 I 
 
 SPECIAL CftOSS FOR IMS IDE PIPES 
 SCALE I" TO T 
 
 120 
 
(3) Vacuum, 15 to 20 minutes. 
 
 (4) Live steam at 30 Ibs., 40 minutes, and kept up 
 five (5) hours, temp, not above 250 deg. Fahr. 
 
 (5) Blow off steam, 40 minutes. 
 
 (6) Third vacuum to 24 to 26 inches for 90 min- 
 utes. 
 
 (7) Introduce creosote oil at 170 deg. Fahr. and 
 hold at loo Ibs. two hours. 
 
 (8) Then force back and withdraw charge. 
 Charge requiring about n hours to complete, in- 
 cluding introduction and removal of charge. 
 
 Notes. The Great Northern Railway of Ireland 
 requires temperature of oil to be 120 deg. Fahr. and 
 to be held under pressure of 100 Ibs. for three hours. 
 
 RECORD OF CREOSOTING SOUTHERN 
 PACIFIC RY. 
 
 The table given on the following page is compiled 
 by John D. Isaacs, C. E. Engineer of Maintenance of 
 Way of the Southern Pacific Railway. The table is 
 a volume in itself in the way of valuable and author- 
 itative information. The absorption of 1.15 gallons 
 to 1.18 gallons is equal to about ten pounds to the 
 cubic foot and $15.96 to $17.38 per M. B. M. is about 19 
 to 20 cents per cubic foot. Taking the mean, 20 cents, 
 a 6"x8" 8-foot tie would cost 53.4 cents and an aver- 
 age tie of 3.2 cubic feet, 64 cents each. 
 
 121 
 
STATEMENT SHOWING COST OF CREOSOTING MA- 
 TERIAL AT THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC Com- 
 PANY WOOD PRESERVING WORKS 
 FOR THE YEAR ENDING 
 
 JUNE 30, 1902. 
 At Oakland. Gal. 
 
 e<j 
 
 2 
 Eg 
 
 Ft. B. M. 
 Treated. 
 
 flo . 
 
 O*g 02 
 
 leg 
 
 03 <D+J 
 
 &* 
 
 Cost of Treatment per 1,000 Ft. 
 B. M. In Dollars. 
 
 
 
 <u 
 
 S 
 
 Labor. 
 
 1 Mainte- 
 nance. 
 
 Oil waste 
 and 
 Water. 
 
 Total. 
 
 July 
 
 829,128 
 
 1.15 
 
 13.45 
 
 .75 
 
 1.62 
 
 .05 
 
 15.97 
 
 August. . 
 
 392,580 
 
 1.12 
 
 12.34 
 
 .08 
 
 1.67 
 
 .66 
 
 .03 
 
 15.68 
 
 Sept .... 
 
 112,236 
 
 1.15 
 
 12.68 
 
 .78 
 
 2.10 
 
 .28 
 
 .06 
 
 19.88 
 
 October.. 
 
 Not in 
 
 operati 
 
 on 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Nov 
 Dec 
 
 545,160 
 912,792 
 839,964 
 
 1.15 
 1.13 
 1.15 
 
 12.56 
 12.27 
 2'47 
 
 .71 
 .73 
 
 .72 
 
 1.68 
 1.43 
 1.37 
 
 1.42 
 .24 
 
 .69 
 
 .05 
 .04 
 .05 
 
 16.43 
 14.71 
 15.30 
 
 Jan. 1902 
 
 Feby 
 
 Not in 
 
 operati 
 
 on 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 March... 
 
 Not in 
 
 operati 
 
 on 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 April.... 
 
 478,476 
 
 1.15 
 
 12.45 
 
 .87 
 
 1.94 
 
 1.91 
 
 .08 
 
 17.25 
 
 May 
 
 98,760 
 
 1.15 
 
 13.19 
 
 .65 
 
 1.23 
 
 5.17 
 
 .12 
 
 29.36 
 
 June 
 
 Not in 
 
 operati 
 
 on 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total.... 
 
 4210,116 
 
 1.15 
 
 12.63 
 
 .77 
 
 1.60 
 
 .91 
 
 .05 
 
 15.96 
 
 At Latha 
 
 m, Ore. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 June, '02. 
 
 208,613 
 
 1.18 
 
 12.83 
 
 .61 
 
 3.90 
 
 .01 
 
 .02 
 
 17.38 
 
 122 
 

 RUTGER PROCESS. 
 ZINC CREOSOTE PROCESS. 
 
 Impregnation with Chloride of Zinc solution with an 
 Admixture of Tar Oil Containing Carbolic Acid, 
 According to a Process Invented and Introduced by 
 Julius Rutgers. 
 
 The process consists of three operations: 
 
 1. Steaming the timber. 
 
 2. Producing a vacuum and admitting the pre- 
 serving fluid. 
 
 3. The application of the pressure pump. 
 
 The impregnation is to be carried on by exactly 
 the same process as prescribed for the chloride of 
 zinc solution alone, in the preceding part A of this 
 specification. The same conditions will obtain con- 
 cerning the composition of the chloride of zinc solu- 
 tion and guarantee for the absorption of the pre- 
 serving fluid. While the chloride of zinc solution is 
 being heated, an amount of 2 kg. of tar oil shall be 
 added to the solution for each tie of a length of 2.50 
 m. and over, or 20 kg. tar oil for each cubic meter 
 of timber. 
 
 The mixing of tar oil with chloride of zinc solu- 
 tion shall be done by means of an efficient me- 
 chanical device, and a jet of steam and air. 
 
 COMPOSITION OF THE TAR OIL TO BE 
 USED. 
 
 The tar oil must contain not more than one per 
 cent of oils that boil below 125 deg. C. (257 deg. F.). 
 
 The boiling point of the tar oil as a whole must 
 lie between 150 deg. and 400 deg. Celsius (302 and 
 752 deg. F.) and not more than 25 per cent must 
 become volatile below 235 deg. Celsius (455 deg. F.). 
 
 At least 20 to 25 per cent of its constituents must 
 be acids dissolving in caustic soda lye of 1.15 spec, 
 grav. (oils of the creosote or carbolic acid type). 
 
 123 
 
At 15 deg. Celsius (59 deg. F.) the tar oil must be 
 completely fluid and must be free as possible from 
 naphthalene, so that when distilled in glass vessels, 
 in groups of 50 degrees each (fractional distillation), 
 it should give off not more than 5 per cent of naph- 
 thalene. The specific gravity of the tar oil at 15 deg. 
 Celsius (59 deg. F.) must lie between 1.020 and 
 1-055. 
 
 0. Chanute, M. W. S. E. March 21, 1900. 
 
 "CREOSOTING" BY JULIUS RUTGERS. 
 
 Impregnation with Heated Dead Oil of Tar Con- 
 taining Carbolic Acid, According to a Process 
 Invented and Introduced by Julius Rutgers. 
 The treatment consists of two parts*: 
 
 1. The drying of the timber i. e., withdrawing 
 the moisture from the wood by means of heated oil 
 of tar and the action of an air pump. 
 
 2. Pressing the oil of tar into the wood by means 
 of a pressure pump. 
 
 I. DRYING THE TIMBER. 
 
 The timber to be impregnated is introduced into 
 the impregnating cylinder which is then hermetically 
 sealed. A vacuum of 60 cm. (23.6 in.) of mercury 
 is then produced and kept up for 10 minutes. The 
 oil of tar, previously heated, is then introduced into 
 the cylinder, to such a height that it cannot be 
 "sucked over" by the air pump, the vacuum being 
 continuously maintained. 
 
 The admission of the heated oil of tar is com- 
 pleted t at a single operation or with interruptions, 
 according to the dryness of the timber. 
 
 During or subsequent to the filling, the oil of tar 
 in the cylinder is heated to a temperature of not less 
 than 105 deg. C. (221 deg. F.) and not more than 
 115 deg. C. (239 deg. F.) by means of steam, using 
 a coil lying in the lower part of the impregnating 
 cylinder, or a tubular boiler placed underneath. This 
 heating should occupy a period of at least three 
 
 124 
 
hours. After the required temperature is reached 
 in the cylinder it must be kept up for a further 
 period of 60 minutes, either with or without a 
 vacuum, according as it may be necessary in order 
 to ensure the absorption of the specified amount of 
 oil of tar. 
 
 As soon as the filling of the impregnating cylinder 
 with heated oil of tar begins, it must be connected 
 with the condenser, which serves to condense all 
 the aqueous vapors that escape from the wood and 
 to conduct all the water of condensation into a vessel 
 intended to receive it. This vessel is provided with 
 a water gauge on which the amount of water evap- 
 orated may be read off. 
 
 II. PRESSING IN OF THE OIL OF TAR. 
 
 After the drying of the wood i. e., the removal of 
 water from the wood is completed the tank is 
 filled completely and a pump is put into operation 
 which will produce a pressure of at least 7 atmos- 
 pheres (103 Ibs. per sq. in.). This pressure must be 
 kept up at least 30 minutes for pine or beech wood 
 and 60 minutes for oak, or longer time if it shall 
 prove necessary, in order to insure the absorption 
 of the specified quantity of oil of tar. 
 
 This completes the impregnation of the timber 
 and the oil of tar is then drawn off. 
 
 COMPOSITION OF THE OIL OF TAR. 
 
 The oil of tar must be made from mineral coal tar 
 and must contain not over one per cent of oils that 
 boil below 125 deg. C. (257 deg. F.). The boiling 
 point of the oil of tar as a whole must lie between 
 150 deg. and 400 deg. C. (302 and 752 deg. F.), and 
 the larger part of it, at least 75 per cent of the whole, 
 must not boil below 235 deg. C. (455 deg. F.). 
 
 At least 10 oer cent of its constituents must be 
 acid dissolving in caustic soda lye of 1.15 sp. gr. 
 (Oils of the creosote or carbolic acid type.) 
 
 At 15 deg. C. (59 deg. F.) the oil of tar must be 
 
 125 
 
completely fluid and free from fatty constituents, so 
 that when poured out on the dry end surface of a 
 timber it will soak into the wood immediately and 
 leave only an oily residue. It must further be free 
 as possible from naphthalene and at 15 deg. C. (59 
 deg. F.) must give off no naphthalene. 
 
 It must contain no oil of specific gravity less than 
 0.9 (or at least not over one per cent of such oils), 
 while the specific gravity of the tar oil itself at 15 
 deg. C. (59 deg. F.) must lie between 1.045 and 
 
 1. 10. 
 
 It must also be of such consistency that it is re- 
 tained in the pores of the timber as much as pos- 
 sible after impregnation. Oils made from bitumi- 
 nous substances may be added to the mineral tar 
 oil to an amount not exceeding 15 per cent, but the 
 mixture must possess the same properties as are 
 specified above for mineral tar oil. 
 
 O. Chanute, M. W. S. E. March 21, 1900. 
 
 THE RUPING PROCESS. 
 EMULSIONS OF TAR OIL. 
 
 Owing to the fact that tar impregnation is far the 
 best, but that its general use is prevented by its high 
 price, trials have been made with the view of mak- 
 ing the process cheaper. 
 
 These trials are based on the undoubtedly correct 
 opinion that, considering the high antiseptic quali- 
 ties of tar, only minor quantities would be sufficient 
 to protect wood against decay in all its parts caoable 
 of impregnation. 
 
 The trials began with the object of introducing 
 vaporized tar into the wood, but they failed merely 
 because tar oil vaporizes at from 250 to 300 centi- 
 grades of heat. Wood being unable to stand such 
 a high temperature and because the vapor con- 
 denses on the outer layers of the wood. 
 
 Therefore the trials were changed inasmuch as 
 the tar was thinned i. e., diluted with water. 
 
 126 
 
At the same time two methods have been proposed 
 in this respect. 
 
 According to the first, the wood is impregnated 
 in a tar-oil emulsion obtained by mixing the tar-oil 
 with a watery solution of resinous soap. The water 
 of the emulsion is later removed from the wood by 
 drying, the other ingredients remaining in it. In 
 this emulsion the tar is distributed into innumer- 
 able globulets enclosed in soap, and by this means 
 prevented from reuniting. But the tar enclosed in 
 this manner is hardly able to come in direct con- 
 tact with the walls of the cells and therefore cannot 
 produce its high antiseptic effect. 
 
 According to the other method resinous oil is 
 treated with concentrated sulphuric acid and the 
 produce obtained in this manner is used as a dis- 
 solving means for the tar-oil, which then can be 
 mixed with water. But this is questionable, whether 
 the acid has not so bad effect on the tar-oil that the 
 latter loses its quality as a first-class antiseptic. 
 
 Both the processes, however, have a common 
 fault. 
 
 In thus impregnating wood, water is the only in- 
 gredient of the emulsion that penetrates into all 
 parts capable of impregnation, not the tar itself. 
 The globules of tar can on certain places only 
 penetrate a few centimeters into it, owing to the 
 filtering capabilities of the wood. 
 
 How powerful the filtering qualities of wood are 
 can be seen by the fact that it is capable of separa- 
 ting the salts from salt solutions, which is all the 
 more surprising because there does not exist any 
 salt in concrete particles, as is the case with emul- 
 sions. This quality of wood has been applied in 
 trials to make water drinkable by pressing it through 
 wood. 
 
 Under these circumstances it should be clear to 
 anybody that, as already mentioned, in impregna- 
 ting with an emulsion the particles of tar are al- 
 ready kept back by the upper layers of the wood and 
 
 127 
 
that consequently only the water can penetrate into 
 the interior of it. 
 
 THE PROCESS. 
 
 According to the previous explanation a practical, 
 lasting and at the same time cheap preservation of 
 wood, especially of railway sleepers, telegraph poles 
 and mining timber, can be effected neither by the 
 noted metallic salt impregnation nor by the above 
 mentioned tar impregnation. Knowing this, our 
 firm tried to solve the problem by another way and 
 after many attempts of the kind, our partner, M. 
 Ruping owing to the encouragement of Geheimer 
 Postrat Christiani finally succeeded in inventing a 
 method of tar impregnation, which is exempt from 
 the faults of the other methods. 
 
 Whilst by the former methods of tar impregnation 
 the cells, pores and other cavities are entirely filled 
 with tar, in consequence of which it may be called 
 full-cell tar impregnation, or for ^shortness, full cell 
 impregnation, our process is devised to do exactly 
 the reverse. 
 
 The cells are intended to remain more or less 
 empty, just as is wanted, and only their walls are 
 to be coated or impregnated with tar-oil, a process 
 which can be called empty cell tar impregnation, or, 
 for shortness, empty cell impregnation. 
 
 Before entering upon the explanation of this new 
 process we ought to shortly mention the usual tar 
 impregnation in order to explain more definitely the 
 differences between the two processes. 
 
 In the so-called full cell impregnation the wood, 
 after drying in the open air, is put into an iron 
 boiler, which has to be made a vacuum, so that 
 even the air enclosed in the cells of the wood be 
 removed. Then the tar-oil is caused to enter the 
 imoregnating boiler, and afterward the fluid is 
 kept under a pressure of from 5 to 8 atmospheres, 
 by which means it will be forced into the cells of 
 the wood. Finally the pressure is taken away and 
 
 128 
 
after removing the unabsorbed tar remaining in the 
 boiler the process of impregnation is finished. 
 
 In the new Ruping process the seasoned wood is 
 for some time (from about a half hour to an hour) 
 exposed to a pressure of 5 atmospheres in ^the boiler 
 F so that all the cells must be filled with air. 
 
 This is the principal difference between the old 
 and the new method: with the former the air was 
 removed from the wood cells by vacuum, whereas on 
 the contrary with the latter, the wood is filled with 
 compressed air. 
 
 Without reducing the pressure in the impregnating 
 boiler F, the warmed impregnating fluid is then 
 forced from the tar reservoir T into the impregna- 
 ting boiler F by means of a somewhat higher pres- 
 sure, say of about 5^ atmospheres. In proportion 
 to the amount of tar entering the impregnating 
 boiler F, air is permitted to escape through the valve 
 V, in order to make room for the required amount 
 of fluid. At the same time, however, it must be 
 kept in mind only to let such a quantity of air 
 escape as cannot impair the consistency of the pres- 
 sure of 5 atmospheres. 
 
 When the wood in the boiler F is completely cov- 
 ered with the fluid, the pressure, according to the 
 dimensions and qualities of the material, is to be 
 increased up to 15 atmospheres. Under this in- 
 creased pressure the fluid will enter into the cells 
 of the wood. 
 
 Now, one should believe that though the violent 
 advancing of the fluid (in this case of the tar) 
 the compressed air contained in the wood must be 
 forced into the interior of it and there form a kind 
 of basin which would render an impregnation of 
 this part impossible, but this, according to trials 
 made on a large scale, has proved not to be true. 
 Owing to the high pressure, the tar-oil, in conse- 
 quence of the capalarity of the wood and the ad- 
 hesion, moves along the cell walls into the inmost 
 parts of the wood, soaking them entirely, by which 
 the compressed air contained in the cells will be 
 
 129 
 
more compressed and at the same time entirely 
 enclosed by the advancing tar. 
 
 When the material is sufficiently impregnated, the 
 pressure is to be reduced and the fluid is permitted 
 to go back into the reservoir T. 
 
 The compressed air enclosed in the cells will, with 
 great energy, through its expansion, force as much 
 of the impregnating fluid out of the wood as does 
 not stick to the cell walls. 
 
 This is what forms the principal effect in the 
 Ruping process. 
 
 Accordingly there can remain no more fluid in 
 the wood than is exactly necessary for impregnating 
 or coating and soaking the cell walls, etc., which is 
 the only important object in view in the preserva- 
 tion of wood. 
 
 The oozing of the superfluous tar can be still 
 increased and accelerated by exposing the impreg- 
 nated wood to the effects of a vacuum for some 
 time. Of course, in each case the pressure can be 
 fixed in such a way that only the quantity of fluid, 
 which is wanted, remains in the cells of the im- 
 pregnated wood. 
 
 Refer to "The Ruping Process," by Mr. M. Ru- 
 ping. Patented in Germany, No. 138,933; patented 
 in England, No. 6844; patented in U. S. A., No. 
 709,799. 
 
 THE HASSELMANN PROCESS. 
 
 COST OF CHANGING BARNETT PLANT TO USE THE 
 SYSTEM. 
 
 First, and most important in cost, will be two 
 large bricked and plastered cisterns to hold the solu- 
 tion used. These cisterns should be 20 feet in diam- 
 eter in the clear and 8 feet deep, with plank cover- 
 ing about at level of the ground. These could be 
 placed outside the rear of the building and will 
 have to be connected with the retort to be used 
 for the purpose, by a system of ample large pipe 
 by which the solutions will be quickly conveyed 
 back and forth. 
 
 130 
 
131 
 
A pump of considerable size will be required in 
 connection with these cisterns to discard the solu- 
 tion for a new lot. It can be a light lift cheap 
 form of pump. 
 
 Second The steam provisions you have are am- 
 ple, so is the steam connections to the retort, ample; 
 but I think it would be well to add another pipe 
 connection, entering the lower dome through the 
 3-foot plugged tap and terminating in a nozzle en- 
 tering the end of an open 3-foot pipe six or eiiarht 
 feet long, securely fastened to the bottom sheet of 
 the retort, all to be covered with strong netting to 
 prevent injury from moving the charges over it. 
 The nozzle need not be over one inch diameter, 
 and its action will be to cause a strong current 
 lengthwise of the retort and at the same time aid 
 in bringing the solution to the boiling point. (This, 
 I believe, would serve a good purpose with the 
 chloride solution as well in the zinc-tannin process, 
 preventing the chloride from settline while it is 
 quiescent under pressure.) 
 
 For the purpose of proper agitation of the solu- 
 tion in the cistern, an air pipe should be brought 
 from the compressor for this purpose, say i l /2 
 inches. 
 
 No pressure pumps are needed, as the pressure is 
 produced by the use of live steam introduced di- 
 rectly into the solution in the retort. 
 
 The retort is charged with the solution by means 
 of the vacuum and to fill the retort sufficiently the 
 vacuum pump must be kept running until the filling 
 is quite complete. 
 
 Third Two iron tanks are required for mingling 
 the chemicals ; should be 10 feet diameter and 8 feet 
 deep, set on the ground and connected with the cis- 
 terns, so that their contents may be quickly trans- 
 ferred. 
 
 Other minor items will probably come up during 
 the undertaking, but they will probably be trifling 
 in cost. 
 
 The process, as I understand, contemplates two 
 
 132 
 
distinct treatments or boilings to be separated by an 
 interval of two to three days that the first applica- 
 tion have time to disseminate through the piece; 
 consequently eight or ten runs of the first can be 
 made, then the other can follow. If plenty of cars 
 are at hand, the charge can be held on the cars, 
 otherwise they must be unloaded and reloaded. 
 
 The first application consists of the salts of iron 
 (presumably Fe-2), sulphate of aluminum (pre- 
 sumably alum.) and sulphate of copper (presumably 
 blue vitriol), in the proportion of one of the chem- 
 icals to 30 of water (presumably in weight). 
 
 The second application is composed of calcium 
 chloride (Calc-2) and milk of lime (calcium hy- 
 drate), in the proportion of one pint to 50 of the 
 former and one to 40 of the latter. 
 
 REPORT OF THE HASSELMANN SYSTEM 
 
 OF IMPREGNATION OF TIMBER. 
 
 OPERATION. 
 
 First, the timber is loaded on cars and put in the 
 retorts, same as other systems; the retorts are then 
 closed and a vacuum is pumped for one hour or 
 more; after which the solution is turned in with the 
 vacuum still on. When retort is very near filled 
 the main valve is closed, and live steam is turned 
 into the solution and distributed through by a per- 
 forated pipe; the solution is then heated to 245 
 degrees to 260 degrees Fahr., which will indicate a 
 gauge pressure of about 35 Ibs. The timber is then 
 held in this boiling solution for a time from two to 
 three hours, and then the solution is drawn off; or, 
 as in practice, Mr. Weinier, the man in charge, says 
 is changed from one retort to the other in waiting, 
 then the timber is taken from retort and is ready 
 for shipment. The process is very simple. 
 
 SOLUTION OF BATH. 
 Is a mixture of one and one-half per cent solu- 
 
 133 
 
tion of sulphate of copper, a one-half per cent solu- 
 tion of sulphate of aluminum, and potassium of sul- 
 phate, in proportion accordingly to the condition of 
 the timber, which seems to be one of the secrets of 
 the system. 
 
 "THE CREO-RESINATE PROCESS." 
 
 This process* differs from the ordinary creosoting 
 process in that instead of using live steam to ster- 
 ilize the blocks, which are 4 by 4 by 8 inches, dry 
 heat applied at a temperature of 250 degrees Fahren- 
 heit, and under pressure of one hundred pounds to 
 the square inch is used. The air pressure prevents 
 the checking of the block, and the heat and pres- 
 sure are held until the center of the blocks reaches 
 212 degrees, thereby destroying all germ life in the 
 timber, which is the primary cause of decay. The 
 heat is then reduced to 150 degrees, after which a 
 vacuum of 26 inches is created, under which the 
 cylinder is run full of creo-resinate mixture, which 
 consists of 50 per cent creosote oil, 48 per cent resin 
 and 2 per cent formaldehyde. Pressure is then ap- 
 plied by means of force pumps, and the mixture is 
 forced into the blocks until every pore is pene- 
 trated and 22 pounds per cubic foot of the mixture 
 is absorbed. The blocks are then run into another 
 cylinder and treated with a solution of lime at a 
 temperature of 212 degrees, and under pressure of 
 150 pounds to the square inch. They are allowed 
 to cool off gradually, and are then ready for mar- 
 ket. 
 
 NOTE. The author has examined specimens of 
 paving blocks treated by this process and would think 
 it a very good process for paving blocks. No infor- 
 mation as to mode or cost of treating has been ob- 
 tained. 
 
 *Controlled and used by the United States Wood 
 Preserving Company, New York. 
 
 134 
 
THE VALUE OF TREATMENT OF TIMBER 
 
 It is our desire here to give a conservative view, 
 as we in searching for the truth can hardly afford to 
 deceive ourselves or the interested public and those 
 especially concerned. On the other hand, it would 
 be equally foolish to depreciate results when we have 
 the means to arrive at what is demonstrated as 
 probably near the truth; as near as human intellect 
 can discern and near enough to be accepted as prac- 
 tically true. 
 
 What is here advanced is the summing up of ob- 
 servations and study of the subject. This investiga- 
 tion has required many months of close study, during 
 which the closest and most searching analysis of the 
 recorded results with the various collateral influences, 
 have been considered and allowed for. To the manage- 
 ment of the A. T. & S. F. Railway Company is due 
 the highest degree of credit for the careful and com- 
 prehensive record that has been kept and to this in a 
 great measure is due the conclusion now proposed to 
 be given. The record here dealt with closes with the 
 record of 1902, none later being available, seventeen 
 years from the start in 1885, an elapse of time suffi- 
 cient to give something sufficiently definite on which 
 to base measurably reliable conclusions. Unfortu- 
 nately the record of tie removals was not taken up until 
 1897, twelve years after the first ties were treated, so 
 that the number of ties failing during that interval 
 will necessarily have to be estimated. 
 
 The removals of ties treated in the years subse- 
 quent to 1897, down to 1900, however, will give us an 
 approximate rate of removal in the earlier years that 
 will guide somewhat. By means of this record a close 
 approximate is made of the percentage of the treated 
 ties removed each year. We take it for granted that 
 measurably correct conclusions can be derived from 
 the mean of a large number of results for the same 
 
 135 
 
lapse of time, and further, that causes acting as does 
 the decay of timber under similar conditions, in various 
 periods during its history will, if graphically recorded, 
 form a curve. In line with this we have first laid 
 down a line showing the percentage of ties removed 
 each year, being the mean for all the years recorded, 
 that portion not covered by the record being derived 
 from the mean of removals in the early years of those 
 subsequently treated. The bottom line of the table 
 shows the percentages so derived, and the curved line 
 "a" on the diagram the same graphically disposed. 
 
 We find, however, that according to this the ties 
 treated in 1885 should have been exhausted in the 
 seventeenth year, while it has been found by some- 
 what extended inspection that many of the 1885 ties 
 are still in service and good for many years longer. 
 There are probably 20,000 of these ties in yet, cer- 
 tainly 15,000, hence we are obliged to reduce the esti- 
 mated percentages for the earlier Years where we 
 have no record, and apply it to the 1885 ties alone, as 
 shown by the line " b " on the diagram. A careful and 
 extended inspection of the condition of all the ties 
 so far as extended shows that those treated in the 
 earlier years are giving a better record than most of 
 the subsequent years, so far as now determined. It 
 is not for me to say here what are the reasons, but the 
 result as shown in the present conditions of the ties of 
 the various years is patent. The 1885 ties and those 
 treated in the three or four years subsequent (1886, 
 1887 and 1888) are almost identical in general appear- 
 ance, with condition as to soundness almost in the 
 same ratio, and can safely be expected to give a rec- 
 ord eventually about equal to those of 1885. They 
 are characterized by the manner in which decay pro- 
 gresses, commencing at the surface in contact with 
 the earth, and continuing, the fiber being destroyed 
 regularly in succession as it passes upward, leaving 
 many of those ties now fourteen to seventeen years' 
 service, with almost half of its timber sound enough 
 to make good fuel. 
 
 Those of subsequent years show that decay spreads 
 through the body of the tie at a much earlier period. 
 
 136 
 

 Whether this is due to poorer quality of timber, leav- 
 ing the timber on the ground without being piled to 
 dry, or to improper or hasty treatment, cannot now 
 be said. The two former are the most probable 
 causes, however. 
 
 That the results here shown by these earlier treated 
 ties should be taken as a sample of what can be done 
 seems reasonable. All but a few of these ties were 
 treated by the "Wellhouse" or Zinc-tannin process, 
 and have given a record that should not have been 
 lowered in subsequent treatment. Here we have up to 
 1900 enough treated ties to lay 1,383 miles of track, 
 3,812,500 ties treated, removals in same time at an 
 average of 8 year or 11,000 year miles, equal to 
 961,654 ties, or 87.4 ties per annum per mile, the mean 
 number of ties removed in ordinary practice being 
 from 250 to 300 where ordinary run of ties is used. 
 
 In this tabulation all ties removed, whether on 
 account of decay or of breakage from derailments or 
 from premature removal in relaying rails or in ballast- 
 ing are included. It is well known in practice that 
 many ties that may still serve for several years are, 
 after being disturbed by relaying rails or in ballast- 
 ing, removed to give place to new ties. The propor- 
 tion of removals for other causes than decay is 
 estimated at not less than five per cent and may be 
 as high as ten per cent, but as this loss is common 
 in all cases, it is deemed best not to consider this in 
 connection with this matter, but to include them all 
 in this estimate. 
 
 Right here it will be proper to survey the subject 
 of inspection with reference to the " personal equa- 
 tion," that effect that creates a variety of impressions 
 almost as varied as the number of observers. The 
 writer believes that the searcher must trust to ex- 
 tended and repeated observation until the mind has 
 absorbed and assimilated every aspect of the subject 
 so that instinct is trained, as it often becomes, in, for 
 instance, the recognition of the great variety of tim- 
 bers, as often occurs with experienced lumbermen, in 
 which case he can unerringly name each variety 
 without being able to put this description into words. 
 
 137 
 
This is found to be equally true in recognizing the 
 various conditions shown during the years of ex- 
 posure by the ties in track. Verifying this is the 
 corroborating experience of others, who have aided 
 much in this investigation. 
 
 In making the recent inspection of the Santa Fe 
 it was found that Mr. Daniel Elliott, the roadmaster 
 who had been on his division ever since a short time 
 previous to the commencement of using the treated 
 ties, could walk along the track and almost invariably 
 name the year the tie was treated without looking at 
 the brand of the stamping hammer. On the other 
 hand, a large majority of those that had equally good 
 opportunity to observe could see little or no difference 
 between one and another. In one case a section 
 foreman who confessed to have been engaged on a 
 section for over ten years, where treated ties were in 
 the track from some previous year, to the extent of 
 twenty-five per cent, was unaware of their presence 
 and could tell nothing as to their value compared with 
 cedar ties along side of them, which were cut one- 
 quarter of the depth by the rail, while the treated ties 
 were almost invariably sound and but little rail-worn. 
 We thus can easily conceive how the value of the 
 results can be beclouded by lack of careful intelligent 
 study. 
 
 In the inspection of treated ties care has been 
 taken to gather all the information possible from 
 those treated by the same process outside of that on 
 the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Those 
 treated at Chicago by the Chicago Tie Works and 
 distributed on various portions of the Chicago, Rock 
 Island and Pacific, some of which have been in serv- 
 ice for fifteen to seventeen years, the result seems to 
 be equally good as those on the Santa Fe. The 
 methods used in treatment are essentially the same 
 as those introduced at Las Vegas in 1885, and it is be- 
 lieved will make just as good a showing. Some 
 samples of treated hemlock on the C. R. I. & P. and 
 also in the Rock Island and Peoria Railroad with a 
 number of samples from the A. T. & S. F. were ex- 
 hibited at the last spring meeting of the American 
 
 138 
 
Railway Engineers and Maintenance of Way Asso- 
 ciation in which the fiber of the timber was still sound 
 at fourteen to sixteen years. 
 
 The treatment of Texas pine commenced in 1897. 
 After six years of exposure, some begin to show de- 
 cay, but this is mainly confined to the lowland short 
 leaf pine (Loblolly). A careful inspection of two 
 miles of the Dallas branch showed one in sixty of 
 these ties to be decayed so as to justify removal. The 
 roadmaster, however, thinks that a much larger pro- 
 portion are failing. It is, however, too early to draw 
 anything like definite conclusions in this case. The 
 climatic conditions there are not so favorable as in 
 New Mexico or Colorado. Ties made from this kind 
 of timber in Eastern Texas have been known to rot 
 so as to be worthless in two years and not one- in a 
 thousand fit to put in track in three years. 
 
 On the same line at six years, the treated ties 
 which were cut from heart timber or well matured 
 trees were very much better than the Loblolly pole 
 ties before mentioned. It will be seen that a small 
 percentage of the treated ties in New Mexico give 
 out in the sixth year and scarcely any before that, 
 while from the recent inspection some of the 1885 ties 
 will be in service from appearance up to nearly 
 twenty-four years. 
 
 The value of the treatment by the "Wellhouse" 
 process must be conceded, taking such records as 
 are now available both as to this process and that of 
 the Burnett or simple chloride of zinc, to be the best 
 probably in proportion of near twelve years for the 
 former and eight years for the latter, or fifty per cent 
 in favor of the former. It must, however, be remem- 
 bered that the statistics are also subject to the "human 
 (not personal) equation" and that it may be years 
 before this question can be settled, but, to go back to 
 the main question of the economic value of either; 
 the one's relation to the other, depending as it does 
 somewhat on climatic conditions may be indetermi- 
 nate for the present. 
 
 Whether it is determined or not, the reduction of 
 renewals from "twenty-five per cent to five," as once 
 
stated by a railroad official who has been in a position 
 all the time to judge as well as anybody living, even 
 if proved to be too sanguine, which it does not appear 
 to be at the present time, and in view of the foregoing 
 figures, should go far to settle the question of economy. 
 
 The renewals now seem to be under four per cent, 
 or about 100 ties per mile per year. It is, however, a 
 fact that the untreated mountain pine ties first laid 
 in New Mexico, did come out at the ratio stated 
 and the tie question at that time was such as to appall 
 the management. 
 
 The appearance of the treated timber is found to 
 guide somewhat as to the condition as to progress of 
 decay and may guide in determining the reasons of 
 failure, whether due to failure to carry out the proper 
 treatment or to other causes. 
 
 As before stated, the 1885 to 1888 ties are char- 
 acterized by a certain freedom from longitudinal and 
 end checks, while those of subsequent years have the 
 checking quite marked, giving the tie the appearance 
 of being split into many strips. When these ties are 
 taken out they go into strips sure enough. Another 
 feature is the manner in which the decay progresses. 
 A case in point will illustrate the way that decay 
 progressed in the 1885-1888 ties. A large number of 
 these ties after three years in track in one marked 
 case, were broken in two pieces by the engine driver 
 wheel flange in a bad derailment. Examination 
 showed a layer of decayed wood on the bottom and 
 up the side as far as the earth was in contact, about 
 one-quarter of an inch in thickness in which the wood 
 was entirely decayed, the balance of the tie remain- 
 ing entirely free from appearance of decay, not even 
 incipient. This applied to every tie, nearly a hundred 
 in number. 
 
 Quite a number of the ties treated the same year, 
 1885, or the two or three following years, when re- 
 moved in the course of the recent renewals after from 
 fourteen to seventeen years' service, showed the 
 same method of progress of decay, i. e., from the 
 bottom upward so that about half of the volume of 
 
 140 
 
the tie was gone, but the remaining upper half was 
 still sound enough for good fuel. 
 
 Ties treated in some of the subsequent years 
 showed decay permeating the body of the tie irregu- 
 larly and the tie when removed would go all to pieces. 
 
 The mean life is that which represents the sum of 
 the life of all divided by the number, and this 
 method is here used and is evidently the only prac- 
 tical measure. 
 
 Perhaps the best illustration of this manner of 
 progress of decay will be the facts as they occur. 
 
 The year in which the ties are put in the track is 
 the starting point. The year in which the first ties 
 fail is another step, the rate from there on is the curve 
 of failure and the year at which the last are removed 
 is the culmination. It is here attempted to place a 
 close approximate value to these various terms. If 
 every piece was exactly alike in texture, density or 
 soundness, all should fail at once, but this is never 
 so. It would be very interesting to know what the 
 curve representing the life of the untreated timber 
 of various kinds really is. This so far seems never 
 to have been recorded so far as we know, and here 
 is a difficulty we encounter when comparing the 
 treated ties with the same untreated. The life of the 
 Rocky Mountain pine has been variously estimated 
 at from a mean of from five years down to four or 
 even below, and the fact, according to some of those 
 best versed, is that four and a half years is about 
 right. Then if the " Wellhouse " treatment gives a 
 mean of near twelve years, we have nearly trebled 
 the life. Mr. Elliott is quite sure that this estimate 
 is a conservative one, and the figures so far indicate 
 nearer fourteen years than twelve. 
 
 The Wellhouse process, it is claimed, derives its 
 advantage over the simple chloride of zinc (Burnett) 
 process, in this, that the leatheroid produced on the 
 surface and in the end pores of the wood by the com- 
 bination of the glue and the tannic acid retards the 
 ingress of water. That it does so seems to be quite 
 well authenticated. 
 
 In the simple process of immersing one sample 
 
 141 
 
block of wood after being treated and a similar block 
 say from the same tie without treating will corrobo- 
 rate this, it being found that the untreated block will 
 at first absorb the water the most rapidly, although 
 eventually the treated block will absorb the most. 
 The latter effect seems to be due to physical changes 
 in the wood during treatment, the solubles in the 
 timber having been dissolved and removed by the 
 cooking. 
 
 Critics claim that the deposit of the glue is so 
 superficial that it cannot do much good. It is true 
 that owing to the viscosity of the glue it cannot pene- 
 trate the wood to any appreciable depth on the sides, 
 but yet it does penetrate to a considerable depth at 
 the ends by means of the sap ducts. It is the result 
 that justifies its use, however, after all, and no spe- 
 cious theorizing can upset the facts. 
 
 The writer has felt it a duty to embody the result 
 of observation and study of this matter of timber 
 preservation, using the utmost candor, giving facts as 
 they seem to be well authenticated. 
 
 Time and further experience may show some of 
 these conclusions to be fallacious and as regards the 
 figures given and the resulting conclusions and de- 
 ductions may prove sanguine but what the figures say 
 cannot be gainsaid without future data only to be 
 gained by the lapse of time. For instance the figures 
 seem to show that the mean life of the treated ties 
 shown might be twenty years. 
 
 This is, however, not conclusive as the next few 
 years may necessitate as much greater renewal of 
 ties from causes such as heavier rolling stock, traffic, 
 etc., or by reason of larger renewals due to lax re 
 moval previous to this time. 
 
 A great many ties may be still in track that should 
 be out or poorer quality of timber may only be avail- 
 able owing to the exhaustion of the supply of the bet- 
 ter class of timber. It is most probable that the Santa 
 Fe estimate of eleven to twelve years is a near ap- 
 proach to the true life of the pine tie, although, as 
 Mr. Mudge properly says, the longer mean life of the 
 later renewals will tend to increase the general 
 average. 
 
 142 
 
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NOTES AND EXPLANATIONS. 
 
 (a) This, No. 44, is a typical specimen of the Texas Loblolly 
 Pine. The hewn pole ties at Somerville and at Greenville are 
 largely of this character. 
 
 (b) No. 55 is short leaf Texas Pine, mostly heart timber, but 
 haviner what is termed "red heart," a condition in which three 
 or four inches of the timber encircling the heart of the tree 
 has reached a dead and softening condition, in which the spring 
 wood is wasted quite away and the solid layers of the summer 
 wood much impaired. Specifications should and usually do 
 reject timber so affected. 
 
 (c) No. 66 is a three-inch section of a New Mexico Mountain 
 Pine, mostly heart timber, which was treated in 1885, the tie being 
 in track over thirteen years and only removed on account of 
 rail wear. At the time it was immersed, it was seemingly as 
 sound and strong as the day it was cut from the tree. It was 
 treated by the Wellhouse process. 
 
 (d) No. 32 is cut from the middle of a 38-foot pile, much the 
 same character as No. 44, Loblolly Texas Pine, in which nearly 
 thirty pounds of creosote oil had been injected per cubic foot. 
 Although not immersed for several months after treating, the 
 lighter portions of the oil readily gave place to the water, smear- 
 ing the surface of the block and floating on the surface of the 
 water. 
 
 (e) Nos. 33 and 34 were blocks cut from chord pieces of the 
 Isletta (Atlantic and Pacific Railway) some time after the re- 
 moval of the bridge, to be replaced by a steel structure, after a 
 service of over twelve years. 
 
 The specimens were cut from the end of the chord piece where 
 packed. 
 
 This timber was treated after framing and before erecting 
 and was treated by the Wellhouse process. 
 
 (f) Nos. 50 and 52 were untreated blocks of southern yellow 
 pine, companion pieces of Nos, 51 and 53, the latter being 
 treated by the Creo-resin process as paving blocks. The same 
 effect of the absorption of the water as in the case of No. 32 
 (d) the creosote oil and also the resins being forced out during 
 the process. The difference in the specific gravity is probably 
 the measure of the percentage of creosote oil and resin injected 
 into the wood and the difference in the amount of moisture in 
 the blocks at the time of immersion is a means for guessing the 
 amount forced out by the water, although not all, as the surface 
 of the blocks were well smeared over with the exuded resin to 
 such an extent as to render it mere guesswork. 
 
 (g) The anomaly of the greater weight of the sap timber 
 over that of heart timber in case of Nos. 26 and 27, is accounted 
 for by the superabundance of resins in No. 27. 
 
 (h) Nos. 54 and 55 are specimen blocks of dead pine supposed 
 to have been killed by a peculiar disease or insect. The timber 
 seems strong and sound, but largely discolored, the discoloration 
 being greatest at the outside next the bark and gradually de- 
 creasing toward the heart, leaving the latter in some cases per- 
 fectly sound. In transverse strength it seems to be unimpaired 
 but under compression lengthwise, its strength is 20 to 30 per 
 cent less than live, sound timber. 
 
 146 
 
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 150 
 
ABSORPTIVE POWERS OF TIMBER. 
 
 A wide range of experience in treating timber for 
 the purpose of preservation from decay, or at least 
 for prolongation of its life by resistance of decay, has 
 taught that the physical structure and condition of 
 the timber is important in connection therewith. 
 
 It is in view of this that the investigations embodied 
 in the tables (A) (B) and (C), are compiled. Much 
 expense and labor has attended this work, prolonged 
 as it has been through several consecutive years. 
 Much valuable assistance has been rendered by 
 various civil engineers and, as the work will be and 
 is now being continued, further interest is invited for 
 which due credit will be given. Without question, 
 much can be learned in this way that is important to 
 the operator of works now and to be engaged in the 
 timber treating business, by a careful study of this 
 matter. It will aid the judgment of the operator in 
 adapting the process to the character of the timber 
 coming to him and result in an economy of both time 
 and expense. 
 
 EXPLANATION OF METHOD. 
 
 For the test of absorptive powers of the timber by 
 immersion, the timber is procured cut to length as 
 nearly as practicable, four inches, so as to present the 
 best possible condition for the action of the capilla- 
 ries. The blocks are first dried to nominal dryness, 
 that is, to such degree of dryness that the wood will 
 absorb or give off the moisture of the atmosphere suc- 
 cessively as the air changes. When this is not prac- 
 ticable, the specimen is dried to this condition after 
 it has gone through the immersion and the moisture 
 at the initial time is determined and added to the ab- 
 sorption as shown as the total at thirty days. The 
 thirty-day column is the quantities for comparison. 
 The samples are weighed, the initial weight being 
 noted, then immersed in pure Lake Michigan water 
 and securely weighted down and there kept continu- 
 ously except during the b-ief time used in weighing 
 
 151 
 
at intermediate times until the thirty days have ex- 
 pired. The volume of the block is determined by 
 measurements and by the further check of weight in 
 water at the close of the test. The unit weight of 
 water is taken for 65 to 70 deg. Fahr., being the uni- 
 form temperature of the laboratory, at .5771 oz. per 
 cu. inch or 62.327 Ibs. per cu. foot. 
 
 OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 It is not the purpose here in the limited condition 
 of these investigations to go into an analysis of results 
 in an extended way, and only such points as bring 
 out the principles hinted at as are most noticeable as 
 relates to their application to the treatment of timber. 
 
 Perhaps no way will better illustrate the effective- 
 ness of the modern plant than a comparison of the 
 results attained with these thirty-day tests with the 
 ordinary one and a half or two hours exposure of the 
 timber to the impregnating solution in the retort. In 
 the one case a block four inches long, exposing all 
 the natural sap ducts of the timber directly to the 
 entrance of the water in the first case, whereas in the 
 latter case the timber never less than eight feet long 
 lacks this facility in a high degree, yet it absorbs 
 more in that brief space of time, and an amount in 
 volume at least 75 per cent of the total voids of the 
 timber. In this connection it must be remembered 
 that during the process of steaming that a considera- 
 ble amount of the condensed steam remains in the 
 timber after the vacuum is drawn and before the so- 
 lution is introduced, and it is altogether probable that 
 this with the solution absorbed, fully occupies every 
 bit of the voids of the timber so that to put in more 
 would be a physical impossibility. A comparison of 
 these results at thirty days corresponds very nearly 
 with the absorption obtained with the same timber at 
 the various treating works now in operation, and it is 
 believed to be of sufficient value to offer to those in- 
 terested. 
 
 152 
 
THE THREE-MOVEMENT PROCESS. 
 
 The Wellhouse process as taught and practiced in 
 1885 consisted of two applications, one of the chloride 
 of zinc (one and one-half per cent strong) with the 
 gelatine (one-half per cent) incorporated with the 
 chloride. This was applied to the timber in the retort 
 under 100 pounds hydraulic pressure for two and a 
 half hours. Following the chloride, the tannin solu- 
 tion (one-half of one per cent strong) was applied un- 
 der like pressure and conditions. No provisions were 
 made to increase the temperature of these solutions 
 above what was acquired by contact with the hot tim- 
 ber in the retort. 
 
 Under these conditions, with a one and one-half 
 per cent solution, the Rocky Mountain pine absorbed 
 from one-quarter to one-half pound of pure chloride 
 per cubic foot, the former for sawed heart pine and 
 the latter for hewn pole ties. This practice was in- 
 troduced by Wellhouse and Mr. Joseph P. Card, M. 
 Am. Soc. C. E., at that time associated with Mr. Well- 
 house, at the time that the Las Vegas Timber Pre- 
 serving Works were installed, and has been followed, 
 with slight exception, in all the work at those works. 
 The results are perhaps as well determined and defi- 
 nite as in case of any known process and practice 
 and perhaps the most satisfactory in results of any 
 except the more expensive process by creosote oil. 
 
 To distinguish this practice from others consisting 
 mainly of a modification of this, we will call this the 
 "two-movement" process. 
 
 There are several modifications suggested by sub- 
 sequent experience, among which are: 
 
 1st. Application of the gelatine in a separate so- 
 lution, thus requiring another movement, hence the 
 designation " three-movement." 
 
 2d. The application of much higher temperature 
 to the various solutions. 
 
 3d. The increase of the strength of the chloride 
 solution used to the end that a greater quantity of the 
 chemical be injected. 
 
 153 
 
Practically, these three points cover those of great- 
 est moment at this time, and we will take them up 
 in the order given. 
 
 The grounds upon which the three-movement 
 practice is advocated is that with the gelatine added 
 to the chloride solution, the former being of a viscous 
 nature, retards the ingress of the chloride and renders 
 it difficult to get enough into the timber. 
 
 It is true of the gelatine that it is impossible to re- 
 duce it to such consistency as that it will penetrate 
 the solid parts of the wood. It can never be reduced 
 to a true solution so that it will be carried into the 
 wood by the water in which it is dissolved, and the 
 greatest possible penetration is where it follows the 
 more or less open ducts of the wood, or cracks and 
 checks that result in or during the drying of the tim- 
 ber. The addition of chemicals to cut or render the 
 gelatine as fluid as possible, or the application of a 
 high degree of temperature, are the agents that will 
 induce the greatest penetration. If the gelatine is 
 used in simple solution, the heat is the agent most 
 effective, and without the heat the glue will spread on 
 the surface of the timber like a coat of grease or 
 paint, and very slightly penetrating the pores or 
 checks of the timber. It is equally true that when 
 the gelatine is incorporated with the chloride, that the 
 latter helps to hold in solution. It also follows, that 
 the large volume of the chloride solution absorbed 
 (about ten times that of either that of the gelatine or 
 tannin when applied alone), that the glue would be 
 more thoroughly introduced in the surface of the tim- 
 ber than is possible if applied separately. 
 
 It is claimed to be possible, too, that if introduced 
 incorporated with the chloride, that a portion of the 
 gelatine will penetrate beyond where it will be 
 reached by the tannic acid, and therefore it will be 
 left in the wood as a seed for decay on account of its ex- 
 treme perishable nature. When the tannic acid is pure 
 it is as thin as water and is a solvent in the true sense, 
 and will penetrate as far as the water goes. Then if 
 we cipher a little, using every day experience as to 
 
 164 
 
the amount of the tannin solution that must enter the 
 timber under the 100 pounds pressure, we find that 
 the timber must be penetrated nearly one inch over 
 its whole surface; more where pores and checks offer 
 free access and less where solid and compact wood 
 prevents. 
 
 The fact that the high results were attained under 
 the process as initiated by Mr. Wellhouse himself, 
 and the further fact that by proper means applied, 
 almost any desired quantity of the chloride can be in- 
 jected under the two-movement process, and in less 
 time for the whole treatment of a charge of timber, 
 would seem to be a sufficient answer. 
 
 NOTE. Since the foregoing notes were written the 
 writer has had some experiences with timbers of the 
 Pacific slope. The fir and the tamarack, especially 
 the latter, is impregnated with difficulty, the volume 
 of absorption being meager as compared to the 
 western and southern pines, hence if high amount of 
 chloride is desired, unusual means must be resorted 
 to. While it has not yet been satisfactorily proven 
 that the glue does reduce the amount of absorption 
 of the chloride, yet in view of this possibility, the 
 separate application of the glue may be justifiable. 
 With these exceptions there is not sufficient reason to 
 prolong the process for the separate application of 
 the glue. 
 
 -^ A careful test at Greenville, Tex., showed no ap- 
 preciable retardation of the absorption of the chloride 
 by the presence of the glue in the chloride solution. 
 This is true wherever the open grained timber is 
 treated, notably the pines of Texas, Colorado and 
 New and Old Mexico. 
 
 155 
 
INCREASE OF STRENGTH OF SOLUTION. 
 
 ^We have seen that heart timber with one-quarter 
 pound of the chloride per cubic foot of timber when 
 in the shape of a 6 in. x 8 in. sawed tie, resulted in a 
 measurably sound tie after it had become useless 
 from rail wear. We may therefore conclude that a 
 less amount would have served equally well. Then 
 we find that the pole tie, mostly sap, having one-third 
 of a pound, has its usefulness prolonged from two to 
 three times the life of an untreated tie of the same 
 character. 
 
 Then why increase the cost of the chloride fifty 
 per cent simply to make sure to get in enough? 
 
 Let us examine the philosophy of the process. It 
 consists of three essential parts or effects. First, the 
 steaming, then the impregnation and lastly the plug- 
 ging up of the outer part of the timber by which the 
 antiseptic introduced is protected from waste. The 
 first frees the timber from those juices that cause the 
 inception of decay and which feed it after it has com- 
 menced, the second introduces the antiseptic proper- 
 ties which, while present in the timber, effectually 
 prevent decay, and the third aids in retaining and pre- 
 venting waste of the preserving properties. 
 
 Not all, by any means, depends upon the antiseptic. 
 The steaming must be prolonged sufficiently to allow 
 the heat to reach the center of the piece, but if this is 
 not done, there will be a section at the center of the 
 tie in which the objectionable juices of the timber will 
 remain and which the antiseptic, when introduced, 
 both by the steam and by the antiseptic must be had, 
 otherwise the work is imperfectly done. The permea- 
 tion by the steam is the paramount result to be 
 secured and even should the amount of the antiseptic 
 be reduced by oversteaming, yet, its permeation is 
 more complete and a little less well distributed, is 
 better than much more confined to the outer portions 
 of the piece. While a stronger solution may put in 
 
 156 
 
the desired pounds, yet such practice cannot be 
 characterized except as waste. 
 
 Fifty per cent increase in the amount of chloride 
 can be figured and amounts to a sum that it is not 
 cared to name, and if it is unnecessary, would not be 
 justified by anything but "speculative reasons," which 
 would hardly pass with business men. 
 
 GREATER AMOUNT OF HEAT. 
 
 As before stated, little attention was paid to the 
 temperature of the two solutions then used. Later 
 investigations by experienced observers have strongly 
 impressed the conviction that heat is a very active 
 element, not only in its application to the charge in 
 the shape of steam by which the saps of the wood are 
 dissolved and expelled and the timber prepared for 
 the free ingress of the solutions, but in the shape of 
 increased temperature to the various solutions as cre- 
 ating more favorable conditions for the desired and 
 necessary chemical actions. In using the two-move- 
 ment process the heating of the chloride solution is 
 important from the fact that with it is carried the gel- 
 atine to which high degree of temperature is neces- 
 sary for best results. Where the gelatine solution is 
 used simple, high temperature is absolutely necessary. 
 With the two-movement process the temperature of 
 the chloride solution keeps measurably high from 
 the heat derived from the steamed timber, hence less 
 heating appliances are necessary. The tannin solu- 
 tion requires some heat to promote its chemical com- 
 bination with the gelatine though not so great a degree 
 but its temperature should be controlled as well as 
 that of the others. 
 
 The improved heating coil for the solution tank 
 shown on page 25 and the retort coil, page 118, en- 
 ables the operator to fully control the temperature so 
 that 150 to 180 F. can be secured, and the retort coil 
 will bring the creosote oil to the boiling point, at 190 
 to 200 F. 
 
 157 
 
DOES CHEMICAL, TREATMENT OF TIES INCREASE 
 
 THE HARDNESS OP THE WOOD AND THE 
 
 HOLDING POWER OF THE SPIKE ? 
 
 J. B. M'NBIL, B. M., SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA R. R. 
 
 Report of a committee presented before the 19th annual 
 
 convention of the Roadmasters' and Maintenance 
 
 of Way Association, Washington, D. C., 
 
 Oct. 8-10, 1901. 
 
 This paper refers only to the zinc-tannin or Wellhouse 
 process of timber preservation, and the committee to whom 
 the subject has been assigned, has made several tests with 
 the treated ties available, and has received the written 
 opinions of persons in different parts of the country who 
 have had experience in the treatment and use of treated 
 timber. 
 
 The consensus of opinion, supported by the tests made 
 by your committee, is that treatment does not increase the 
 hardne^j of the wood, but does increase its density and 
 transverse crushing strength in proportion to the amount of 
 treating material absorbed. But, while the timber is not 
 hardened by the treatment, it is made more flexible and 
 tough, and will, by reason of the increased density of the 
 wood and action of the chemicals used, prevent the rail from 
 cutting into the ties, in proportion to the amount of preserva- 
 tive absorbed, or about 30 per cent in coarse grained pine. 
 
 Common mountain pine, such as is found in New Mexico 
 and Arizona, now largely used as tie timber on western lines, 
 is an open grained, coarse wood, and absorbs, when treated, 
 about 30 per cent of the preservative. Close grained, firm 
 timber absorbs less of the chemicals than does the open 
 grained soft wood, and is, therefore, proportionately less 
 affected by the treatment. 
 
 We find that the spikes, when driven, damage the fiber 
 of the timber less in treated than in untreated timber. The 
 holding power of the spike is not noticeably increased at the 
 time the tie is treated, but increases as the timber dries out, 
 until at the end of from six to nine months, when the timber 
 has become seasoned, a pine tie which has absorbed the 
 asual amount of chloride of zinc, tannin and glue, will have 
 increased the holding power of the track spikes not less than 
 SOuer cent. 
 
 158 
 
SS 
 
 159 
 
ROLLING BEARING FOR JOURNALS OF 
 
 TRAM CARS. 
 TIMBER TREATING PLANT. 
 
 The impossibility of preserving any oil lubricant in 
 consequence of the high degree of heat to which the 
 cars are exposed during steaming, suggests the appli- 
 cation of the rolling bearing. The drawing here deline- 
 ated is one of perhaps many plans for its application. 
 It has the element of simplicity which should prevail 
 throughout the whole car. 
 
 With what degree of success it will cover the diffi- 
 culty can only be determined by trial, both as to ease 
 of draught and of standing the wear. The wheels on 
 these cars are necessarily of small diameter, as it is of 
 the first importance that the area of the load be as 
 near as possible to the full area of the retort, hence 
 a reduction of two inches can be made without appre- 
 ciably increasing the draught, then a corresponding 
 gain is made in increase of the possible loading. 
 
 The cars as now made for the 72 inch (dia.) retort, 
 have wheels ten inches in diameter and two and a 
 quarter inch axle with the ordinary provisions for oil- 
 ing, which are only available after the charge is 
 drawn. The fact is that if the diameters of the wheels 
 were considerably reduced, they would sled and not 
 turn at all, and the whole load would be sledded out. 
 
 When, as heretofore, a powerful wince is used, this 
 heavy draught has not been so appreciable, but now 
 that other and perhaps better kinds of power are 
 being sought, it becomes necessary to meet it. 
 
 Electricity and compressed air now vie for a place 
 or means of power with probability in favor of the 
 latter eventually, both for the yard wince and the 
 locomotor for distant yard service. The steam loco- 
 motive being ruled out by danger of sparks in a large 
 collection of material in the yard, and also for operat- 
 ing the wince owing to the difficulty of conveying 
 steam so far. Electricity is well adapted to both the 
 wince and the yard locomotor. Equally well can the 
 compressed air be applied to each of these purposes 
 
 160 
 
While the latter is more prompt in responding and 
 better in consequence for moving the charge to or 
 from the retort than the electric motor, the two in 
 common have their limitation in the amount of trac- 
 tion they can command. For charging or discharg- 
 ing, the wince is transcendently the best adapted, as 
 this should be done with the greatest care or otherwise 
 serious damage may result to the retort and attach- 
 ments. The charge including the tram cars will 
 weigh more than the empty retort, hence if the engi- 
 neer of the motor is obliged to make a run to get his 
 charge in, serious damage is almost sure to result 
 first or last. With the wince a stop within a few 
 inches is practicable. It is claimed by the manufac- 
 turer of the air motor that their locomptors are equally 
 under control. As regards the electric motor it is not. 
 In any case, a remedy for the heavy draught of the 
 tram train is being called for and must be provided. 
 
 The relative merits and cost of installation of 
 these two means of power are as yet unsettled but 
 probably will be settled in the near future, as each 
 has its advocates; and really the best method, and 
 about the only one, will be that of results after trying. 
 It appears, however, at this time that the compressed 
 air is both the best adapted and the cheapest to 
 install and to operate. 
 
 The compressed air motor seems the best in the 
 respect that its installment can all be placed in the 
 ground, its feeding points so located as to always be 
 in easy reach when the motor needs to recharge, and 
 the motor is free to go quickly to any part of the yard 
 as needed, whereas the electric motor can only oper- 
 ate where the tracks are wired. For the wince, the 
 electric power is an ideal one as is also the com- 
 pressed air. One difficulty in using the compressed 
 air is that the high power necessary to operate the 
 locomotor is unsuited to operate the wince, or so 
 at least was apprehended, but later this has been 
 overcome by using the compressor that is used to 
 move the solutions. 
 
 The C, B. & Q. R. R., at their works at Sheridan, 
 Wyoming, are now doing this quite successfully, thus 
 
 161 
 
162 
 
doing away with the necessity of a special engine for 
 the lower pressure. 
 
 THE PROPER PROPORTION FOR 
 THE RETORT. 
 
 In the first place the diameter of the retort should 
 be such as to receive the car of the most convenient 
 dimensions for loading and unloading. The most 
 common diameter is that of even six feet which 
 receives a car the load of which will be near six feet 
 from ground level, which is about as high as men 
 can load economically. The cars best adapted to this 
 service must be as light as practicable and strong, 
 above all, strong, and as simple in construction as 
 possible. In proportioning the car all these requisites 
 must balance as nearly as possible. 
 
 Any effort to strengthen by increase of weight is 
 likely to defeat its purpose, as in use these cars 
 receive much harsh handling that is made still more 
 destructive from the added weight. 
 
 The door for sealing the retort would have to be 
 stronger in all its parts if the diameter is enlarged, 
 and the door, if self sealing, is quite an important 
 part of the cost, and when adapted to one dimension, 
 and that the most suitable, any change is to be 
 deprecated. 
 
 Much has been said in favor of the bolted door, but 
 a little observation must satisfy the observer of the 
 superiority of the " Spider Door," both for economy 
 of time and labor. 
 
 A retort of this diameter is amply strong to stand 
 the service, both for the necessary pressure and for 
 its stability in form. 
 
 The length can be made to suit the conditions or 
 fancy, but should not exceed 120 feet and may be 
 anything down to 40 feet. 
 
 163 
 
SHOULD TRAM CARS HAVE COUPLING ? 
 
 While recognizing the necessity of keeping up with 
 the times, the fact that the tram cars have heretofore 
 been handled without difficulty without the coupling 
 appliances, there seems to prevail an impression 
 abroad that the omission of these appliances is a 
 grave one. Why ? 
 
 The only seeming result where couplings have 
 been provided, is that their use is neglected and a 
 lot of surplus chains are around in the way. The 
 fact that the cars with loads or without can be pushed 
 ahead with any power, or can be drawn by means of 
 a suitable cable, even to the charging and discharging 
 of the retort, seems to point to lack of any necessity 
 for them. 
 
 The provision of light cables of about the length of 
 the retort, any train of loads or of empties can be 
 hauled safely by the motor over any part of the yard. 
 The same is true with any lesser number of cars. 
 
 Perhaps ninety-nine per cent of the labor in con- 
 nection with the plant is in handling the material, 
 including the handling of the tram cars in placing them ; 
 dangerous enough in itself to hands and limbs and 
 the additional risk in coupling should not be incurred 
 without better reasons than now appear. The extra 
 expense of the couplings cannot be neglected as it is 
 considerable, saying nothing of the time required in 
 coupling a loaded train, which at best is a troublesome 
 and a dangerous operation. " A word to the wise, etc." 
 
 THE TIE LOADER. 
 
 INTRODUCING A LABOR SAVING APPLIANCE. 
 
 The most severe labor connected with the opera- 
 tion of a timber preserving plant is the unloading of 
 the treated ties into box cars. 
 
 For economic reasons a large part of the output is 
 thus delivered, and the fact being that these freshly 
 treated ties have from fifty to seventy-five per cent of 
 
 164 
 
165 
 
weight added to the normal weight, renders them 
 very heavy, requiring from two to three men to lift 
 and carry them into the car. For two men the labor 
 is so severe that it requires an athlete to stand the 
 labor, and it is very difficult to secure men to do this 
 part of the work. Much delay always results from 
 this difficulty when organizing a force. 
 
 The illustration given on the preceding page shows 
 "The Angier Tie Loader" (patent pending), which is 
 now ready to offer to those desiring such an aid. It 
 is claimed that two men will load more ties into a box 
 car than four men can do by hand, and that the labor 
 is brought within the strength of any ordinary wcrk- 
 ingman, 
 
 TABLES FOR CONVENIENCE IN 
 
 COMPUTATIONS. 
 
 FOR LABORATORY WORK. 
 
 Measures. Cubic feet, (1728 cu. in.). Cubic centi- 
 meters, (eq. .0610254 pr. in.). 
 
 Weights. (Avoirdupois) Ibs. ozs. fractions of oz. to 
 4 dec. and grains. ( 7000 grs. to 1 Ib. av.) Using ozs. 
 as units generally. 
 
 For temperature. Fahrenheit thermometer. 
 
 For liquid density. Beaume hydrometer (in gross 
 .0 to 60 deg., and for fine .0 to 5.00 deg., Be.). 
 
 TABLE OF OUNCES AND GRAINS IN FRACTIONS 
 OF AN OUNCE. 
 
 1 grain equals .0023 ozs. 10 grains equal .0230 ozs. 
 
 2 grains equal .0046 16 
 
 . 0068 20 
 
 .0091 25 
 
 .0110 30 
 
 .0137 35 
 
 .0160 40 
 
 .0183 45 
 
 .0206 
 
 50 
 
 ' .0343 
 .0457 
 .0571 
 .0686 
 .0800 
 .0914 
 .1028 
 .1143 
 One-half oz. equals 
 
 One oz. av. equals 437 grains. 
 
 218.75 grains. One-quarter oz. equals 109.4 grains, 
 and one-eighth oz. equals 54.7 grains. 
 
 166 
 
DRAWING A VACUUM. 
 
 Computations by Prof. S. W. Robinson, Prof essor of 
 Mechanical Engineering, Ohio State University, Co- 
 lumbus, Ohio, Nov. 24, 1900: 
 
 Answering your letter, I found it to take quite a 
 little study. I assume that your pump has a clear- 
 ance to be filled at each return stroke as if the piston 
 had a hollow spot, or that a valve required a space, 
 or something, so that at end of return stroke there was 
 this clearance vol. that cannot be rid of ; represented 
 by the vol. e. f. on sketch. This is always constant. 
 
 These values 4", 3.55, 3.12 and 2.78 are the limit 
 to which your pump lowers the barometer column to, 
 at limit of exhaustion by pump, and are proportioned 
 to the barometric columns at the stations before pump- 
 ing. That is, the above figures are proportional to 30", 
 26.62" 23.38" &c., in a given air pump, whatever the air 
 pressure. 
 
 It may be the air pressure to lift the weight of valve 
 &c. -) 
 
 Fine physical laboratory air pumps require this 
 valve to be lifted by force automatically. 
 
 Now as the piston of your pump lifts, assume first, 
 that the air under it remains constant temp., and that 
 the vacuum is about completed as far as your pump 
 will do it, then, at any stroke or two, the pressure will 
 be, say 30" mercury at sea level where, for now, as- 
 sume the pump to be. On lifting piston from C. to B., 
 the stroke (O.C. being clearance), the falling pressure 
 with increasing stroke will, for air at constant temper- 
 ature in pump, describe the curve D., F., G., L., &c., 
 stopping at L., actually, as end of stroke; but if piston 
 kept on, the line would continue as to x. 
 
 At 3,500 feet elevation, the curve would be at H. M. 
 At 7,000 feet elevation the curve would be at I., N., 
 or at top of Pike's Peak at 14,500 feet elevation the 
 curve would be at J., O , and so on. 
 
 In your letter you speak of the terminal mercury 
 column being 4" shorter or 26" instead of at air pres- 
 sure, 30"; or really, I suppose the column connected 
 
 i6r 
 
168 
 
with the clearance side of pump will stand at 4" when 
 the pump has reached its limit. This 4" will be found 
 at L., on the curve when the pump has completed its 
 stroke, or a stroke at finish of pump's practical 
 vacuum. 
 
 Now these curves will be equilateral hyperbolas of 
 air expansion, where equivalent of curve is xy=con- 
 stant, or say eq. ADxCD=xy. Consequently the 
 values BL, BM, BN, etc., will be proportional to 
 CD, CH, CI, etc., respectively, so that when the 
 barometric heights are 30", 26.62, 23.38, etc., the 
 heights BL, BM, BN, etc., become known. (For 
 sudden or quick pumping, the curve is adiabatic.) 
 
 The values, 26.62, 23.38, etc., are to be determined 
 by some barometric formula from the heights such as 
 you gave as 3,500 feet and 7,000 feet elevation. This 
 formula is the well-known Laplace barometric for- 
 mula you may be familiar with, which is: 
 
 X. (ft. in el.) = 60346 (1.+.00256 Cos. 20) (1+ 2T + T i- 
 * 
 
 T andT, are centigrade temperatures at two stations, 
 and H, H lt bar. hts., I drop out the (<.) whole paren- 
 thesis or latitude term in my calculation here, giv- 
 ing: 
 
 X. in feet, = 60346. (1 + 2 I_tJi:)(log |L) 
 
 With this data I now arrive at a set of figures thus: 
 
 At 200 ft. el. 30 in. mercury tern. 60 deg. Fah.==16 deg. C. 
 " 3,500 " " 26.62" " " 50 " " =10 " " 
 
 " 7,000 " " 23.38" " " 40 " " = 4.4 " 
 
 "14,500" " 17.40" " " 32 " " =0.0 " " 
 
 Now allowing for the residual mercurial columns, 
 measuring your vacuum, at the different altitudes of 
 4", 3.35", 3.12" and 2.78", etc., you get 
 
 OA" _ AH _ 9A" *\ 
 
 9ft ftn Q~QK_OQ rv?" I As indicating the mercurial 
 
 23 38=2 12=20 26" f c lumn which re P resent 
 17. 40-2.78=14. 62" J vacuums - 
 
 169 
 
These figures in last column are really exactly the 
 same as you have given in your letter for the highest 
 viz. 26" at sea level, 23" at 3,500 feet elevation and 
 20" at 7,000 feet elevation. You say 24" to 26", 23" to 
 21", 18" to 20", as if you readily got the lower values 
 at each place, and that the larger values at each 
 place were the limits. These exactly agree with my 
 results. I used your 4" as from 30" to 26", 4" at 
 lower station. This treated by the diagram gives the 
 other figures. 
 
 To go farther with the columns toward the perfect 
 vacuums will require a more perfect pump or one 
 with less clearance. One way with same pump is to 
 have oil or water to stay in pump to fill clearance 
 e. f. at each return of stroke. 
 
 PROF. S. W. ROBINSON, 
 
 Nov. 24, 1900. O. S. U., Columbus, O. 
 
 THE DETERMINATION OF LIFE OF 
 TREATED TIMBER, IN RAILROAD TIES. 
 
 The determination of life of timber when exposed 
 as in cross ties or sleepers in a railroad track with 
 any degree of precision is, for several reasons, very 
 difficult. To approach anything near it requires a 
 careful record in detail, which is very difficult to keep 
 for a sufficient length of time as things go. Even if 
 this was done ever so carefully and definite data were 
 secured in one locality, the differences in climate, 
 soils and conditions would give something quite dif- 
 ferent at another location. 
 
 This being the conditions, we will have to be satis- 
 fied with an approximation. 
 
 The following sketch is intended to show some 
 deductions from the limited records in reach as 
 furnished by the A. T. & S. F. Ry. on the treated 
 mountain pine ties. The percentages as shown by 
 line A. as regards the first eight years, is derived 
 partially from the early periods of subsequent years 
 (after 1896), where number of rotten ties removed 
 have been reported. From 1897 to 1900 we have 
 full record. 
 
1 
 
 
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 171 
 
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 172 
 
It will be seen here that the mean life is near eleven 
 and one-half years, and that the rate so far as to life 
 is the minimum. We do not know how many ties of 
 each year's treating have been removed previous to 
 the commencement of the record in 1897. Referring 
 to table compiled in October, 1900, compiled on the 
 presumption of twelve years mean life, we find that 
 not nearly so many rotten ties are being removed as 
 should have been. (Only from 50 to 75 per cent.) 
 Should the same be true as to the years from 1885 
 to 1896, then it is presumed that our line is too high 
 at first and that in the end a year or two more can be 
 added to the mean life here shown for treated ties. 
 
 Awaiting the time when the record shall have been 
 completed, we shall have to rest content on what we 
 have. 
 
 The line B. B. is intended as an approximate for 
 untreated hemlock and C. C. that for mountain 
 untreated pine ties, presuming that much the same 
 law will govern as with the treated ties. 
 
 Granting that the diagram is anything near right, 
 it speaks " graphically " for itself. 
 
 ON THE ECONOMIES OF TIMBER PRESER- 
 VATION. 
 (Copy) 
 
 ON LINE, Sept. 14, 1902. 
 MR. H. U. MUDGE, 
 
 General manager, A. T. S. F. Ry., 
 
 Topeka, Kan. 
 
 Dear Sir : I beg to acknowledge receipt of your 
 favor of September 8, which was forwarded to me 
 while on the line west, giving figures showing the 
 average life of treated ties taken out of track during 
 the year 1901. It would .seem from the statement 
 that the best results you receive from your Rip 
 Grande division, next coming the New Mexico divi- 
 sion. From the divisions east of the Western divi- 
 sion, it would seem there was not much economy in 
 the use of the treated tie, the average life being 
 
 173 
 
practically eight years. Of course, this is consider- 
 ably over the life of the tie untreated, still at the 
 same time the additional cost of the treated over the 
 ordinary pine without treatment would, in my mind, 
 make up the difference. I should be very glad in- 
 deed to hear from you on this subject, and whether 
 you consider the tie economical to use east of our 
 Western division. Yours truly, 
 
 (Signed) RUSSELL HARDING, 
 3d Vice-Pres. and Gen'l. Mgr. Mo. Pac. Ry. 
 
 (Copy) 
 
 TOPEKA, KAN., Sept. 26, 1902. 
 Tie Treating Report. 
 MR. RUSSELL HARDING, 
 
 3d Vice-Pres. and Gen'l. Mgr. Mo. Pac. Ry., 
 
 St. Louis, Mo. 
 
 Dear Sir: I am in receipt of yours of the 14th inst., 
 hereon, and note contents. It would probably have 
 been better when these reports were sent out if 
 special attention had been called to the fact that the 
 figures represented only the average life of treated 
 ties taken out on account of rot during 1901, and not 
 the average life of all the ties treated during each 
 year. 
 
 We commenced wood preservation in 1885 at our 
 Las Vegas plant, treating only mountain pine and 
 laying the ties west of Dodge City, Kansas, out prin- 
 cipally in New Mexico. Unfortunately, it was not 
 until 1897 that we realized the necessity of keeping 
 record of the service obtained through this work, so 
 that from 1885 to 1896 inclusive, while we put in 
 2,528,746 treated ties, we have no record of how many 
 were taken out each year or the reason, consequently 
 cannot give any present average life of service, for 
 those still in, and must, until our present records are 
 old enough, be content with knowing the average 
 life of those taken out. 
 
 In 1898 we commenced getting treated Southern 
 pine ties from the Texas plant at Someryille, but 
 these have not yet been in long enough to give us re- 
 
 174 
 
liable data from which to determine the percentage 
 of saving, although the Southern Pacific, who have 
 been treating loblolly sap wood since 1886, using the 
 same system of treating that we have, that we now 
 use, claim that it about doubles the life of the tie at 
 less than one-third its cost. This is practically our 
 own experience, even judging by the ties which 
 have come out of the Western end where we have 
 had long enough time to base an opinion upon. You 
 will see by the record sent that in 1901 we took out 
 4,472 mountain pine ties which have been in the 
 track since 1885 sixteen years* service, when at the 
 most without treating we could not have expected 
 more than six years, and I am satisfied there are 
 quite a few thousand ties of 1885 yet in the track and 
 good for two or three years more service. 
 
 Answering your remarks as to the economy of 
 treated ties east of our Western division, in consider- 
 ing this it would not be fair to include the number 
 taken out from " other causes," which cover those 
 broken in accidents or removed for reasons entirely 
 outside of the question of treatment; but when the 
 number removed on account of rot is considered 
 alongside of the total number put in, it will be seen 
 that it bears a very small proportion to the number 
 inserted in track, as you will see by figures given: 
 
 In connection with these figures, and with our 
 averages as a whole, it must not be overlooked that it 
 is the " weak sisters'* which come out first; the strong, 
 sound ones remaining in a much longer time under 
 the principle of the survival of the fittest. 
 
 I certainly consider that our experience and econ- 
 omy also warrants us in the use of treated ties on- the 
 whole of our road, and believe good results will be 
 apparent in course of time from those put in on the 
 Eastern end, as well as on the Western. This year 
 we had to put in a good many ties not treated, but it 
 is because we are unable to get all of the other kind 
 that we called for. 
 
 175 
 
STATEMENT. 
 
 TREATED PINE TIES. 
 
 Eastern end, cast of Western and Colorado Divisions, 
 
 Taken out between March 1, 1897 and December 
 31, 1901. 
 
 Entered against year in which they were treated. 
 
 Year in which treated and 
 put in track. 
 
 Ties in 
 Track Jan. 
 1, 1902. 
 
 Rotten. 
 
 Other 
 Causes. 
 
 4J 
 
 I 
 
 1897 27,831 
 
 27,818 
 
 11* 
 
 2 
 
 13 
 
 1898 . 314 126 
 
 314 066 
 
 37t 
 
 23 
 
 60 
 
 1899 658,775 
 
 658,664 
 
 
 111 
 
 111 
 
 1900 787377 
 
 786,789 
 
 5 
 
 583 
 
 588 
 
 1901 658 694 
 
 658 676 
 
 
 18 
 
 18 
 
 Total 2,446,803 
 
 2,446,013 
 
 53 
 
 737 
 
 790 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Western end. 
 
 1897 
 
 242,750 
 
 242,309 
 
 305* 
 
 136 
 
 441 
 
 1898 
 
 ... . 334 058 
 
 333,727 
 
 lOlt 
 
 230 
 
 331 
 
 1899 
 
 351 570 
 
 351 359 
 
 21 
 
 190 
 
 211 
 
 1900 
 
 375,132 
 
 375,121 
 
 
 11 
 
 11 
 
 1901 
 
 ... . 402,540 
 
 402 483 
 
 2 
 
 55 
 
 57 
 
 Total 
 
 1,706,050 
 
 1 ,704,999 
 
 429 
 
 622 
 
 1,051 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total on A. T. and S. F. proper. 
 
 1897 
 1898 
 
 270.581 
 648,184 
 
 270,127 
 647,793 
 
 316* 
 
 138t 
 
 138 
 253 
 
 454 
 391 
 
 1899 . . . 
 
 .... 1,010,345 
 
 1,010,028 
 
 21 
 
 301 
 
 322 
 
 1900 , 
 
 1,162,509 
 
 1,161,910 
 
 5 
 
 594 
 
 599 
 
 1901 
 
 1,061,234 
 
 1,061,159 
 
 2 
 
 73 
 
 75 
 
 Total 
 
 4,152,853 
 
 4,151,017 
 
 482 
 
 1,359 
 
 1,841 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 *Mean for 4 years rotten .00094 | 
 tMean for 3 years rotten .00021 f 
 
 _ _ - HOWE. 
 
 176 
 
We expect to have more and special attention 
 given to this wood preservation matter in the future, 
 and through our own experiments in^a small plant 
 put up here for that purpose, and are in hopes of so 
 improving our treatment as to get even better results 
 than in the past. (Sig.) H. U. MUDGE, 
 
 General Manager, 
 
 A. T. & S. F. Ry. 
 
 COST OF TREATING TIES. 
 
 The appended table gives the average cost of 
 treating ties at the several plants. This is the net 
 cost covering chemicals, labor, fuel and supplies only. 
 
 The character of the timber varies so that the 
 strength of the chloride of zinc solution also varies 
 from over four per cent in some cases to one and 
 one-quarter per cent. 
 
 TABLE. 
 
 
 
 ( 
 
 3ost of 
 
 
 
 Process. 
 
 Chemicals. 
 
 Labor. 
 
 1 
 h 
 
 Supplies . 
 
 Total. 
 
 A Wellhouse 
 
 $0 0680 
 
 $0 0343 
 
 |0 0058 
 
 |0 0026 
 
 $0 1107 
 
 B. " 
 
 .0842 
 
 .0469 
 
 .0043* 
 
 
 .1354 
 
 C. Burnett 
 
 .0616 
 
 0709 
 
 .0037* 
 
 
 1362 
 
 D. Wellhouse 
 E. " .... 
 
 .0885 
 .0716 
 
 .0303 
 0345 
 
 .0038 
 0084 
 
 .0032 
 .0021 
 
 .1258 
 1168 
 
 F. Burnett 
 
 0554 
 
 
 0329 
 
 0086 
 
 0015 
 
 .0984 
 
 G. Wellhouse 
 
 .0677 
 
 .0706 
 
 0301 
 
 0055 
 
 .1739 
 
 H. Burnett 
 
 0622 
 
 0268 
 
 0025* 
 
 
 .0915 
 
 I. 
 
 0369 
 
 0279 
 
 0083 
 
 .0033 
 
 .0764 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 *Supplies included. 
 
 177 
 
CYLINDER N.2 ILC*T, H . 
 
 WflGHTW CYLIWOC*. Oio.'t.r f>\ UiH, 1 1 9\ Hid.. M I 
 
 N$rin.L<.,l(.'.77-WfWIf4.*itfiri'.n- 7*Uft 
 
 . . 
 
 . Punt. n* ..-_- 
 
 - - - 
 
 WtlOHTIf OMRGt 
 
 I J (r lIt< .. - -.|04lb<) 
 
 Tici or tinlir I3f Cui /f - 702te -f 
 
 TIME fXPANSION. TtMPtftATUBI 
 
 _0,V,O.JonyiZ- J llft 
 
 ' 
 
 FIG. 24 RETORT NO. 2, SHOWING CAUSE OF BREAKAGE. 
 
 178 
 
INTRODUCTION OF STEAM TO THE 
 RETORT. 
 
 In 1885, when the Las Vegas plant was first in- 
 stalled, the steam was introduced through the upper 
 dome near the middle of the retort. Great distortion 
 of the shell of the retort was at once apparent and 
 several breaks by tearing the steel sheets succeeded 
 each other at short intervals. These failures were at the 
 bottom of the retort near the middle and were quite 
 expensive to repair, requiring large patches. 
 
 STEAMING CrUNDtR NO 2. WITH CHARGE AND USING VACUUM - STEAM,THROUuei I 
 
 It was evidently due to the sudden heating of the 
 top of the retort before the steam reached the bottom, 
 the top sheets being expanded so as to throw it into 
 an arch, causing tension on the bottom sheets beyond 
 what they would stand. 
 
 The whole difficulty was remedied by introducing 
 the steam at the lower dome and carrying it to each 
 end and there discharging it, thus filling the whole 
 area of the retort with steam, the air being allowed to 
 escape through the top dome as fast as the steam from 
 each end displaced it. 
 
 The diagrams here given, with one given on page 
 57 of the hand-book, will sufficiently illustrate the 
 causes of breakage as well as suggestive of the rem- 
 edy to be applied. 
 
MEASURING THE SAPS EXTRACTED DUR- 
 ING THE PROCESS OF STEAMING. 
 
 In seeking a method of determining the amount of 
 saps or soluble matter extracted during the process 
 of steaming, the only practical method would seem 
 to be by observing the changes in weight of the wood, 
 and taking careful note of the effects produced. 
 
 Assuming that the wood is dry when introduced, 
 the steam is introduced and held under the required 
 pressure until the wood is heated to the boiling point. 
 In practice we find that much of the steam required 
 to heat the wood condenses and falls to the bottom of 
 the retort and from thence is blown into the sewer at 
 short intervals. At first this outfall is pretty nearly 
 clear water from condensed steam, then later some- 
 what loaded with timber juices and later heavily so 
 and finally again bearing nearly pure steam conden- 
 sation. Then the vacuum follows, drawing the 
 vapors from the timber and from the retort. If at 
 this stage the timber is withdrawn from the retort, if 
 introduced dry, will have increased in weight, but if 
 introduced green and sappy, will be lighter, but we 
 cannot tell in either case how much steam has con- 
 densed in the timber during steaming and how much 
 is drawn away during the vacuum. But if we weigh 
 the timber before treated and then again after, we 
 have the increased weight, and by the tub gauge we 
 have the amount actually absorbed. 
 
 Invariably this latter quantity is much greater 
 than the increase in the weight of the timber by treat- 
 ment. Then the difference is evidently the amount 
 of sap or soluble matter drawn from the timber. In 
 no other way can this be determined during the ordi- 
 nary process of treating timber. 
 
 RULE. Subtract increase of weight of timber from weight 
 of solution absorbed. This difference is the weight of soluble 
 matter drawn out. 
 
 180 
 
TIMBER IMPREGNATING LABORATORY PLANT. 
 
185 
 

 : , -^*H 
 
 J 
 
 187 
 
190 
 
191 
 
(7 
 
 192 
 
194 
 
195 
 
196 
 

198 
 
200 
 
201 
 
u 
 
 Cd 
 O 
 
 z 
 
 s 
 
 H 
 
 W* 
 c 
 
 O 
 
 z 
 
 2 
 
 a 
 
 I 
 
C/i 
 
 X 
 
 X 
 
 
 
 u 
 w 
 
 o 
 
OS* 
 u 
 
 H 
 
 as 
 O 
 
 9n 
 
 H 
 O 
 
 o 
 
 S 
 
 
 
 w 
 
 Q 
 
 I 
 
z 
 
 o 
 
 n 4^> 
 
 E 00 
 > * 
 
 2 c 
 ? w 
 
OF THE 
 
 ( UNIVERSITY ) 
 
 OF 
 
 <iUFORN\^ 
 
NOTE. With more perfect instruments the boiling point is 
 between the line given and the ellipse, perhaps very near the 
 latter. 
 
 183 
 
184 
 
i ? 
 
 The table here given is results of investigration made by the 
 aid and co-operations of three operators of Timber Preserving 
 Plants, F. J. Angier of Sheridan, Wyoming, H. J. Whitmore of 
 Granville, Texas, and F. H. Stewart of Alamogordo, New Mex- 
 ico, at request of the author. The primary purpose was to de- 
 termine as near as possible just what takes place as regards 
 physical conditions during the operation. Each one, aside from 
 the program furnished, carried through the operation entirely 
 independent of each other and the uniformity of mean results, 
 fully attest the care and ability with which each conducted the 
 experiment. 
 
 One question recently brought to the front by the theorist, 
 has been the amount of heat attained by the timber during 
 steaming and vacuum, it being urged that during the producing 
 the vacuum, the temperature of the steamed timber became re- 
 duced, so that a portion of the vapors in the timber would again 
 condense and thus fail to be drawn out. It is, therefore, urged 
 that a coil of superheated steam should be used to keep the tem- 
 perature above the vaporizing point until the vacuum was fully 
 drawn. 
 
 Now let us see: In any case the vacuum drawn is never less 
 than 22 inches and at this point water boils at 14(X> Fahr. against 
 2120 a t atmospheric pressure. Referring to the ta.ble, we find 
 that the mean temperature at completion of the vacuum is 153 
 F., and the minimum 135, nowhere as low as the boiling point 
 in 22 inches vacuum, except in one run. It would seem, there- 
 fore, that a superheater coil is not needed. 
 
 Another point brought out is, that during the steaming the 
 boiling point is reached in a majority of cases, allowing for the 
 elevation above the sea and the imperfect method resorted to, 
 that of withdrawing the car and pushing the thermometer into 
 a hole previously prepared. 
 
 Then again, it will be noted that dry ties age almost invari- 
 ably heavier after the vacuum is drawn by about 4 per cent, and 
 green ties are lighter by about 2 per cent, than when introduced 
 and that some very green are slightly lighter after steaming 
 and before the vacuum is drawn. This is due to the large 
 amount of water boiled out during the steaming, overbalancing 
 the steam absorbed. 
 
 There are other significant matters brought out that will 
 interest the experienced operator, and will, it is hoped, encourage 
 further investigation in this direction. 
 
 Referring to matter of saps drawn from the wood as per 
 page 180 (Hand Book, the column R.-J), is significant where none 
 is shown in very dry ties, whereas very green ties give off over 
 201bs. per tie. 
 
 185 
 
PLANT 'P.' 
 BLOW-BACK 6 1?ET07?TS 
 
 CHICAGO. MIKCH 
 

 190 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 THE CREOSOTE AND ZINC-TANNIN 
 PROCESSES. 
 
 It is deemed desirable that place be given to the 
 following matter from one of the best, if not the best, 
 posted men in regard to the matter here treated. 
 OCTAVE CHANUTE, C. E., has that extended experi- 
 ence that must give his statements such degree of 
 authority as to remain undisturbed except by the 
 very best substantiated proofs. 
 
 WORKING INSTRUCTIONS. 
 MATERIALS NEEDED FOR IMPREGNATION. 
 
 Before the works are put into operation the neces- 
 sary materials for injection have to be ordered and 
 placed in their appropriate receptacles. Order as 
 follows: 
 
 CREOSOTE. 
 
 Order in the ratio of i y z gallons per cubic foot of 
 the quantity of timber which it is intended to creosote 
 and to the following specifications: 
 
 "The creosote to be a pure coal tar distillate of the 
 very best quality, free from water and all impurities, 
 and on analysis to give the following results: 
 
 " I. To be entirely liquid at a temperature of 120 
 degrees Fahrenheit, and to remain so on cooling to 
 95 degrees. 
 
 "2. To contain not less than 25 per cent, of con- 
 stituents that do not distill over at a temperature of 
 600 degrees Fahrenheit. 
 
 "3. To yield to a solution of caustic soda not less 
 than 6 per cent by volume of tar-acids. 
 
 191 
 
"4- The specific gravity at 90 degrees Fahrenheit 
 to range between 1.040 and 1.065, water being taken 
 as i.ooo at the same temperature." 
 
 This is the English specification, and London gov- 
 erns the price for creosote all over the world. The 
 firm of Burt, Boulton & Maywood are large dealers in 
 England, and the Barrett Manufacturing Co. lead in 
 the United States. The price fluctuates greatly. 
 
 The creosote will probably be received in barrels; 
 these should be rolled over a gangway to the creosote 
 storage tank and dumped therein. The oil will prob- 
 ably be fluid, but if it does not flow easily, a closed 
 steam lance with flexible steam connection inserted 
 into the barrel will cause its rapid emptying. From 
 the storage tank the oil will be transferred by gravity 
 or pumping in needed quantities to the creosote reser- 
 voir, under the retort. 
 
 Steam coils are placed in the creosote storage tank, 
 in the creosote reservoir in the retort, and in the meas- 
 uring tank if one is used. In addition to this, the main 
 pipes connecting these various receptacles have a 
 small internal pipe through which steam or its con- 
 densations circulate in order to keep the creosote hot 
 and prevent clogging. 
 
 The tests of the creosote received will have to be 
 made from time to time by a chemist, and it is recom- 
 mended that he shall procure a copy of the book by 
 Lunge, "Coal-Tar and Ammonia." 
 
 CREOSOTING. 
 
 This process consists of three operations : 
 
 1. Steaming the timber. 
 
 2. Producing vacuum and admitting creosote. 
 
 3. Application of pressure pump. 
 
 I. STEAMING THE TIMBER. 
 
 The timber being in the hermetically closed retort 
 is first subjected to the action of steam, unless the 
 wood is so thoroughly seasoned as not to require 
 this. The time necessary for steaming depends upon 
 the season and the kind and condition of the wood. 
 
 192 
 
The object of this steaming is to put the timber in 
 a condition to absorb the greatest possible amount of 
 the preserving fluid, by dissolving and removing as 
 much of the sap as possible, as well as whatever dirt 
 there may be on the faces of the wood. 
 
 The admission of steam to the retort is to be so 
 regulated that the gauge attached thereto shall in- 
 dicate a steam pressure of 20 pounds at the end of 
 not less than 30 minutes after beginning the process. 
 This steam pressure is then to be kept up, without 
 increase, for a further period, varying from 30 min- 
 utes to three hours, in accordance with the condition 
 and kind of the wood. The preener it is the longer 
 must the steaming be continued to extract the sap. 
 The denser the wood the more does it require long 
 steaming in order that the sap in the heart of the 
 timber shall reach the boiling point. Very dense 
 woods, with small and infrequent sap cells, should 
 not be treated at all, as this will be a waste of 
 money. The fact may be determined by weighing 
 thoroughly seasoned specimens and rejecting the 
 woods which weigh 50 pounds or more to the cubic 
 foot when in that dry condition, or over 55 pounds 
 to the cubic foot when half seasoned. Experience 
 will have to guide. 
 
 In order to expel the air from the retort at the 
 beginning of the steaming, a valve attached to the 
 lower part of the retort must be opened until steam 
 begins to escape ; this valve must also be opened 
 from time to time, or left with a very minute open- 
 ing during the process of steaming, in order to draw 
 off the water of condensation. 
 
 After steaming the wood for a sufficient length 
 of time, the steam is allowed to escape from the re- 
 tort. The steam valve and all escape valves are then 
 closed before proceeding to pump a partial vacuum. 
 
 2. PRODUCING VACUUM AND ADMITTING CREOSOTE. 
 
 After the steam is exhausted from the retort, a 
 vacuum of 18 to 24 inches of mercury, as indicated 
 on the vacuum gauge, is produced, and this amount 
 
of rarefaction must be kept up from 10 minutes to 
 one hour, as experience with the kinds of wood oper- 
 ated upon shall indicate. Then, without decreasing 
 the vacuum, i. e., without stopping the air pump, 
 the creosote, previously heated to 120 degrees F., is 
 admitted. This is done by opening the valve lead- 
 ing to the creosote reservoir under the retort, when 
 the fluid rises through the action of atmospheric 
 pressure, so as to fill the retort partially, the re- 
 mainder of the filling and the application of pres- 
 sure are effected by means of the pressure pump. 
 
 3. APPLICATION OF PRESSURE PUMP. 
 
 The pump is to be put into and continued in action 
 until the pressure is raised to 100 pounds to the 
 square inch, and this must be maintained, until the 
 requisite amount of creosote has been forced into 
 the timber, the air pump being shut off as soon as it 
 is ascertained that the retort is full of creosote. 
 The time requisite to produce absorption by the 
 wood will vary from 30 minutes to three hours, and 
 the amount to be injected will vary from ten pounds 
 to the cubic foot for timber to be exposed only to the 
 weather, to sixteen to twenty pounds per cubic foot 
 for timber to be exposed in the sea to the action of 
 marine worms, i. e., the Teredo Navalis or the Lim- 
 noria Terebrans. If necessary the time of pumping 
 must be prolonged until the required amount of cre- 
 osote has been absorbed. 
 
 In order to determine the amount of oil absorbed 
 by each charge, two methods are employed. The 
 first is to read accurately the gauges or indicator 
 boards attached to the creosote tank and the creo- 
 sote reservoir before and after the injection of the 
 timber. From these readings the amount of oil ab- 
 sorbed by the charge is computed, and knowing the 
 number of cubic feet in the charge the quantity per 
 cubic foot is easily ascertained. If through any 
 cause it is impracticable to measure beforehand the 
 volume of charge, the amount of cubic feet which 
 it contains may be ascertained approximately by 
 
 194 
 
first gauging the cubic contents of the retort with 
 only the empty buggies and the wire rope therein; 
 then by reading the gauges, first, before admitting 
 the creosote: second, when the retort is just full, 
 and, third, after the creosote has been forced back; 
 the displacement of the charge in cubic feet may then 
 be computed, as more fully explained hereinafter. 
 
 The second method of determining the amount of 
 oil absorbed by each charge is to weigh each buggy 
 load just before and just after creosoting; the dif- 
 ference showing the weight absorbed, and this is pre- 
 sumably evenly distributed among the number of 
 cubic feet in that buggy charge. This is probably 
 the more accurate way, but it reauires the introduc- 
 tion of a weighing scale in the track, or the handling 
 and weighing of each piece of timber separately. 
 In computing the result, the amount of sap pre- 
 viously extracted by the vacuum must be taken into 
 account, and be added to the increased weight shown 
 by weighing. This extracted sap can be measured 
 through the hot well of the condenser, and its weight 
 thus ascertained. 
 
 In case of any charge in which the timber fails 
 to absorb the requisite quantity of creosote, the proc- 
 ess may be repeated. The tar-oil, or creosote, is to 
 be kept at a temperature of at least 120 F. during 
 the whole operation of injection. 
 
 After the requisite quantity of oil has been ab- 
 sorbed by the timber, and this may be most accu- 
 rately determined by adding a measuring tank to the 
 works, the tar oil is then drawn off. 
 
 CREOSOTING. 
 
 The creosote or "dead oil" is to be stored in 
 a metal tank (iron or steel), in which is placed 
 a steam heating coil to bring and keep the oil at 
 such temperature as shall be necessary to keep it 
 entirely fluid or liquefied (say, 120 to 130 deg. F.). 
 
 The suction pipe of the pump by which the oil 
 is to be handled enters the side of the store tank 
 and has its inlet very near the bottom, by means 
 
 195 
 
of which the oil is drawn to the pump and by it 
 forced into the reservoir placed immediately under 
 the retort or into the retort itself as during pressure 
 on the charge. 
 
 The reservoir is also furnished with a heating coil 
 by which the temperature of the oil is still further 
 raised to such temperature as may be found de- 
 sirable, not so high as to prevent or destroy the 
 vacuum in the retort by which it must be caused to 
 flow into the retort. 
 
 In case the vacuum should fail to fill the retort 
 around its charge, then resort must be had to the 
 force pump to fill the remaining by drawing prefer- 
 ably from the storage tank, although if the reservoir 
 contents are not too hot, from it. This as well 
 for creating proper pressure on the charge during 
 its exposure to the oil. 
 
 INTRODUCING THE CREOSOTE TO THE 
 RETORT. 
 
 The charge having been carried through the 
 steaming process, the same as done in section i 
 for the zinc-tannin process, and the vacuum drawn 
 and held for the desired time to exhaust the freed 
 saps from the timber, the creosote is allowed to flow 
 up through the five-inch valve and connecting pipe 
 joining the reservoir with the bottom of the retort 
 by opening the valve "R," and at the same time 
 opening an air pipe with which the reservoir is to 
 be provided in order that atmospheric pressure shall 
 act on the liquid in the reservoir, which should lift 
 so much of it as will fill the retort, the full force 
 being kept up by continuing the use of the vacuum 
 pump. 
 
 When the retort is filled as nearly as practicable, 
 then the valve "R" should be closed, the vacuum 
 pump stopped and the pressure pump immediately 
 started and the remaining space in the retort filled 
 and pressure brought on the charge, preferably 
 drawing from the storage tank, as this will tend 
 
 196 
 
to keep up the supply and replace the amount ab- 
 sorbed by the timber. 
 
 DURING EXPOSURE OF CHARGE TO THE 
 OIL. 
 
 When the charge is all in and the pressure 
 pump in operation, steam is turned on the heat- 
 ing coil in the retort and the temperature of the 
 oil is raised to that prescribed, say 170 to 190 deg. 
 F., and so held until sufficient absorption is had, 
 which being done, the residue of oil is allowed to 
 flow back into its reservoir through the pipe and 
 the valve "R" through which it entered. The 
 charge of timber is allowed to drip until quite free 
 from the clinging oil, the operation is complete and 
 the charge is withdrawn. 
 
 OPERATION OF THE HEATING OIL. 
 
 The store tank, the reservoir and the retort 
 have each its independent steam supply pipe 
 from the main steam pipe in the machinery room, 
 with a valve in each, convenient to the hand of the 
 engineer by which each coil is operated as needed, 
 and the outlet of condensations leading from each 
 coil, enter one common steam trap, which in its turn 
 has a discharge pipe leading to the hot water reser- 
 voir or the boiler feed tank, as may be desired. The 
 operator should be guided by the necessities, being 
 indicated by the thermometers placed upon the stor- 
 age tank, the reservoir and the retort. 
 
 Read the gauges and the indicator boards at the 
 proper times, and also the glass tube of the hot- 
 well to the condenser, and fill out the blanks in the 
 report of run. 
 
 Much of the knowledge necessary to be entirely 
 successful must be derived from experience and a 
 considerable exercise of judgment and careful ob- 
 servation. As regards the matter of temperature 
 of oils or solutions, strength of solutions, time, steam 
 or pressure shall be held and many other pertinent 
 
 197 
 
matters ; this depends so largely on the character 
 of timber to be treated, to climatic conditions and 
 to the specifications and methods to be used, that 
 it would be impossible to explain this through the 
 present means, and it can only be done by an ex- 
 perienced operator on the ground. 
 
 CHLORIDE OF ZINC. 
 
 The chloride vats are lead lined, so that the 
 chloride can be made on the spot by pouring hydro- 
 chloric acid over metallic zinc (spelter) in case those 
 materials can be procured, but it is assumed that it 
 will be preferred to use the "fused chloride of zinc," 
 which comes in iron drums. Order the latter in the 
 ratio of one-half pound per cubic foot of the quan- 
 tity of timber which it is intended to treat there- 
 with. Fused chloride is made by a number of firms 
 in Germany, which are well known to the chemical 
 agencies, and by one or more firms in the United 
 States. 
 
 A convenient way of handling the drums will be 
 to roll them over the gangway above the chloride 
 vats, there to chop off the sheet iron, which is quite 
 thin, with an axe, and to chop the chloride into suit- 
 able pieces to throw into the vats, using each alter- 
 nately. By adding about the same weight of pure 
 water as there is of the chloride and letting it stand 
 a day or two, this dissolves into a "stock solution," 
 which should read about 50 degrees with the Beau- 
 me hydrometer. From this "stock solution" appro- 
 priate quantities are to be thrown up by the steam 
 jet into the chloride storage tank, to produce the 
 strength of "working solution" desired, which will 
 vary probably from 2 to 5 Beaume, in accordance 
 with the condition of the timber to be treated, as 
 more fully stated hereafter. When the general con- 
 ditions of the working have been arrived at, much 
 labor of computation will be saved by preparing a 
 table showing how many tenths of feet from the 
 chloride vat, should be mixed per foot of water in 
 
the storage tank in order to produce the strength of 
 "working solution" required. 
 
 The testing of the chloride of zinc will have to be 
 made from time to time by a chemist. It should be 
 as free as possible from impurities, and especially 
 from iron. The chemist will indicate what simple 
 tests can be applied at the works to test for iron, 
 free acid, sulphates or basic chloride when he is not 
 present. 
 
 GELATINE. 
 
 Order dry glue in the ratio of i-io of a pound per 
 cubic foot of the quantity of timber which it is in- 
 tended to treat by the zinc-tannin process (some- 
 what less will be used). If moist glue is to be had, 
 order twice the above quantity, as it contains about 
 50 per cent of water. It is not requisite that the 
 glue shall be refined and the cheaper grades will an- 
 swer very well, provided they are rich in gelatine. 
 This is to be ascertained by testing a sample dis- 
 solved to a syrup between the fingers, and noting its 
 degree of adhesiveness, and also by making a solu- 
 tion 2 per cent strong and mixing in a test tube with 
 a solution of tannin of the same strength. The glue 
 which will yield the largest volume of pellicles of 
 insoluble artificial leather is the best to use. 
 
 The glue is to be dissolved in the appropriate 
 cooking tub with hot water (best obtained by steam- 
 ing) into a "stock solution" of convenient strength, 
 whence it is to be thrown up by the steam jet into 
 the gelatine storage tank so as to produce a "work- 
 ing solution" i per cent strong, in terms of dry 
 glue. The exact strength is not essential, as the of- 
 fice performed by the gelatine and the tannin is to 
 produce pellicles of an insoluble substance which ob- 
 structs the washing out of the chloride of zinc. 
 
 TANNIN. 
 
 Order liquid extract of tannin in the ratio of i-io 
 of a pound per cubic foot of the quantity of timber 
 which it is intended to treat by the zinc-tannin proc- 
 
 199 
 
ess (somewhat less will be used). The most suitable 
 is the extract of hemlock bark which is made in 
 Pennsylvania and in Michigan, and which contains 
 about 30 per cent of tannic acid (in terms of oxalic 
 acid), and is sold by the pound. It is practicable, 
 however, to use other varieties of tannin, such as 
 extract of oak-bark, of willow bark, or of chestnut, 
 catechu, sumach or gambier. If tannin containing 
 barks are to be obtained locally it may be cheaper to 
 make the extract on the spot, the essential point 
 being that the "stock extract" shall contain about 30 
 per cent of tannic acid, in terms of oxalic acid. This 
 "stock extract" is to be emptied into the appropriate 
 cooking tub, steamed, and thrown up by the steam 
 jet into the tannin storage tank in such quantities 
 as to form therein a "working solution" containing 
 2 per cent of the tanriin "stock extract." The exact 
 proportion is not essential and a little practice will 
 enable the operator of the works to get at the correct 
 proportion of water to be added to obtain a "work- 
 ing solution." 
 
 CONDITION OF TIMBER. 
 
 The condition of the timber before treatment is 
 the most important element of success. The wood 
 should be seasoned, or at least half seasoned, and 
 this can best be ascertained before beginning opera- 
 tions by measuring and weighing samples of wood, 
 two or three cubic feet in contents, when fresh cut 
 and when thoroughly seasoned, so as to ascertain 
 their weight per cubic foot. The difference between 
 the two weighings will indicate the amount of the 
 watery portion of the sap which has evaporated, and 
 of the amount of solution which can probably be in- 
 jected; this serving as a guide in selecting those 
 woods which should preferably be employed. After 
 these datas have been obtained, experience will guide 
 as to the length of time and the mode of seasoning 
 which are requisite to obtain good results. In Eu- 
 rope wood is seldom treated before it has been sea- 
 soned from 6 to 12 months. In the United States 
 
 200 
 
wood is generally treated some 4 to 6 months after 
 it has been cut, but the results are inferior; save 
 on the Pacific Coast, where it is said that Oregon fir 
 seasoned in the air 2 years will take double the time 
 for treatment which is required for one freshly cut. 
 This probably results from the presence of resin in 
 the wood, which gums upon seasoning. 
 
 PREPARATION FOR WORKING. 
 
 The first requisite is that the engineer who is to 
 operate the works personally shall thoroughly know 
 and understand all parts of the plant. The retort, 
 the working tanks, and especially the piping and 
 valves, so as to know what motions to make to pro- 
 duce certain results. After he has made adequate 
 studies of these and the tanks have all been charged 
 with the liquids of the requisite working strength, 
 the operation consists essentially in the following 
 actions : 
 
 1. Charging buggies, placing in retort, closing 
 door. 
 
 2. Steaming not over 20 Ibs. pressure. 
 
 3. Producing vacuum of 18 to 24 inches. 
 
 4. Introducing solutions and applying pressures. 
 
 5. Forcing surplus solutions back into tanks. 
 
 6. Opening door of retort and withdrawing 
 charge. 
 
 The details for these actions are given under the 
 appropriate headings in the instructions to the engi- 
 neer, but general instructions for some of them are 
 as follows : 
 
 I. CHARGING BUGGIES, ETC. 
 
 The loads on the buggies should fit the interior of 
 the retort as completely as practicable. This is best 
 attained with green operatives by using the index 
 frame, with rotating arms, which will sweep the cir- 
 cle of permissible loading when placed on the track 
 against the buggy. In a short time the men will 
 learn to do without it. Care should be taken that 
 the loads should present square faces front and rear 
 
 201 
 
on the buggies, as they are to be switched about 
 with the wire rope attached to the rear buggy, all 
 the others being pushed by it. When hauling the 
 load into the retort the "pulling in" rope attaches to 
 the last buggy, passes into the retort, and through 
 the hand hole and sheave to the winch, while the 
 "pulling out" rope is attached to the then front 
 buggy, is dragged in with the train, and remains in 
 the retort during the treatment, ready to be fastened 
 to after opening the door. 
 
 The door is closed by inserting and screwing up 
 the hook bolts, going over them, round after round, 
 to ensure even pressures. Before closing the door 
 the packing in the groove is to be lightly gone over 
 with moistened soapstone powder to prevent stick- 
 ing. The door is opened by unscrewing the bolts. 
 Some practice is required to avoid leakages, the in- 
 sertion of the packing being an operation which 
 must be carefully done. 
 
 2. STEAMING. 
 
 The pressure gauere and the thermometer are to 
 be carefully watched during the steaming, as the 
 pressure may not be allowed to go over 20 pounds 
 to the square inch, and the temperature over 240 de- 
 grees Fahrenheit, without danger of injuring the 
 strength of the wood. The length of steaming will 
 vary with the condition of the wood, and must be 
 obtained by experience. In the case of thoroughly 
 seasoned wood (an article which will seldom be 
 treated) the steaming can be omitted altogether with 
 profit. 
 
 3. PRODUCING VACUUM. 
 
 The air pump produces both pressure and vacuum. 
 The latter is employed to exhaust the air and sap 
 from the wood, and should range from 18 to 24 
 inches of mercury, in accordance with the condition 
 of the wood, and the amount of solution it is de- 
 sired to inject. The higher the vaccum the better the 
 wood is prepared. The amount of vapor pumped 
 
 202 
 
out of the retort and condensed in the condenser is 
 measured in the hot well under the latter, and read 
 off in the glass tube. If creosoting, the condensed 
 vapor is saved, if working the zinc-tannin process it 
 is run to waste. 
 
 THE ZINC-TANNIN PROCESS. 
 
 This process consists of five operations : 
 
 1. Steaming the timber. 
 
 2. Producing a vacuum. 
 
 3. Admitting chloride of zinc. Pressure. 
 
 4. Blow back, admitting gelatine. Pressure. 
 
 5. Blow back, admitting tannin. Pressure. 
 The steaming of the timber and the vacuum are 
 
 to be carried out in exactly the same manner as for 
 creosoting, and the remarks already made will apply. 
 The third operation consists in admitting the 
 chloride of zinc solution, previously heated to 150 
 F., from the chloride storage tank, and in applying 
 pressure with the zinc pump. The time during 
 which this pressure is to continue will vary with 
 the condition of the timber, but will generally be 
 two or three hours, during which the pressure must 
 be maintained at 100 pounds to the square inch, 
 watching the gauge, and regulating the pump. When 
 the wood has been fully injected the chloride solu- 
 tion is to be forced back with compressed air into 
 its tank. The strength of the solution should gen- 
 erally be 3.5 Beaume. If the timber is refractory 
 this may be increased to 5 Beaume. 
 
 4. BLOW BACK ADMITTING GELATINE PRESSURE. 
 
 The chloride of zinc solution haying: been forced 
 back from the retort, the gelatine is next admitted, 
 and upon this a pressure is applied of 100 pounds to 
 the square inch for 30 to 60 minutes. The wood has 
 already been filled with the chloride of zinc, but 
 upon the removal of its pressure a certain portion 
 has been driven out by the re-expanding of the air 
 included in the sap cells, thus making some room 
 
for the gelatine. This penetrates perhaps one inch, 
 under the renewed pressure, but a portion of this is 
 again driven out by re-expanding, thus making room 
 for the fifth operation. 
 
 5. BLOW BACK, ADMITTING TANNIN. PRESSURE. 
 
 The gelatine having been forced back into its ap- 
 propriate tank, the tannin is next admitted, and pres- 
 sure is applied of 100 pounds to the square inch by 
 the pump, for 30 to 60 minutes. This penetrates 
 from ^2 to 24 of an inch, and on coming into con- 
 tact with the gelatine forms an insoluble substance 
 which obstructs the dragging put of the chloride of 
 zinc during the alternate soaking and drying out of 
 timber when exposed to the weather. 
 
 This last operation having been performed, the 
 tannin is forced back into its tank and the treatment 
 is completed. 
 
 The time occupied by these various operations as 
 carried out at works in Chicago is as follows: 
 
 Hours. Min. 
 
 Charging two retorts with ties (read tank 
 
 gauges) o 30 
 
 Producing steam pressure to 20 Ibs. (read 
 
 steam gauge) o 30 
 
 Maintenance steam pressure (read ther- 
 mometer) 3 
 
 Blowing off steam o 15 
 
 Working vacuum pump to extract sap. . . . i 
 
 Admission chloride solution (red indi- 
 cator) o 30 
 
 Duration pressure on solution (read indi- 
 cator) 3 
 
 Forcing back chloride solution (read indi- 
 cator) o 20 
 
 Admission gelatine solution (read indi- 
 cator) ... o 15 
 
 Duration pressure on gelatine I 
 
 Forcing back gelatine solution (read indi- 
 cator) o 15 
 
 204 
 
Hours. Min. 
 
 Admission tannin solution (read indica- 
 tor) o 15 
 
 Duration pressure on tannin o 30 
 
 Forcing back tannin solution (read indi- 
 cator) O 20 
 
 Discharging the retorts o 20 
 
 12 
 
 The time of these various operations may be some- 
 what varied, and can be shortened to 8 hours if the 
 timber is well seasoned. In Europe, where the wood 
 has been seasoned 6 to 12 months, the treatment with 
 chloride of zinc (omitting gelatine and tannin) is 
 done in about 5 hours. It is desirable to arrange the 
 time occupied so that the discharging and recharg- 
 ing the retorts shall be done when the timber han- 
 dlers are at hand to help. The works are generally 
 run night and day. 
 
 CHECK OF WORK DONE. 
 
 The most accurate way of checking off the work 
 done is to weigh each buggy load just before and 
 just after treatment. The difference in weight 
 shows the number of pounds of solution injected, 
 and as the strength of the chloride of zinc solution 
 is known before hand, the amount of dry chloride 
 injected is computed by multiplying the weight by 
 the percentage corresponding to the degrees Beaume. 
 The following table gives those percentages : 
 
 PERCENTAGES OF ZINC CHLORIDE. 
 
 Fractional degrees may be obtained by interpola- 
 tion. 
 
 This method involves putting a track scale at 
 some convenient point, and passing every buggy 
 over it, stopping long enough to weigh it, and re- 
 cording the results in a book. The buggies have 
 also to be identified at each weighing, and tabular 
 statements have to be made of the results. All 
 
 205 
 
this takes time, and costs something for labor, so 
 that it is somewhat cheaper to rely wholly upon the 
 records of gauging kept by the engineers, which 
 should be kept in any event, and which may serve 
 as a further check upon the weighing, should the 
 latter be done. 
 
 The operating engineer is to keep a record about 
 as follows. It may be modified to suit circum- 
 stances : 
 
 RECORD OF OPERATIONS.* 
 
 From which record the results may afterwards be 
 entered into a book under such headings as may be 
 deemed most desirable. 
 
 The left-hand set of blanks gives a record of the 
 time of each operation, and the right-hand set gives 
 the data for calculating the results. 
 
 The computations are made in this way: 
 
 The retort has previously been gauged with the 
 empty buggies and "pulling out" wire rope inside, 
 and it is therefore known how many cubic feet it 
 contains when in that condition. This will be about 
 1,210 cubic feet. The reading of the index or indi- 
 cator on the zinc chloride tank has been taken at 
 the beginning of the operation, thus showing how 
 many vertical feet there are in the tank. The "re- 
 turn point" of this indicator has also been read after 
 the chloride has all been forced back. Hence the 
 difference between those two readings will show 
 how many vertical feet from the tank have been 
 absorbed by the wood, and this multiplied by the 
 number of square feet per foot of tank, which will 
 be 113.10, if it is just 12 feet inside diameter, will 
 give the number of cubic feet of solution which 
 has gone into the wood. From this the pounds of 
 solution, or pounds of dry chloride, may be deduced 
 by applying the appropriate factors. 
 
 To arrive at the cubic feet displaced by the 
 charge, it is necessary to deduct the reading of 
 "lowest point indicator" from the "return point in- 
 dicator" ; the difference, multiplied as before by the 
 
 *See page 78. AUTHOR. 206 
 
square feet of area, gives the number of cubic feet 
 which the retort still contained after the wood had 
 been injected, and by deducting from this the num- 
 ber of cubic feet which the retort holds when only 
 empty cars are therein, we obtain the displacement 
 of the load in cubic feet; from which the pounds 
 of wood may be calculated by applying the proper 
 factor. Both calculations will be greatly shortened 
 by preparing tables corresponding to each vertical 
 foot of tanks, after the latter and the retort have 
 been accurately gauged. 
 
 The amount of gelatine and tannin solutions ab- 
 sorbed may be computed in the same way, but there 
 is little interest in doing so, as the chloride of zinc 
 is the real preservative. 
 
 The data for each run should subsequently be en- 
 tered in a book, in such order as the nature of the 
 work requires. 
 
 
 ,bi 
 
Stipe. 
 
 CREOSOTING TIMBER. 
 DESCRIPTION OF OUR PROCESS. 
 
 T IO 
 
 "CREOSOTING." 
 
 "The timber is first loaded on cars and run into 
 cylinders which are then hermetically sealed with 
 immense iron heads. Steam is then admitted into 
 the cylinder and surrounding the timber. Superheated 
 steam is also introduced into the cylinders by means 
 of large coils so that it does not come in contact 
 with the timber, and the heat is maintained until 
 the timber is heated all through at a low temperature 
 so as not to injure the woody fibres. The cylinder 
 is then freed of all vapors, and the vacuum pumps 
 are put to work to exhaust all the sap and moisture, 
 which is then in the shape of vapor, from the 
 cylinder. Heat is maintained in the coils to prevent 
 the vapor from condensing and thereby remaining 
 in the timber. As the vacuum pumps are constantly 
 removing the hot vapor from the timber it is abso- 
 lutely necessary to keep the heat above the con- 
 densing point. To do this requires practical expe- 
 rience and means of knowing what such heat is, 
 and as said before, those two parts of the process 
 are the most important, and if properly done, the oil 
 will be readily forced into the timber. After this 
 has been done the oil is admitted into the cylinders 
 while th'ey are under vacuum, and when all air has 
 been withdrawn they are subjected to pressure until 
 the requisite amount (which is determined by cor- 
 rect gauges and thermometers) has been forced 
 into the timber, which, if the timber has been prop- 
 erly prepared, is only a small part of the process, 
 but if this has not been well done, the oil cannot 
 be put into the timber. The cells of healthy timber 
 are full of different substances, which, when sub- 
 jected to heat, can be changed into vapor, and, un- 
 less the vapor has been completely removed, you 
 
cannot force the oil into the timber, no matter how 
 long the pressure has been applied. It is only by 
 practical knowledge and delicate instruments that 
 we determine when the heat has reached the center 
 of the timber, and the vapor there formed has been 
 removed. 
 
 "There will be no decay in any part of the timber 
 that has been permeated with the oil, but to have 
 all parts saturated is expensive and useless ; for, after 
 the timber has been thoroughly treated by the heat 
 and vacuum process, it will last a long time without 
 any oil, and if the crevices and pores are sealed 
 up with the oil to a sufficient depth, the timber is 
 as good as if the whole part has been thoroughly 
 permeated with the oil. The quantity of the oil to 
 be used should be determined by the use to which 
 the timber is to be subjected. 
 
 "The Dead Oil of Coal Tar used by us in the 
 treatment of timber contains carbolic and cressylic 
 acids which were the only two substances out oi the 
 thirty -five examined by Dr. Calvert which perfectly 
 prevented the growth of fungus life, while it is an 
 established fact that timber impregnated with Dead 
 Oil of Coal Tar offers perfect resistance to the 
 ravages of the Toredo, the other insects, wet and 
 dry rot 
 
 "Dead Oil of Coal Tar is the only known material 
 that effectually prevents the ravages of the marine 
 worms and prevents decay." 
 
 EPPINGER & RUSSELL CO., 
 
 First street and Newton Creek, 
 
 Long Island City, N. Y. 
 
 209 
 
"THE GIUSSANI PROCESS." 
 
 The process consists of submitting the tie to a hot 
 bath of anthracene and pitch, heated to about 140 
 C. (284 F.) This anthracene and pitch having a 
 high boiling point, shows no signs of ebullition at 
 this degree of heat. Immediately upon the introduc- 
 tion of the tie into this hot oil, ebullition takes place 
 and steam and moisture passes off, showing con- 
 clusively that some of the constituents of the wood 
 are passing away. After a period varying from 2 
 to 4 hours, this ebullition ceases, showing that the 
 sap and moisture have completely passed off. 
 
 After the above heating process, the tie is trans- 
 ported mechanically into a cold bath of heavy oil 
 of tar; remaining in this bath for a period of about 
 10 minutes, again, it is mechanically carried into a 
 bath of cold chloride of zinc, and remaining there a 
 variable time, according to the amount desired to 
 inject into the tie. 
 
 If it is so desired, the tie can be treated with oil 
 of tar alone. In fact, anything in a preservative line 
 can be so injected into the ties. 
 
 A guarantee that Beech ties shall last as follows: 
 About 75 p. c. must last 10 years, 25 p. c. 12 years, 
 and 15 p. c. 15 years. 
 
 F. W. DRURY, Secy. 
 
 210 
 

 TH 
 
 CHlCfKO 
 
 The Martin Oil Joint is adopted in this case to give 
 flexibility at three different points. First to allow the 
 reach of the connection to be held by the tower in a 
 nearly vertical position when not in use; to allow it to 
 be lowered to connect with the pump on the vessel 
 and to accommodate itself to the varying position 
 of the vessel. The joint has a rotary motion on the 
 perpendicular of its axis and also a limited movement 
 from the axis. Three joints are here used. 
 
 211 
 
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 213 
 
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 214 
 
SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF 
 TIMBER. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY NOTE. 
 
 From the nature of the business and the varying 
 conditions, few ironclad provisions can be fixed. So 
 many matters are the subject of judgment derived 
 from extended experience and the varying character 
 of timbers in the various sections of our country 
 that, aside from a few plain rules, suggestions only 
 can be dealt with. 
 
 Then, again, only those processes that have been 
 found effective by the test of time, and this suffi- 
 ciently extended to give results sufficiently definite to 
 satisfy the business public. 
 
 When the following have been named the field 
 seems to be covered, at least to date, to-wit: 
 
 The Burnett or Zinc-Chloride process. 
 
 The Wellhouse or Zinc-Tannin process. 
 
 The Creosote process. 
 
 And probably the Zinc-Creosote or Rutger process. 
 
 Those processes above noted are treated as prac- 
 ticed twenty years ago, and such modifications as 
 have been suggested by subsequent experience will be 
 noticed in appended notes. 
 
 With regard to the CREOSOTE process, the cost 
 of the oil has heretofore, and is still, a bar to its 
 general use for the treatment of railroad ties within 
 the scope of economy. To overcome this two proc- 
 esses are being exploited by which a fair penetration 
 is secured by a much restricted use of the oil, with 
 the view to getting a fair treatment at a much re- 
 duced cost. The Rueping process seeks this end by 
 compressing the air in the timber, and with an in- 
 creased pressure forcing the oil into the timber so 
 as to permeate it, and then allowing the compressed 
 air to force out a considerable portion, leaving what 
 is claimed to be a sufficiency. The second, that of 
 the Giussani, seeks the same end only by a different 
 means. 
 
 The question whether this reduced amount will 
 give as good or better result than the chloride is only 
 
 215 
 
to be determined by trial on the ground and in the 
 track. The probabilities are such in each case that 
 it is well to notice the matter in this connection. 
 
 SPECIFICATIONS FOR BURNETTIZING. 
 
 PROCESS. This process consists of impregna- 
 tion of timber with a diluted solution of Chloride 
 of Zinc. 
 
 METHOD OF APPLICATION. This is done 
 by introducing the timber into a hermetically closed 
 retort, and the impregnation is induced by steaming, 
 drawing a vacuum, and is expedited by pressure. 
 
 STRENGTH OF SOLUTION. The strength of 
 the zinc-chloride solution must be such that is found 
 necessary to secure the prescribed amount per cubic 
 foot of timber, this amount haying been determined 
 by careful test of the timber being treated. 
 
 ZINC-CHLORIDE, HOW MADE. The zinc- 
 chloride is made by combining zinc spelter with 
 hydrochloric acid in such proportions as will com- 
 bine perfectly, leaving no free acid. The fused chlor- 
 ide now manufactured or a concentrated solution 
 can be used, both of which are being used. 
 
 QUANTITY REQUIRED. The quantity of 
 chloride required per cubic foot should be approxi- 
 mately one-half pound per cubic foot of timber. 
 
 PURITY. The zinc chloride, if made from good 
 zinc spelter, will be measurably pure. If fused should 
 contain not over 6 per cent of all impurities and not 
 over one-half of 1 per cent of iron. 
 
 METHOD OF IMPREGNATION. The material 
 to be impregnated is loaded on tram cars or buggies 
 and run into a retort and subjected to: 
 
 1. Steam (saturated and not superheated) filling 
 the retort and held until the timber is heated com- 
 pletely through to the boiling point under a steam 
 pressure of not exceeding 20 pounds per square inch, 
 for not less than such time as is found necessary to 
 bring the timber to such temperature as above stated. 
 
 2. A vacuum shall be drawn on the charge to 26 
 inches if at or near sea level ; for 3,500 feet elevation, 
 
 216 
 
not less than 23 inches, and for 7,000 feet, not less 
 than 20 inches of vacuum said vacuum to be held 
 not less than one-half hour after such degree of 
 vacuum shall have been secured. 
 
 3. Without releasing the vacuum the chloride so- 
 lution is let in to the retort, and when the retort is 
 filled pressure shall be applied by means of a force 
 pump until a pressure of one hundred pounds is 
 attained, and so held until the desired impregnation 
 is secured. The retort is then opened and the charge 
 removed. 
 
 SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE WELLHOUSE 
 OR ZINC-TANNIN PROCESS. 
 
 PROCESS. The Wellhouse or Zinc-Tannin proc- 
 ess consists in impregnation of the timber with the 
 chloride of zinc solution, essentially as in the Bur- 
 nett process, with a prescribed amount of dissolved 
 glue added, followed by an application of tannic acid 
 in solution, by which the glue, absorbed with the 
 chloride, is neutralized and changed into a "leather- 
 oid," the two serving to some degree as a plug in 
 the pores of the timber and as a deterrent to the 
 passage of water into or from the timber. 
 
 GLUE Ordinary glue of commerce is used, that 
 highest in Gelatine being preferable. Such glue as 
 will combine with about an equal amount of tannin 
 extract should be selected. 
 
 TANNIC ACID. The extract of hemlock bark is 
 usually employed, although there seems to be no 
 reason why other tannin extracts should not be 
 equally efficient The tannin extract containing from 
 25 to 30 per cent of pure tannic acid is used, but if 
 lower in the acid, more of the extract can be used. 
 
 AMOUNT OF EACH. The glue and tannin to 
 be used should, in the first place, be proportioned so 
 as to combine completely, increasing that less strong 
 in the essential qualities in larger proportion, each 
 being made into a solution by adding pure water, 
 the glue being added to the chloride solution and 
 
 217 
 
applied with it, and the tannic solution being applied 
 after the former solution is forced back. The amount 
 of the glue and tannin should be not less than one- 
 tenth of the amount of pure chloride used (each). 
 
 STRENGTH OF SOLUTIONS. The strength of 
 the chloride of zinc solution should be such that is 
 found necessary to secure the absorption of the pre- 
 scribed amount of pure chloride per cubic foot of 
 timber, this amount having been determined by care- 
 ful test of the timber being treated. 
 
 The amount of glue should be not less than one- 
 half of 1 per cent in weight of the whole amount of 
 chloride solution to which it is added. 
 
 The strength of the tannin soltuion should be one- 
 half of 1 per cent in weight of the whole contents 
 holding the tannin solution. 
 
 TO MAINTAIN STRENGTH OF. Glue, unlike 
 the chloride solution, is depleted by contact with the 
 charge, hence should be reinforced after each expo- 
 sure, and with the tannic acid it is the same; hence 
 each should be renewed according to the following 
 rule: "To the amount of tannin solution absorbed 
 add the amount of the chloride solution absorbed, 
 and for glue and tannin add one-half of i per cent 
 by weight each to its proper receptacle, preparatory 
 to the next charge of timber. 
 
 PROGRAM OF OPERATION. The Wellhouse 
 process consists of: 
 
 1. The application of saturated steam under 20 
 pounds per inch pressure until the timber has been 
 heated to the boiling point to the center, for such 
 length of time as is necessary to bring the heat of 
 the timber to not less than 198 degrees Fah. 
 
 2. The steam being released, a vacuum is produced 
 to 26 inches at or near sea level, 23 inches at an 
 elevation of 3,500 feet, and 20 inches at 7,000 feet 
 above sea level, all as indicated by mercurial gauge, 
 and this held for not less than 30 minutes. 
 
 3. The vacuum being still held, the chloride, car- 
 rying also the glue in solution, is introduced, com- 
 pletely submerging the timber charge, and when the 
 
 218 
 
retort is full, pressure is applied by means of a force 
 pump until 100 pounds per square inch is attained, 
 and so held until the desired or prescribed amount 
 of impregnation is secured. 
 
 When the chloride solution is forced back into its 
 proper receptacle, the tannin solution is introduced 
 and pressure brought to bear to a maximum of 100 
 Ibs. per square inch and so held for about one hour 
 and then forced back. 
 
 This completes the operation and the charge is 
 withdrawn. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NOTE (A) Heating Solution. Originally in the 
 Wellhouse process no special heating appliances were 
 used. During the steaming process the chloride 
 solution was heated to about 100 degrees Fah. and 
 maintained something like this temperature under 
 moderate climatic conditions. Subsequent experience, 
 however, indicates that all stages of the treatment 
 are facilitated by heating the solutions before or dur- 
 ing application to the timber. 
 
 A still further and weightier reason is that the 
 combination of the chemicals are much more com- 
 plete. The appliances should therefore be adequate 
 to raise the temperature to 140 degrees Fah. in the 
 tubs, this being as hot as can be pumped, and then 
 by means of heating coil in the retort the tempera- 
 ture should be increased 40 degrees more, or to al- 
 most boiling point. 
 
 NOTE (B). Another modification of the Well- 
 house, or rather of the zinc-tannin process, has been 
 recommended and to some extent adopted, may be 
 here noted. 
 
 . THE THREE MOVEMENT. Wherein the glue 
 is made into a separate solution and applied after 
 the timber has been impregnated with the chloride 
 of zinc, and then followed by the tannin solution. 
 Where timbers are very difficult to impregnate a 
 larger amount of the chloride may be absorbed than 
 
 219 
 
with the glue added, or at least such is the basis of 
 this modification of the process. 
 
 NOTE (c). Another modification of the above men- 
 tioned process is suggested by experience, i. e., that 
 of drawing a slight vacuum on finishing the impreg- 
 nation with the chloride solution, withdrawing a 
 portion of the chloride from the outside of the tim- 
 ber, where it is superabundant, thus allowing a 
 greater penetration by the succeeding application, 
 whether it be glue or the tannin, as in the first de- 
 scribed Wellhouse process. 
 
 The same will apply to the Burnett process, where 
 complaints have been made of much waste from th6 
 drippings after removal of the charge from the re- 
 tort. 
 
 NOTE (D). As before noticed, the action of the 
 chemicals is found to be much accelerated by having 
 the solutions hot, then with the same heating coils 
 in action, after forcing back the solution and com- 
 pletion of the operation, why not allow the action to 
 continue, thus rapidly drying the timber by vaporiza- 
 tion, which does not affect or withdraw the chem- 
 icals, while it does withdraw the water rapidly. 
 
 It is well that this be tested, as the drying to any 
 extent, small or great, tells in the after handling of 
 the timber. 
 
 We discovered this fact in our small laboratory 
 plant. 
 
 NOTE (E). Another modification of the Burnett 
 process is that of first boiling the charge in the oil 
 without pressure for such time as will extract all 
 the saps or moisture from the timber, then drawing 
 out a portion of the oil by the vacuum pump and 
 then introducing the zinc-chloride and putting it 
 under the usual pressure of 100 pounds per square 
 inch. This method of preparing the timber (season- 
 ing) instead of using steam seems to commend 
 itself. See post., pp. (223) Beal on Saturated Steam. 
 
 220 
 

 SPECIFICATIONS FOR CREOSOTING. 
 
 PROCESS. The creosote process is understood 
 to be the impregnation of timber by the use of the 
 heavy extracts of coal tar, which in turn is a product 
 of coal distillation in the manufacture of illuminating 
 gas. 
 
 CREOSOTE consists of all the poisonous by- 
 products of the coal distillation, and hence are de- 
 structive to all animal and vegetable life, and seems 
 particularly adapted to the preservation of the wood 
 and in no degree injurious to the wood fiber. 
 
 PREPARING FOR IMPREGNATION. The 
 timber is prepared for the reception of the creosote 
 oil first by steaming the timber, as before described 
 in Burnettizing and in the Wellhouse process, and 
 following with the vacuum and introducing the oil 
 while the vacuum is held. 
 
 PRESSURE. As soon as the retort has been 
 completely filled, pressure to not exceed 100 pounds 
 per square inch is applied and held until the desired 
 or prescribed amount has been absorbed. 
 
 HEAT OF OIL. As the creosote oil hardens par- 
 tially at a moderate temperature it must necessarily 
 be heated, first in the receptacle in which it is stored, 
 to a degree that will allow it to be pumped into the 
 retort by the pressure pump by means of heating 
 coils in the said storage receptacle, and then to a 
 much higher degree after let into the retort by means 
 of further and ample coils fixed in the retort 
 
 CREOSOTE STORAGE TANK. Owing to the 
 volatility of the creosote oil and the tendency to 
 waste, the tank or receptacle must be of metal. 
 (Steel,) and be covered. 
 
 AMOUNT OF OIL REQUIRED. In making 
 specifications as to the amount of oil per cubic foot 
 of timber to be required in treating, it is usual to 
 require about as follows: For railroad cross-ties, 
 10 to 12 pounds ; for dimension timbers, 15 to 20, and 
 for piles, 20 to 30 or more per cubic foot of timber. 
 
 As timbers vary so much in density and absorbent 
 powers, it would seem better and to be almost the 
 
 221 
 
only practicable method to base the requirement upon 
 this quality of the timber and let it be determined 
 by actual trial. It is well known that the oil, espe- 
 cially the heavier and more valuable portion, cannot 
 be forced into the timber to the extent that is possi- 
 ble with the aqueous solutions without undue pres- 
 sure that will injure the timber and result, after the 
 pressure is removed, in a great waste of the oil. 
 
 CREOSOTING. 
 
 NOTE (A). Another method of impregnating with 
 creosote oil is that of boiling the timber in the retort 
 without pressure until the impregnation is complete. 
 This is covered with patent. 
 
 NOTE (B). Then, again, we have the Giussanni 
 process, the creosote being contained in an unsealed 
 vat of sufficient length (250 feet or more) supplied 
 with heating coils, by which the oil is maintained 
 at a high (boiling) temperature and the ties are 
 loaded in sets of four or eight and carried through 
 the vat at a very slow rate, allowing time enough to 
 drive off all moisture, and finally the ties are plunged 
 into a vat of cold oil for a few minutes and then 
 discharged. In the process proper there is a tank 
 of chloride of zinc solution, interposed between the 
 hot immersion and the cold, the chloride solution 
 being cold, by which the inner part of the tie is im- 
 pregnated with the chloride. The whole process is 
 carried through automatically from the time the sets 
 of ties are clamped in until they are discharged with 
 treatment completed. 
 
 NOTE (c). "The Rueping process" consists sim- 
 ply in pressing the oil into the timber. It is operated 
 on the principle that by the application of air pres- 
 sure the air in the timber is reduced to one-half of 
 its volume, then the oil is let in at that pressure, 
 and then, by means of the force pump, the air is still 
 further compressed, the oil forced into every part 
 of the piece, then all pressure is released and the 
 compressed air is allowed to force a part of the oil 
 
 222 
 
out again, leaving the timber fiber coated, but retain- 
 ing only about half of the oil. 
 
 NOTE (D). When charge, having been treated by 
 the ordinary process, comes from the retort, espe- 
 cially if it has been subjected to overpressure, it will 
 be all of a drip with clinging and oozing oil. In such 
 case it will be found practicable to clean the surface 
 of oil and to save much of it by turning on live 
 steam so as to fill the retort and hold for a few 
 minutes. Not only is there a saving of oil, but the 
 condition of the timber is much better for handling. 
 
 THE USE OF SATURATED STEAM. 
 
 The following address of Mr. F. D. Beal before 
 the Wood Preservers' Association at New Orleans. 
 January 18, is thought to be worthy of reproduc- 
 tion in this work. Mr. Beal is superintendent of the 
 Southern Pacific Timber Treating Plant, West Oak- 
 land, Cal. We reproduce it by permission and com- 
 mend the freedom with which the matter is treated. 
 This shows that the association is proving very use- 
 ful. S. M. R. 
 
 Of late years the demand for ties and structural 
 timber has been so great for immediate use that 
 manufacturers are unable to furnish a natural sea- 
 soned product. Therefore to a great extent it is 
 necessary to season our material artificially in order 
 to supply the demand placed upon us. 
 
 The question arises as to the best method of sea- 
 soning, also as to what constitutes the preliminary 
 handling of timber to prepare it for the injection of 
 the preservative fluid. A great deal of discussion is 
 arising at the present time concerning the season- 
 ing of timber, as to the best methods of carrying it 
 out, etc. 
 
 Some maintain that all timber should be seasoned 
 naturally, and not artificially, in order to secure the 
 best results, which would mean only the evaporation 
 of water contained in the wood. Others that, to 
 insure perfect results, all wood acids and resinous 
 
 223 
 
matters should be extracted, which would necessitate 
 the artificial treatment to prepare it for the reception 
 of the preservative liquid. Both sides are fortunate 
 enough to be able to produce records covering the 
 best of results in support of their arguments. 
 
 Characters and conditions of timber vary so greatly 
 that one has to be governed by the immediate sur- 
 rounding conditions and do the best under the cir- 
 cumstances. In the Burnettizing process, when green 
 material is used for treatment, it is necessary to 
 season artificially in order to prepare it for the in- 
 jection of zinc solution. I found in my experience 
 that the manner of seasoning had to be varied 
 greatly, according to the character of the timber. On 
 some classes of material I advocate air seasoning, 
 on others I do not. 
 
 On the Pacific Coast we have a sap pine which 
 we term "Shasta sap pine," running 75 to 90 per 
 cent sap wood. On this class of material I think it 
 would be policy to thoroughly air-season before 
 treatment, as this class of material when green con- 
 tains a large percentage of sap water and wood 
 liquids, also a large percentage of resinous pitchy 
 matter. By air seasoning a large amount of this 
 liquid would be eliminated, which would shorten the 
 process of treatment to a large extent. 
 
 But I think the process of seasoning should be 
 carried further after the material has been placed in 
 the cylinder, if for no other purpose than expelling 
 the air in open cells, which would act as a resisting 
 force against the injection of the preserving fluid. 
 This, of course, can be accomplished by applying 
 saturated steam, heating the timber thoroughly 
 throughout, forcing all air out and any liquid matter 
 remaining in the wood which would act as food for 
 any destructive fungi, also killing all diseases pecu- 
 liar to tree life. 
 
 As to safe temperatures, it would be pretty hard 
 to set a standard that would be applicable to all 
 classes of material. Some woods can stand a higher 
 temperature than others without materially affecting 
 
 224 
 
the strength of the fiber. Some classes of material 
 which I have had occasion to handle I have carried 
 as high as 280 degrees Fahr. without affecting the 
 strength of the wood. On some classes of material 
 this, possibly, would be pretty high. 
 
 On the Pacific Coast we have occasion to treat 
 with the Burnettizing process a large amount of 
 Oregon red fir ties, which you all know to be a 
 firm, close-grained wood. On this class of material 
 we obtain much better results by treating in the 
 green state. In allowing these ties to air season the 
 resinous matter becomes congealed and so hard 
 that we find difficulty in dissolving this matter in 
 order to allow our solution to penetrate readily. To 
 do it the steaming has to be carried to such an ex- 
 treme that, as a result, the material is practically 
 burned up and worthless. We found that we ob- 
 tained much better results by treating these ties 
 green, steaming them from three to four hours, 
 and not allowing the temperature to exceed 280 de- 
 grees Fahr., thus eliminating the resinous matter 
 (which is to a certain extent in liquid form while 
 the wood is green) much easier than if it had been 
 allowed to harden by air seasoning. 
 
 I do not wish it to be understood that I believe 
 in steaming timber as the best method of artificially 
 seasoning it, but of course in the Burnettizing proc- 
 ess, when zinc solution alone is used as a preserva- 
 tive, steaming is about the only way of applying our 
 preliminary treatment I believe that the process of 
 using saturated steam as a means of seasoning tim- 
 ber, so universally carried out in this country, can 
 be improved greatly by using other methods. Al- 
 though good results are being obtained by using the 
 steaming process, especially on the more open- 
 grained, spongy woods, yet in ^ treating the more 
 denser woods, such as Oregon pine, red fir, etc., the 
 steaming proposition has proven to be a complete 
 failure when it is applied to large dimension timber 
 and piling in the creosoting process. On account of 
 having to be carried to such an extreme, in order to 
 
 225 
 
thoroughly sterilize and remove the sap, moisture 
 and other destructive matter in the wood, the 
 strength of the material was so reduced that it was 
 practically worthless. 
 
 There are a great many concerns using the steam- 
 ing and vacuum process on these denser woods by 
 using a limited amount of steam and then injecting 
 the preservative. When applied in this manner good 
 lasting results will never be obtained, for the mois- 
 ture and destructive agents contained in the wood 
 have not been removed, and the consequence is that 
 the center of the material decays, leaving an outer 
 shell of treated wood, the thickness of the depth to 
 which creosote oil or other preservative liquid has 
 penetrated. 
 
 It has been found by long experience in treating 
 these denser woods that most perfect results are 
 obtained by carrying on seasoning similar to Boul- 
 ton's method of boiling the timber or piling in creo- 
 sote oil, an improvement being made in the process 
 by cutting out the operation of a vacuum pump and 
 simply allowing the vapor to come off of its own 
 accord, discharging into a surface condenser, through 
 which cold water is circulated, thus creating its own 
 vacuum by the elimination of sap and moisture con- 
 tained in the timber. 
 
 In this manner, by carrying a low temperature, say 
 212 to 220 degrees Fahr., all the moisture can be 
 extracted, the wood thoroughly sterilized throughout, 
 and, one of the most important features of all, the 
 exact dryness of the material can be ascertained by 
 the amount of condensation collected in the hot well 
 of the condenser, as all condensation collected rep- 
 resents moisture from the wood alone, and is not 
 mixed with condensed steam, which would be the 
 case when saturated steam was used in seasoning. 
 
 Seasoning timber in this manner has proven to be 
 the most satisfactory method in existence, on account 
 of its being applicable to any class of material with 
 the best results, which cannot be said of saturated 
 or superheated steam directly applied. It is the 
 
 226 
 
most effective way of applying the heat, and you can 
 accomplish the result with low temperatures, thus 
 eliminating the possibility of injuring the wood fiber 
 in any way by subjecting it to intense heat, which 
 would be necessary were the seasoning carried out 
 by steaming. 
 
 The length of time required is no greater than 
 when treating with a steaming process, and on some 
 classes of material the time of treatment runs con- 
 siderably less. There is one important feature in 
 connection with seasoning timber in the above man- 
 ner; in instances when close-grained, firm, hard 
 woods are what we term "water seasoned" that is, 
 the natural sap and moisture has been displaced by 
 water absorbed on account of piling lying in the 
 water in rafts for a long period. Ordinarily it takes 
 a long time to extract this water, especially when 
 piles run in large diameters. I have treated some 
 of this class of material when the time of extracting 
 the water alone was 75 hours on a single charge. 
 After remaining in this condition for so long a 
 time, one would naturally suppose that the life would 
 be taken completely out of the wood, but quite to 
 the contrary is the case. The piles come out in per- 
 fect condition, with hardly a sign of checking or 
 crackinsr in any manner, and with nearly as much 
 life and elasticity in the wood before treatment. 
 
 I firmly believe that instead of steaming our pine 
 ties to season them we should give them a bath in 
 creosote oil, maintaining the temperature above the 
 boiling point of water for the length of time neces- 
 sary to extract the sap and other injurious ingre- 
 dients, and then inject our zinc solution, we would 
 have a far superior product, besides having an oily 
 coating on the exterior of the tie to turn the mois- 
 ture and prevent to a certain extent the leaching of 
 soluble salts. 
 
 227 
 
AS TO PROCESS AND AGENTS.* 
 
 Perhaps one of the most important questions to 
 be considered is the process you will decide to use. 
 The whole trend of opinion seems now to be that 
 only creosote or some modification of that agent, 
 combined with other known preservatives, can be 
 considered. With this view I concur as to effective- 
 ness, but it must always be held in mind that to 
 the extent that creosote is used there has to be the 
 added cost of the creosote at the rate of three-quarters 
 of a cent per pound, or nearly this over and above 
 any mineral salt that may be used in combination 
 with the oil. 
 
 For a tie impregnation with 12 pounds of oil, 9 
 cents per cubic foot, or 27 cents per average cross- 
 tie, is added to the other items of cost. Were this 
 alone to be considered, 35 cents instead of 12 cents 
 (cost of zinc-tannin), it might be borne, but it is 
 only inferior timber that will take this much with- 
 out applying UNDUE PRESSURE which INJURES 
 the texture of the wood, in which case the excess 
 of oil will flow out again and be wasted, although 
 technically the prescribed amount has been injected. 
 Then, again, this same timber is scarcely ever pene- 
 trated throughout half of its volume, it being im- 
 possible, for well-established physical reasons, to 
 penetrate the piece to the center, unless it be the 
 very poorest and most porous timber (say Loblolly 
 pine) over dried. Good, well grown timber of the 
 better grade will not take 15 pounds to the cubic 
 foot except by OVER-PRESSURE. 
 
 Some process that combines the oil with the more 
 easily injected chloride of zinc, the oil acting after- 
 ward to protect the zinc, would seem to be in the 
 direction of a better result than with the zinc chloride 
 alone. 
 
 Among all the suggestions that of Mr. Beal, man- 
 ager of the Southern Railway Timber Treating 
 
 ^Extract from report, August, 1905. 
 
 228 
 
plant, seems to be the most feasible namely, to boil 
 the timber in the creosote oil until the water (mois- 
 ture) is expelled, then fill it with chloride of zinc. 
 This method has not, so far as I know, been tested 
 for a series of years, yet ^ it is in line of common 
 sense and is worthy of trial. Much more so than 
 most of the new processes now being forced into 
 public notice in advance of the TEST OF TIME. 
 
 The penetration is slight, but it has the advantage 
 of small expense of the oil, and as a more or less 
 retarder of the absorption of water and a protection 
 of the chloride of zinc, which will easily penetrate 
 the coating of oil and fill the whole area of the piece. 
 
 The Rutger or zinc-creosote process is quite well 
 authenticated and may well be used in the treatment 
 of both ties and timber. 
 
 The process known as the "Allcrdyce," in which 
 the timber is subjective to the zinc-chloride first and 
 then subjected to the oil under pressure, I do not 
 think can be of much value, as very little oil can 
 be forced in, and that only the lightest and least 
 valuable portion of the oil. 
 
 Several other processes are being promoted indus- 
 trially, among which the "Rueping" and the "'Gius- 
 sani," the latter an old one revised. If (as seems 
 well authenticated) the high pressure used injures 
 the fiber and solidity of the wood, then there is one 
 insuperable objection to it, as from 220 to 230 pounds 
 of pressure is used in the Rueping process. (See note 
 page 233.) 
 
 In the practice of impregnating with chloride after 
 steaming and the vacuum, as with the Burnett, zinc- 
 tannin or the plain creosote oil, the rule has been 
 well established that 100 pounds, or even less, will 
 impregnate as well and as completely as a higher 
 pressure, while a much higher pressure will separate 
 the fiber and check the timber. 
 
 Let us look at the matter from another stand- 
 point. If we subject any timber to immersion in 
 clean water, we find that the water is absorbed first 
 quite rapidly, and then more slowly. The very open 
 
 229 
 
wood, when well dried before immersion, will cease 
 to take any at the end of about sixty days and will 
 not exceed 55 per cent of the volume of the timber, 
 and the more compact will take less, until the most 
 compact will take but 15 to 20 per cent; the mean 
 of some fifty different specimens will be less than 
 30 per cent. When fully impregnated by natural 
 capillary absorption, all the voids are presumed to 
 have been filled and have become water-logged. 
 
 In creosoting sound piles or timber only about 
 one-half of the volume is reached, and the voids of 
 one-half of each cubic foot would not be more than 
 15 per cent, or 259.2 cubic inches, while 15 pounds 
 of creosote would be about equal to two gallons or 
 some 460 cubic inches, or 44 per cent greater than 
 the voids in the timber. Anything in excess of this 
 will be injected by over pressure and will gradually 
 ooze out and be lost. 
 
 In the matter of treating piling there is no ques- 
 tion that the injection of creosote oil in the greatest 
 practicable quantity is the true policy, but in doing 
 so its absorption should be induced rather than 
 forced, which if handled intelligently will be equally 
 effective. An ironclad specification as to quantity, 
 if made at all, should conform to good judgment, 
 taking into consideration the above facts. 
 
 I have gone into this phase of the matter more 
 fully in consequence of many misleading theories 
 and statements that have been current tending to 
 throw discredit on well attested results of the less 
 costly and more economical methods of treatments. 
 B COST OF VARIOUS PROCESSES. 
 
 Taking the actual cost of the zinc-tannin process 
 at four of the standard works in the United States 
 as a basis, we have for a 3 cubic foot tie : 
 
 Chemicals 7.81 cents 
 
 Labor 4.61 cents 
 
 Making total net cost 12.42 cents 
 
 L 3^4 cubic f 
 $3.45 per M. B. M. 
 
 For a 3^4 cubic foot, this is equal to 15.26 cents 
 
 230 
 
In like manner the Rueping process would be, with 
 5 pounds per cubic foot, at ^ cents per pound for 
 oil, for a 3 cubic foot tie, 15.85 cents, and for a 3^4 
 cubic foot tie, 1978 cents $4.40 per M. B. M. 
 
 The zinc creosote would be two or three cents 
 more, as in addition to the 5 pounds of oil there 
 would be about \ l /2 pounds of chloride. 
 
 For full creosote with 15 pounds of oil per cubic 
 foot a 3 cubic foot tie would cost 38.36 cents, and 
 the 3^4 cubic foot, 47.95 cents $10.66 per M. B. M. 
 
 The Ruetger or zinc creosote has the advantage 
 that the partial impregnation by the creosote is sup- 
 plemented by the half-pound of chloride, which does 
 completely permeate the timber. This is especially 
 true with regard to dimension timber, such as bridge 
 stringers and caps, and only less so with piles. I do 
 not know what, if any, change there may be as 
 royalty on the zinc-creosote process, but its records 
 in the past and the character of the operation seem 
 to demand that it be considered. 
 
 In conclusion I would earnestly advise that in in- 
 stalling works that it be made to cover each and all 
 of the most tried methods. The zinc-tannin, the 
 zinc-creosote, the Rueping and the straight creosote 
 all require much the same layout, and when the 
 latter is provided for, very slight additional cost will 
 cover all the others. 
 
 TO THE WESTERN SOCIETY OF ENGI- 
 NEERS* 
 
 It has been a work requiring much attention on 
 the part of the managers of the Santa Fe Company 
 to get the record, so far as to actual results, as to 
 the effect of chemical treatment of their cross-ties. 
 
 The records are not as complete as could be de- 
 sired, but are so carefully kept, so far as kept at 
 all, that we should not complain. These records are 
 
 *Report to W. S. C E., Chicago, March 30, 1905. 
 
 231 
 
perhaps of more value than most that have been 
 kept, on account of the large number treated and 
 the extended time covered. It is here undertaken 
 to restore approximately the lapse of record of tie 
 removals during the first twelve years, and the 
 method it is thought can hardly be questioned. The 
 result is conservative at least, and within the proba- 
 bilities. 
 
 This statement is now offered for the purpose of 
 showing in a concise form the facts in relation to 
 results of the Wellhouse, or zinc-tannin, process for 
 treatment of railroad cross-ties on the A., T. & S. F. 
 R. R. The timber treated was the Rocky Mountain 
 pine of Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona, with a 
 slight sprinkling of pinon. The treatment was com- 
 menced in 1885 under the supervision of the writer. 
 Reports were furnished by the courtesy of the various 
 officers of the railroad company, from which these 
 tables are compiled. 
 
 Unfortunately no records of removals were kept 
 until 1897, twelve years after the treating was com- 
 menced. In compiling the accompanying tables the 
 probable removals are sought to be estimated by 
 using the overage removals for the subsequent years. 
 For instance, the diagonal for the first year, "d" to 
 "c," added together and divided by the number of 
 years gives the average^ of the eight years from 1897 
 to 1904, inclusive, giving one-hundredth of 1 per 
 cent, the second year four-hundredths, the third year 
 one-tenth of 1 per cent, and so on, so that in the 
 fifth year only one and two-tenths per cent have been 
 removed. This is less than are destroyed by acci- 
 dent outside of that of decay. It is then fair to say 
 that practically none fail until the sixth year. The 
 same class of ties untreated were exhausted to nearly 
 75 per cent in the sixth year, many failing at third 
 year. Tables 1 and 2 are approximately correct, 
 being compiled from, in some cases, fragmentary 
 but still full enough reports to give a sufficiently 
 close approximation for all practical purposes. 
 Through President E. P. Ripley, General Manager 
 
H. U. Mudge and Timber Agent E. O. Faulkner 
 the annual reports have been furnished, so that most 
 of the data is correct. Table 1 gives the percentage 
 and table 2 the number of ties. This rate per year, 
 as deduced from the later eight years, proves too 
 high in the case of the 1885 ties by about 25 per cent, 
 as those treated in that year ^ sufficiently exhaust the 
 number treated. To determine this quite definitely 
 the percentage and the number also for the unre- 
 ported years are correspondingly reduced. With sub- 
 sequent years this reduction can only be done when 
 they also approach exhaustion. 
 
 The present condition, however, enables us to 
 further judge as to the probable mean life of those 
 treated ties. 
 
 As none of the treated ties come out before the 
 sixth year, we will take the ties treated in 1885 and 
 1899, inclusive, numbering 4,567,588, rejecting all 
 those treated subsequently; 1,283,552 have been re- 
 moved. That is less than 30 per cent at mean life 
 of nine years. Of the 11,091,774 ties treated up to 
 and including 1904, less than 12 per cent were re- 
 moved. No reflections are intended, but in justice to 
 the railroad company and to the Wellhouse process 
 due credit should be given. A limited number of 
 these ties were treated by the Burnett process in 
 1890, 1891 and 1892, but not enough to furnish defi- 
 nite data to make a comparison between that and 
 the zinc-tannin. Perhaps when these approach ex- 
 haustion this may be done. 
 
 Since the matter of page 229 in relation to the 
 Rueping process as to the pressure required to inpreg- 
 nate the timber, the Author has been able to investi- 
 gate the operation and finds that most of the softer 
 timbers are successfully impregnated with a maximum 
 pressure of not to exceed one hundred and thirty 
 pounds. Hence this process can be carried out in 
 any of the plants now operating on the Burnett or the 
 zinc tannin processes. 
 
 233 
 
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 238 
 
SUMMARY OF THE TIMBER PRESERVA- 
 TION AT THIS DATE. (1905.) 
 
 In this country, the treatment of railroad ties and 
 timber only dates back twenty years with a few ex- 
 ception efforts in a tentative way and in but limited 
 quantities. 
 
 The chloride of zinc and creosote (dead oil of coal 
 tar), taking the lead as the agents, the former owing 
 to the cost coming within the limit of economy has so 
 far outstripped the use of the former that to-day 
 scarcely one great railroad can be found using creo- 
 soted ties systematically. On the other hand, ten or 
 twelve of the largest railroad systems are fast filling 
 their tracks with treated ties almost to the exclusion 
 of untreated. These railroads are using either the 
 Burnett, the simple chloride of zinc process or a 
 modification, in which glue and tannin are employed 
 as a retardent to help to conserve and to prevent in 
 some degree the waste of the chloride by leaching. 
 
 Mr. E. O. Faulkner, of the Santa Fe, estimates that 
 up to last year, near 14,000,000 ties had been treated 
 and placed in track in the United States up to and in- 
 cluding 1904, which is probably a conservative esti- 
 mate. While this is but a small proportion of all ties 
 in use, only about two and one-third per cent, even if 
 all the treated ties were still in, probably about one- 
 third of these have been removed in the case of the 
 earlier years. 
 
 The records are not as perfect and complete as 
 could be desired but even in the face of imperfect 
 records and with indications of imperfect treatment 
 as a possible element, the zinc chloride has shown a 
 great economy in the maintenance of the roadway. 
 
 The summing up will undoubtedly closely parallel 
 the estimate given in Hausser of the Midi Railway 
 in his report to the Seventh Session of the Railway 
 Congress, summing up the results in France, to-wit : 
 
 "Although it is very difficult to give a rule at all 
 generally applicable, it may however be said that 
 there is a unanimous opinion that pickling materially 
 
 239 
 
increases the life of sleepers; approximately the life 
 is doubled in the case of oak sleepers, tripled in that 
 of pine and quintupled (?) in that of beech." 
 
 The interrogation point is interpolated as the as to 
 quintuple, for the beech may be too high for this 
 country. We know that with the hard maple (sugar 
 tree), that the sugary saps cause incipient decay to 
 proceed rapidly from the moment the tree is cut and 
 the same may be true of the beech. 
 
 Creosote, where full impregnation can be had, has 
 almost invariably proved effective in prolonging life 
 of the timber and in certain lines has been resorted 
 to where prolonged life was very essential, notwith- 
 standing the excessive cost. 
 
 Two new processes are being experimented upon 
 recently to impregnate using less of the oil so as to 
 bring the cost down to the line of economy. 
 
 The "Rueping" process does this by simple pres- 
 sure, the timber to be well dried before treating. The 
 "Giussani" process reaches much the same result by 
 boiling in oil and suddenly cooling the timber by 
 plunging into a cold oil or solution, trusting to natural 
 laws to complete the impregnation. By either of 
 these an impregnation to the amount of 4 to 5 Ibs. of 
 oil is forced in. 
 
 This of course will cheapen the treatment but only 
 the lapse of considerable time will demonstrate the 
 degree of success. 
 
 Whether it is wise to go largely into experiments 
 of this kind is for each party interested to say for 
 themselves. 
 
 The records of the chloride treatments has been 
 scanned carefully in the last few years and thus far 
 we have little reason to believe that we in this coun- 
 try are behind the old country either in method or in 
 results. 
 
 The " Rutger" or zinc-creosote process seeks the 
 same result with a small additional cost, that of the 
 three to five pounds of the creosote oil. (Editor.) 
 
 Chicago, Oct. 12th, 1905. 
 
 240 
 

 CREOSOTE. 
 
 With reference to where and how creosote oil or 
 dead oil of coal tar is produced, the following extract 
 is taken from a report made to the 7th Engineering 
 Congress held in Paris in 1900, by Mr. Hausser, Chief 
 Engineer Permanent Way, of the French Sidi Rail- 
 way, to-wit: 
 
 "In the case of Creosote, the specifications vary to 
 a greater extent (than with the chloride or the cupric 
 sulphate) as the substance itself varies, according to 
 its origin. 
 
 Most organic substances, if ignited in the absence 
 of air, give volatile hydrocarbons (acetylene, ethylene, 
 etc.), benzine, etc., and finally liquid and solid hydro- 
 carbons (naphthaline, anthracene, etc.) 
 
 When ordinary coal is distilled, the volatile hydro- 
 carbons form coal gas, and the liquid and solid hydro- 
 carbons go to the tar. 
 
 The tar on distillation gives hydrocarbons and the 
 bodies containing oxygen. In the distillation two 
 phases are to be distinguished. 
 
 At first, below 200 deg. C. (392 Fahr.), light oils dis- 
 till over, they consist chiefly of hydrocarbons and of 
 phenols. 
 
 Subsequently, between 200 and 300 C. (392 and 572 
 Fahr.), heavy oils come over; they contain phenols 
 and are also rich in naphthaline (c 10 H. 8). 
 
 Phenols differ from naphthaline in containing oxy- 
 gen. Generally speaking the .phenols may be con- 
 sidered as alcohols capable of forming ethers with 
 acids; but with sodium or potassium they form a car- 
 bolate. 
 
 It is true that the latter are not very stable, but this 
 reaction shows that the phenols resemble acids. 
 Hence phenol is sometimes called carbolic acid (C. 
 6 H. 5 OH) 
 
 Hence creosote is a mixture of light and heavy tar 
 oils and in order that it may act as a preservative of 
 timber it should consist chiefly of heavy oils. 
 
 What the relative value of phenols and its homo- 
 logues and naphthaline are as preservative agents 
 
 241 
 
does not appear from the varying rules made by the 
 different managements. 
 
 The Danish State Railway specifies that from 20 to 
 25 per cent of the creosote must be soluble in costic 
 soda and that there must be as little naphthaline as 
 possible present. On the other hand the French 
 Western Railway thinks that a good creosote should 
 be rich in naphthaline and often increases its per- 
 centage by adding heavy oil. 
 
 Creosote containing much naphthaline has the dis- 
 advantage that is more viscous and requires to be 
 hotter in order to be properly injected into the wood. 
 Then also naphthaline has a pretty considerable 
 vapor tension even at ordinary temperature and 
 therefore volatilises easily; hence it may be feared 
 that it would disappear pretty quickly from any 
 pickled wood. 
 
 The usefulness of phenol has never been disputed, 
 and nearly all the specifications lay down a minimum 
 percentage of phenol; in no case less than 5 per 
 cent. 
 
 In many cases the managements specify the qual- 
 ity of creosote by laying down the percentages pass- 
 ing over when fractionally distilled (at 150, 200 and 
 250 deg. C. (302, 392, and 482 Fahr.) 
 
 This is a useful rule, but an indefinite one, as the 
 results obtained vary with the nature of the coal used 
 and the way which it has been treated. 
 
 The two principal sources of coal tar are in the 
 manufacture of coal* gas and in that of coke for met- 
 alurgical purposes. The tar at the gas works is pro- 
 duced at a high temperature, the coal being subject 
 to quick destructive distillation; it generally contains 
 much naphthaline and heavy product. 
 
 The tar in coke-burning operations is obtained at 
 lower temperature and the distillation is a much 
 slower one ; it contains less naphthaline and more 
 carbolic acid." 
 
 ANALYSIS OF DEAD OIL OF COAL TAR. 
 
 At date of writing (1905), there seems to be much 
 diversity of opinion as to the method of determining 
 
 242 
 
the value of this oil largely in consequence of the di- 
 versity of the coals used from which it results as a 
 residue or by-product, and also but little satisfying 
 knowledge as to what of its various constituents is 
 due its value as a preservative. It would seem that 
 some method of separating the various constituents 
 of the oil in such quantities as would allow the appli- 
 cation of each in varied quantities and to different 
 samples of timber and then exposing the samples to 
 the attack of the teredo or to the white ant, both very 
 destructive to the timber, would be of much value in 
 the desired direction. Exposure to the elements as 
 in railroad cross ties or bridge timber requires too 
 long time to recommend itself but would be valuable 
 in the course of years. 
 
 Whether it is practicable to separate the constitu- 
 ents of the oil by distillation or by some more com- 
 plicated chemical process is a question that is sug- 
 gested to be answered by experts. 
 
 At this time such knowledge is of the first import- 
 ance and it would seem necessary that it should be 
 determined before much progress can be made in the 
 application of this oil to timber preservation under- 
 standingly. If it should be proven that some of the 
 constituents are of no value as a preservative ane 
 still should be of value for other purposes, therd 
 would be a distinct gain from a knowledge of this 
 fact. (The Author.) 
 
TIMBER TREATING AND TESTING 
 LABORATORY. 
 
 The establishment of a testing laboratory for the 
 investigation of principles involved in the practical 
 treating of timber by the Bureau of Forestry will 
 meet another line of inquiry heretofore but imper- 
 fectly provided for. 
 
 Even among those most experienced in the matter 
 it often occurs that differences arise in the interpre- 
 tation of the nature of the physical agencies involved. 
 It is important that each and every one of these 
 should be carefully and systematically studied and 
 that authorative conclusions be arrived at, the same 
 as is done in other lines of inquiry. In addition to 
 this, all agents for the chemical treatment of timber, 
 both known and such as may hereafter be suggested 
 from time to time should be treated in the same 
 manner, carefully and exhaustively. 
 
 To enable this to be done, provisions should be 
 made to cover every possible phase by the most per- 
 fect appliances and machinery with the widest scope 
 of functions for experimental treating and for the 
 study and analysis of the agents used. 
 
 The preservation of timber is one of the most im- 
 portant measures toward the conservation of the 
 forests of this country as it applies directly to one of 
 the heaviest drafts on the timber supply, that of 
 cross-ties and bridge timber for railroads. Treated 
 as here proposed, it certainly is a proper line of in- 
 vestigation by the department and must result in 
 great benefit to all concerned and to the country, at 
 large. Heretofore, in applying to chemists for aid in 
 the study of the chemical agents, the lack of a 
 thorough understanding of the methods of application, 
 has been a distinct embarrassment. The treatment 
 and study of the chemical agents should go together, 
 the most intimate relations being maintained between 
 the operator and the chemist so that each shall co- 
 operate having a thorough understanding of both 
 parts of the investigation. 
 
 244 
 
The practical operator of the day, may be able to 
 carry out the various functions accurately and with 
 skill while he may know little of the nature of the 
 chemicals; on the other hand the chemist cannot fully 
 comprehend the relation of the chemical agent to the 
 practical handling of the appliances during the pro- 
 cess unless he understands the practical workings. 
 
 When, as here proposed, the two lines of inquiry 
 are carried forward jointly, the result should be defi- 
 nitely valuable if followed by a systematic study of 
 the result on the timber by subjecting it to the action 
 of the elements, both in use on some convenient 
 track under heavy traffic and under such forced tests 
 as are practicable at the laboratory. 
 
 Intimately connected with this investigation is the 
 matter of record of state of the treated timber from 
 time to time during coming years, in which the pro- 
 gress of decay is noted. 
 
 It would be of sufficient importance, too, in this con- 
 nection to have untreated timber laid at the same 
 time, as thus one important element in the inquiry 
 would be determined, that of relative life by which 
 the value of any treatment can be determined. 
 There is little definite knowledge as to this at this 
 time, authorities differing widely. 
 
 Chicago, Oct. 24th, 1905. (R.) 
 
 Some orignal studies relating to laboratory plant 
 are here introduced so as to preserve this record. 
 
 245 
 
RETORT No. 2 STUDY. 
 246 
 
B 
 tf 
 
 H 
 
 I 
 
 
RETORT No. 1 STUDY. 
 249 
 
DOOR RETORT No. 1. 
 250 
 
STUDY OF CAR FOR RETORT No. 2. 
 
 251 
 
I 
 
 I H 
 
 
 
 * -1 
 
 
 
 u 
 
 
 
 
 H 
 
 
 
 
 FOSTER SUPERSTRUCTURE. 
 
 252 
 
CIRCULATOR FOR THERMOMETER, TO SECURE 
 AVERAGE TEMPERATURE. 
 
 253 
 
BETOKT Ko. 3. 
 
SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE TREATMENT 
 OF TIMBER 
 
 On page 215 ante the author has called attention 
 to the fact that owing to the wide range in the 
 character of the timber desired to be treated, no 
 special rule as to the quantity to be injected can 
 be fixed upon. The common practice has been to 
 fix the amount per tie or cubic foot of timber, where 
 contracts are being made between a railroad com- 
 pany and a private company who contract to treat 
 the ties. 
 
 The implication follows that when the contractor 
 has put this much in, he has satisfied the specifica- 
 tion. With the zinc-chloride it will be seen that 
 a wide open door is left by which merely by rais- 
 ing the strength of the solution, the specified amount 
 of the chemical can be secured while but a small 
 part of the tie is impregnated. This also applies 
 where creosote oil is used in connection with the 
 chloride of zinc. 
 
 We have always kept it before our readers that 
 'THE MATTER OF FIRST IMPORTANCE IS 
 TO SECURE THOROUGH IMPREGNATION" 
 the matter of quantity being of secondary import- 
 ance. 
 
 In making contracts, this should be considered and 
 guarded first of all both in the specifications and by 
 rigid inspection by a competent inspector ^ thoroughly 
 competent and experienced and well paid; because 
 such experience cannot be acquired except at the 
 expense of much time and money on his part. This 
 he can well afford as by attaining such skill as he 
 should have, his value will be doubled. Thus it 
 will be up to the contractor to do his work Bright, 
 and not to be able to fall back upon a provision of 
 the specifications that are faulty, as ^ above shown. 
 
 It is a common practice when quantity is specified, 
 to stop the process when the requirement is met, 
 
 255 
 
and before the receptivity of the charge is ex- 
 hausted, and the impregnation incomplete. This is 
 radically wrong and shows such a specification to be 
 faulty. 
 
 PILING AND SEASONING BEFORE TREAT- 
 ING, AND DRYING AFTER TREAT- 
 ING OF TIES. 
 
 Much has been written in relation to this matter 
 largely based upon theory. 
 
 First ; it is urged that the timber cannot be impreg- 
 nated without seasoning, and then again that they 
 cannot be put into track until dried again. Then 
 again, it is claimed by the same authority that the 
 ties should not be dried too quickly as the timber 
 would check in consequence. What are we to be- 
 lieve ? 
 
 Query. Does not the checking take place ^ largely 
 during the air seasoning and not after treating and 
 should not this be attended to before treating? 
 
 It is not proposed to enter into a controversy on 
 these points but to say that by following these theor- 
 ies, large expense is incurred to no purpose. 
 
 With regard to this as well as many other ques- 
 tions, it is well to leave them to the manager of the 
 works with freedom of judgment as the best guide, 
 only specifying that the report as to conditions and 
 reasons shall be truly reported. 
 
 If ties cannot be well dried as is often the case, 
 they should be treated so as it ca>n be known that 
 they are well impregnated. The amount of creosote 
 must be a matter as to what the timber will take 
 after being properly prepared for impregnation, and 
 if the ties will dry out quickly as they will, this too 
 should be left to the judgment^ of the manager. 
 There is no reason why treated ties will dry out as 
 they often will, before they can be laid> should be 
 carefully piled in the yard and again reloaded. All 
 these matters are largely a matter of judgment with 
 the operators, experience furnishirvg the guide, 
 
 HI 
 
A treating Plant for any process may be designed 
 and operated successfully, but it must conform to 
 the following: 
 
 FUNDAMENTALS TO BE CONSIDERED IN 
 PLANS 
 
 First. That the works should be proportioned 
 throughout to secure the desired output. 
 
 2nd. That each part should be proportioned to do 
 the desired work, still each proportioned to all the 
 other parts so that there be no useless or surplus 
 capacity or useless cost. 
 
 3rd. That each part perform its function in the 
 most direct and in the simplest manner. 
 
 4th. That every part be of the best manufacture 
 and the most reliable for lasting service so that re- 
 pairs shall be infrequent, saving loss of tfme and 
 expensive maintenance. 
 
 5th. That the working parts be so arranged as 
 to be promptly operated with the least manual labor. 
 
 6th. That plans of all the essential parts be fully 
 planned and prepared so that there be no extra 
 labor or delay during erection. 
 
 7th. That the arrangement of the works be such 
 that accurate measurements and weights shall be 
 provided for so that it shall be possible to know 
 what is being done, at any or all times. 
 
 8th. That the operator of the works shall be 
 thoroughly competent, experienced, thoroughly hon- 
 est and faithful, so as to be a safeguard between 
 the two parties concerned. 
 
 In the practical part of the operation of timber im- 
 pregnation entire good faith between the railroad 
 Company and those who contract to treat their tim- 
 ber, is in all respects the best. If the specifications 
 are right and the works properly arranged, the com- 
 mercial instinct should cut no figure, as the work can 
 be rushed to full capacity of the works without detri- 
 ment or prejudice to either party. 
 
 The records of past treatment have been lowered by 
 
"rush work" undoubtedly, whereas first class work 
 would have been done at no additional cost. 
 
 Thorough and competent inspection is the only 
 safeguard and will redound to the advantage of both 
 parties. 
 
 It has been the principle of the author to hold to 
 straight, honest work based upon correct principles 
 a#d hereafter as heretofore to strike at every depar- 
 ture towards slack work or erroneous notions and this 
 will be done without fear or favor. 
 
 COST OF A TIMBER PRESERVING PLANT 
 
 We are able here to give a fair approximate cost 
 derived from past experience by accumulating the 
 aggregate of cost of the various contracts with the 
 manufacturers, the three retort being most often 
 called for, at the same time the most economically 
 operated and is here tabulated for the several pro- 
 cesses, the figures given being deemed a safe net 
 cost covering a possible advance in prices of metal 
 and machinery, etc. 
 
 The first item in the table is net cash cost, the 
 second, a conservative estimate of capacity to treat 
 average railroad cross-ties of ^ three cubic feet each, 
 and the third item, the weight of machinery on 
 which to compute cost of freight. 
 
 Process 
 
 Burnett 
 
 2inc- 
 Tannin 
 
 Zinc- 
 Creosote * 
 
 Ruepiog* 
 
 Creosot** 
 
 2 Retort Wks 
 
 $54,600.00 
 
 $56,600.00 
 
 $56.600.00 
 
 $64,250.00 
 
 $53.400.00 
 
 Capacity 
 Vt. Mach.,etc,. 
 
 4,200 
 707,800 Ibs. 
 
 3,000 
 749,600 Ibs. 
 
 4,200 
 749,600 Ibs 
 
 5,000 
 785,200 Ibs. 
 
 4,200 
 707.800 Ibs. 
 
 This should cover a complete plant with the best 
 and most suitable wooden buildings, concrete foun- 
 dations and everything ready to operate, not in- 
 cluding lands or the standard railroad tracks in 
 yard. 
 
 Any excess in cost we would deem due to un- 
 skillful designs or miscalculations. 
 
 *Note. When creosote oil is used there should be 
 added for storage of stock of oil: first, a tank well 
 
proportioned for accurate tank measurement and for 
 special heating appliances called usually the "work- 
 ing tank" which must be of steel and of such ca- 
 pacity as to keep on hand hot oil sufficient for the 
 operation of the plant. 
 
 Secondly, a steel tank of sufficient capacity to 
 store three months' stock of creosote oil. The cost 
 of this stone tank, estimated at about $3,500, should 
 be added to them marked with star. (*) 
 
 CAST STEEL HIGH PRESSURE RETORT DOOR AND FLANGE. 
 
 (ROWE & ROWE.) 
 
 261 
 
LtAO LINED SOLUTI 
 
 LEAD LINING FOR WOODEN TANK. 
 (ROWE.) 
 
CHEMICAL TREATMENT OF TIMBER 
 
 [Engineering News] 
 
 The stress now bearing on the railroads of this 
 country, owing to the increasing difficulty in procur- 
 ing wooden cross-ties and their rapidly increasing 
 cost, has forced attention to the necessity of method 
 of prolonging life and to broadening the field of sup- 
 ply. 
 
 The question of still further broadening the field 
 by resorting to metal has been suggested, but it is 
 to be apprehended that the greater cost of metal and 
 the superiority of the wood will bar this for a long 
 time yet. 
 
 While the chemical treatment of the wood has been 
 resorted to in this country for a comparatively short 
 time and only in isolated cases, enough has been 
 learned to demonstrate its value and to prove its 
 economy and its adaptability to a great number of 
 timbers not heretofore suitable or valuable for this 
 purpose; thus very much broadening the field of 
 available supply. 
 
 Many tentative efforts in this direction have been 
 made in this country during the last half century by 
 various processes and by various agencies, but owing 
 to the less amount called for and the abundance of 
 timber of the best quality, of tie timber there was 
 but little advance made. 
 
 Now that the railroads are, using a slang but very 
 expressive term, "Up against it," attention and inter- 
 est compels action and no one subject connected with 
 railway maintenance is being more generally dis- 
 cussed. Not only discussed but action is being taken, 
 and a strong desire evinced to take the best means 
 to make the action effective. 
 
 Up to this time, two agents have been employed, 
 that of Chloride of Zinc and Oil of Coal tar (Creo- 
 sote), the latter the most effective but the former 
 most economical. 
 
 Results so far in this country show that by the 
 Zinc-Chloride treatment the life of the soft woods 
 
 263 
 
is more than doubled, meaning a mean life of from 
 eight to twelve years for pine that usually lasts from 
 two to five years. It must be understood that this 
 is the mean life, the actual life being from five to 
 over twenty years for the treated pine ties against 
 two to seven years for the untreated ties. 
 
 The treatment with creosote gives perhaps twenty- 
 five to fifty per cent, more life than with the chlo- 
 ride treatment, but at from three to four times the 
 cost with the same timber in both cases with the 
 further difficulty that many of the timbers that it 
 may be desired to treat, cannot be penetrated except 
 superficially. 
 
 We propose here to notice the various methods 
 resorted to, and proposed to be resorted to in the im- 
 pregnation of the timber: 
 
 First: The Chloride of Zinc. 
 
 Second: The Zinc-Tannin. 
 
 Third : The Creosote or dead oil. 
 
 These comprise all that have been tried in this 
 country of which we are able to offer extended 
 records that are authentic enough to be gainsaid: 
 the first, that of the Southern Pacific Railroad with 
 a mean of eight and a half to nine years for Burnett- 
 ized pine ties and in the second case near twelve 
 years for pine ties on the Atchison. Of ties treated 
 in 1885 and removed in 1905, twenty years in track, 
 4,600 are near four per cent., and there are doubtless 
 still some of the 1885 ties still in track in spite of 
 mechanical wear and notwithstanding that a large 
 part of the line on which these 1885 ties were laid 
 has been ballasted with crushed limestone ballast 
 by which some were prematurely removed. 
 
 Of course efforts are being made to discredit this 
 agent by those whose disinterestedness is open to sus- 
 picion, and the statement is being made that the 
 chloride treatment has been abandoned in the old 
 countries, for what reasons? and that creosote 
 alone is effective. We will surmise that there may 
 be another reason for its abandonment, that of the 
 cheapness of creosote oil which but a few years ago 
 
 2C4 
 
was almost unsaleable, there being but a limited de- 
 mand for it. This is a surmise by no means discred- 
 iting the chloride process, and a condition no longer 
 possible under present conditions and so valuable 
 an agent as the creosote can never be much cheaper 
 than now. 
 
 Unless the price of creosote oil can be held below 
 present prices its use cannot be economical for rail- 
 road ties where ten to fifteen pounds to the cubic 
 foot is required, and even twice this is sometimes 
 absorbed by the softer pines. In case where piles 
 are treated especially used in salt water to protect 
 against the Teredo, the largest amount is justified 
 both for effectiveness and on account of the limited 
 quantity of timber used. 
 
 There is no question but that the creosote oil is 
 a valuable agent for the purpose. My attention was 
 called recently to a case where Southern short leaf 
 pine ties were treated with creosote in 1880-82; near 
 seven per cent, were still in service at twenty-four 
 years. In 1885 Zinc- Tannin treated ties, four per cent, 
 were still in at near twenty years, a parallel which 
 seems to be about the relative value of these agents. 
 It would be well to remember that these soft wood 
 ties are likely to fail under rail and spike wear at 
 less than twelve years. 
 
 The combination of these two agents is a newer 
 field that is well worthy of exploration, holdjng in 
 mind however, that sound business policy which we 
 expect from railroad managers, will require results 
 before employing such an amount of capital for a 
 plant commensurate with the great quantity of tim- 
 ber to be treated as well as the cost of operation 
 and chemicals, without some assurance of the desired 
 result when they have done so. It would hardly 
 be safe to assume that the reduced amount of oil 
 proposed (four to six pounds per cubic foot) could 
 be relied upon as effective until demonstrated by 
 time and test. 
 
 Two of these methods are the Rutger Zinc-Creo- 
 sote and the Ginssanni in which both creosote and 
 
 285 
 
 
chloride of zinc are intended to be combined; the 
 former is an emulsion; in the latter by first boiling 
 the timber in hot oil and then plunging it into a 
 vat of cold chloride of zinc solution. The Ginssanni 
 process would seem to be a fair treatment for rail- 
 road ties if the absorption of the chloride is com- 
 plete, but seems to be only effective as to penetration 
 in very soft open wood. Were the penetration of 
 the chloride complete even if the oil penetration was 
 only partial, between the two it should be a very 
 fair treatment for the soft timbers. 
 
 The Rutger or zinc-creosote process has been 
 under trial for many years and as the oil penetration 
 even in the red oak seems to be quite complete and 
 that of the chloride quite as complete as in the 
 Burnett and the Zinc-Tannin, there is no reason why 
 it should rank with them with a strong probability 
 of even better results. I have not the records at hand 
 to show what the average life of these treated ties 
 is. Mr. Octave Chanute estimates mean life above 
 that of the Zinc-Tannin. 
 
 The Rueping process is also a process seeking com- 
 plete penetration by a partial dose of oil. It is based 
 upon the principle that the only way that complete 
 penetration can be secured is by means of a strong 
 compression of the air in the wood (usually 35 to 40 
 per cent, of the volume of the tie), applying 60 to 
 80 pounds of air pressure on the charge and then 
 while holding this pressure forcing in the oil by us- 
 ing twice this pressure on the charge until the wood 
 is impregnated, thus releasing the pressure and al- 
 lowing the compressed air to force out a portion of 
 the oil. The result is when six pounds of oil per 
 cubic foot is introduced, or rather forced in, about 
 two ^pounds will be returned, four pounds re- 
 maining in the wood. My observation shows that 
 the softer and open grained woods are well impreg- 
 nated but that some of the more compact woods 
 cannot be well impregnated, when it is practicable to 
 permeate the same woods with chloride of zinc as 
 in the Burnett or Zinc-Tannin, Zinc Creosote, etc. 
 
 266 
 
The means taken in the Rueping process to extract 
 a portion of the oil are the best and most effective 
 known, but the doubt still remains as to the utility 
 of using a limited dose of oil. When we have a 
 few years' time to observe results we shall be better 
 able to judge, but it would seem worth while to try 
 it by those that have the means and are willing to 
 incur the expense. The probability seems to be that 
 the results should be equally good with the chlorides. 
 
 The use of a vacuum for the extraction of oil once 
 forced into the wood will not do it beyond the amount 
 that will paint a dry tie, say one pound per cubic 
 foot, we judge as with the aid of the hardly com- 
 pressed air as applied by the Rueping operation will 
 only bring out 30 per cent, of the six pounds intro- 
 duced. A larger amount can be forced in if a higher 
 pressure is applied and the compression of the air in 
 the wood be omitted, but it will be done to the seri- 
 ous injury of the wood fiber by forcing in more than 
 the natural voids of the wood will hold. Immedi- 
 ately on removal of the high pressure the oil will 
 commence to reject this surplus and will continue to 
 do so until the timber returns to its normal condition, 
 the surplus oil meantime going to waste. The true 
 policy in timber impregnation is to induce rather 
 than force permeation. This is believed to be largely 
 due to the steaming. 
 
 The methods used for securing impregnation of 
 the timber by inducing the absorption with a moder- 
 ate amount of heat and such degree of pressure upon 
 the solution or oil has been quite generally followed 
 for many years, in the Burnett, the Zinc-Tannin 
 and in Creosoting. It consists of: 
 
 First, steaming ; second, application of the vacuum ; 
 third, the introduction of the solution or oil. That 
 this has been the best and most effective seems to 
 be quite apparent. It must be remembered that this 
 program was established and practiced for the last 
 forty years and its correctness has not been seriously 
 questioned until recently. And furthermore, those 
 disputing its propriety or correctness as meeting the 
 
 267 
 
physical laws and conditions seem to be questioned 
 either by new students of the matter without suffi- 
 cient experience to grasp the matter in all its bear- 
 ings, or by parties with some new patent or device 
 and with self interest as the main impelling motive. 
 
 The application of steam to the timber is claimed 
 to be both unnecessary and injurious, especially under 
 high pressure. In the above cases experience shows 
 that above about twenty pounds per square inch is 
 injurious, hence this was made the rule. It is, and 
 has long been known that the fiber can be destroyed 
 by steam as the fact is known that under very high 
 pressure steam pipes will show a red heat. 
 
 It has been claimed and loudly proclaimed that 
 twenty pounds steam pressure will reduce the 
 strength of steamed timber 25 per cent. More recent 
 careful tests by a well known and capable chemist 
 seem to indicate that the injury is nothing like this 
 and proves so small that it may be safely ignored. 
 Farther investigation may show the entire fallacy of 
 this too hasty conclusion. 
 
 But no matter. We know that the steaming per- 
 forms a very essential part of the process, fitting the 
 wood for absorption of the chemicals, heating and 
 dissolving the juices, and filling its place with ex- 
 panded vapors by which the air is largely exhausted 
 by the aid of the vacuum following. No other agent 
 can be used to bring this condition about so effec- 
 tually. Not only this, but the fiber of the timber 
 is softened for the time and eventually toughened 
 much as if the timber had been air-dried for a long 
 time. Subsequent examination of the timber of rail- 
 road cross-ties shows that the spike drives with less 
 injtrry to the wood, holds better and that rail wear is 
 very much reduced. This is believed to be largely 
 due to this steaming. 
 
 Then, again, while much has been said about the 
 necessity of air-drying ties for several months before 
 allowing the timber to be treated, which is conceded 
 as desirable in some cases, in others* impracticable 
 as with the loblolly of the south in which case as 
 
well as with ties from the mountains of the Repub- 
 lic of Mexico, rot so as to be useless in two years 
 if not treated, as decay will commence in a week and 
 progress far before they can possibly be air-dried. 
 
 Any one well versed in the matter knows that 
 under ordinary conditions where a large plant is in 
 operation that it is impracticable to thoroughly air- 
 dry all the ties before treating. Some ties dry in a 
 comparatively short time, while others require much 
 more time. It is hardly worth while to argue the 
 matter farther as we know that the bulk of ties 
 treated to-day are not all dry and that the enforce- 
 ment of such a rule is impracticable. 
 
 Then again, there are many timbers that are more 
 easily impregnated when freshly cut than dried, 
 such as the pines and fir of the Northwest as well 
 as those of the Pacific Slope. 
 
 Then again, there are timbers that can be impreg- 
 nated by steaming and the use of the Chloride of 
 Zinc with the greatest difficulty and with creosote, 
 not at all. Conceding this view, then it follows that 
 not only can green fresh cut ties be impregnated but 
 any mixed lot can be brought to a uniform condition 
 by steaming. 
 
 There can be a gallon of dissolved timber juices 
 per cubic foot of timber, or in other words something 
 like twenty pounds taken from the tie. This is sup- 
 posed to be solid matter dissolved and drawn out 
 by the steaming, and we have a right to suppose that 
 it consists of germ food, largely. 
 
 The rule of allowable pressure of one hundred 
 pounds per square inch while in solution or oil has 
 also been criticised and the assertion has been very 
 emphatically made, that higher pressure will not in- 
 jure the timber fiber even up to 600 pounds per square 
 mch. We know that 200 pounds will come near 
 opening up a piece of oak and will cheek an ordinary 
 railroad tie and admit more solution than wilt fill 
 every void twice over. While this would not mater- 
 injure the strength of fiber it wiii< earae easy 
 
 2m 
 
parting of the wood and admission of water later 
 to the more rapid decay. 
 
 Those who are using the Zinc-Chloride have been 
 somewhat concerned by the claim made that the 
 Chloride of Zinc leaches out of the timber rapidly. 
 An effort has been made to do this by long continued 
 and oft repeated series of immersions in water, 
 drying and analyzing, shows that a small, regularly 
 decreasing amount does waste out but after near 
 eighteen months only 28 per cent, of that absorbed 
 originally, was extracted. 
 
 The writer has worked for many years in the in- 
 terest of honest and effective work in relation to this 
 subject, giving to every phase of the conditions to 
 be met and to the solution of every phase and condi- 
 tion and to every principle involved. Long and pa- 
 tient experiments have been made in relation to every 
 point involving every one of those embodied in this 
 article and it is believed that while their correctness 
 in many cases is denied and by others criticized as 
 incorrect, yet it is believed that they will be sus- 
 tained eventually. The Forestry Service has been 
 organizing a force to systematically investigate the 
 whole matter with a view to settling authoritatively 
 many or all the disputed points and to this we will 
 look forward with much confidence. In advance of 
 such however, we are willing to stand by what we 
 have written even though overridden by a flood of 
 objections. 
 
 From present knowledge we will not believe that 
 a better knowledge of the matter exists in any for- 
 eign country, even Germany, as knowledge has never 
 come freely from that source in particular. 
 
 Goethe, the great poet, over 100 years ago exclaimed 
 with impatience, "The Germans have the art of mak- 
 ing science inaccessible," and Baron von Humboldt 
 supplements this by explaining that "An edifice can- 
 not produce a striking effect until the scaffolding is 
 removed." 
 
 If in fact men of high abilities have built up the 
 industry under consideration, what was true 100 
 
 270 
 
years ago is yet measurably true to-day, and those 
 essential principles and methods involved in the art, 
 and art it is, have been very careful to obscure their 
 knowledge, and are not in condition to-day to prove 
 their pre-eminence in knowledge or in priority of 
 discovery. What we have been favored with has 
 been through our scholarly Octave Chanute, C. E., 
 and we doubt whether any more thorough knowledge 
 and experience has been attained in Germany than 
 here. 
 
 A revived candidate for favor that is being pro- 
 moted is that of Vulcanizing, or in other words, 
 roasting the wood. Whether sufficient heat can be 
 employed without burning the timber seems doubtful. 
 It seems probably that the same result, to wit, thor- 
 oughly seasoning, can better be secured by judicious 
 steaming which is about the only method that will 
 guard against burning the fiber In kiln drying 
 lumber resort is being had in moist air; (Or in other 
 words, steaming under light pressure) instead of 
 using dry hot air. 
 
 More light is needed before we can judge as to the 
 value of the Vulcanized process. 
 
 Chicago, Dec. 7, 1906. 
 
 THEORY OF STEAMING TIMBER 
 
 CHICAGO, April 30, 1905. 
 Mr. A. A. Robinson, President, Mexican Central R. 
 
 R. Co., Mexico City, Mex. 
 DEAR SIR AND FRIEND: 
 
 Introductory to the subject of your letter, I think 
 it well to refer back to the time over twenty years 
 ago, when all the information I was able to acquire 
 was mainly from the patentees who then owned the 
 "Wellhouse Process" as to the whole method of the 
 operation and the philosophy and physics; and when 
 the whole responsibility for the proper operation was 
 placed upon myself, I considered it my duty to do 
 as I have done in every case in my many years of 
 active duty on questions of railroad engineering and 
 
 271 
 
constructions, to go to the bottom of it if possible. 
 In this case I was able to enlist my son who succeeded 
 me the following year. This study formed the basis 
 of the journal then commenced as a necessity to the 
 direction of the operator of the plant. To this has 
 been added the information derived since by years 
 of labor and thousands of dollars of expense and 
 which I send you under separate cover, as 1906 Edi- 
 tion of "Preservation of Timber." Undoubtedly, 
 there are many errors, of some of which I am well 
 aware, which should come out in a revision. This 
 I can find neither time nor means to do at present. 
 You will see that almost every essential element and 
 physical principle involved in the operation of im- 
 pregnating timber under the Burnett, The Wellhouse 
 and almost all other processes, have been investigated 
 with great care and I believe that my conclusions 
 will be found correct and that they will benefit the 
 honest student. 
 
 Since I have fallen back on the planning and in- 
 stalling works for a living and have erected some 
 very good plants, most of which are in efficient and 
 effective operation, the tendency of humanity to ex- 
 periment has led to questioning some of the rules 
 laid down originally by which good results have been 
 attained, among which is the one in hand. I think 
 however, that the preponderance of evidence is still 
 in favor of the correctness of those laid down includ- 
 ing the steam seasoning. 
 
 A man goes to Germany about three years ago 
 and talks with the timber treaters there, returns and 
 immediately enters the field as an expert in the busi- 
 ness and also immediately concludes that the chloride 
 of zinc treatment was a failure in this country. 
 
 One of the hardest things to understand is that 
 he, through governmental backing, impliedly, if not 
 actually succeeded in holding up the whole business 
 in this country in a measure, and not only this, to 
 throw discredit, both on the many workers and upon 
 results obtained. Not only this, but the schemes of 
 various promoters have been taken up, and exploited 
 
 272 
 
some nonsensical and some that when properly prov- 
 en by time, may be of value, but that any one with 
 so short an experience should set himself up as an 
 authority is almost incredible and shows but little 
 conception of the broadness of the whole question. 
 
 By a series of experiments he proves that steaming 
 weakens the timber. This was known many years 
 ago, as was the fact that excessive heat applied by 
 steam or by any other means would burn up the 
 timber. Witness the effect often seen in creosoted 
 timber where super-heated steam had been used. 
 
 Therefore, the conclusion by implication is that 
 Creosote and Creosote alone is to be the successful 
 agent. 
 
 It is well to mention in this connection, that he has 
 lost sight of the fact that many of the timbers that 
 should be treated cannot be impregnated without 
 steaming, and again, that some timbers like the 
 loblolly and the old field pine cannot be dried for 
 any considerable time without going far toward de- 
 cay. 
 
 Then again the universal use of dead oil is im- 
 possible first, because but a minor portion of the 
 timbers that should be treated, can be impregnated 
 by any known practicable means, and again, it has 
 long been known that creosoting is too expensive 
 except for special cases where specially long life is 
 sought. 
 
 Now let us see that all is thus ruthlessly brushed 
 aside. In 1885, you ordered the Las Vegas works 
 erected to use the chloride of zinc, or rather the 
 Wellhouse or Zinc-Tannin process in the impregna- 
 tion of the Rocky Mountain Pine ties. At that time 
 you gave me a sample of a cross tie treated for the 
 most perishable timber which had seen seventeen 
 years' service in track, yet perfectly sound which in 
 itself was a fair assurance for the future and an 
 apparent justification for an appropriation for works 
 and the necessary stock of chemicals, etc., yet a large 
 sum for those days. 
 
 Now, as to the results to-day. 
 
 273 
 
The mean life of the untreated ties (pine) 1880 
 to 1886, five years, was computed to be four and a 
 half years as in 1886, over three quarters of the ties 
 laid in 1880 were taken out rotten so completely as 
 to be entirely worthless for fuel. The next point to 
 note is that the treated ties were found to remain 
 entirely sound until the sixth year with a very small 
 percentage on the sixth year principally from break- 
 age and mechanical wear. 
 
 Then again, assuming that removals do not com- 
 mence until the sixth year as is also true as to hem- 
 lock ties treated by the same process by the Chicago 
 Tie works, we take all the ties laid and removed 
 from track from 1886 to 1900 previous to 1905, some 
 4,560,000 or about 28 per cent, of the total treated 
 and laid, including failure from all causes at an 
 average of life of ten and two-thirds years.* 
 
 The Santa Fe record is not as complete as we 
 could desire, but its trend is unmistakable, showing 
 that we get a mean life of nearly twelve years as 
 against four and a half years for the same kind, of 
 ties untreated. 
 
 From time to time, appeals have been made to 
 me as to the admissibility of the omission of the 
 steaming. I can only point to the above record, 
 as beyond this, I DO NOT KNOW. In my ex- 
 perience I see much to lead me to believe that loss 
 will be incurred by its omission, or in fact, any 
 omission from the original Wellhouse program. 
 
 Quoting from your letter : "From the very nature 
 of the case, it seems to me that the idea that the 
 ties must be seasoned is fallacious for the reason 
 that the chief point in securing good treatment is to 
 draw from the timber the juices, saps and acids con- 
 tained in the wood, and it seems to me this can be 
 more readily done before they are dried out and 
 while they are in their liquid state." 
 
 *Note. I have removals just reported by Mr. 
 Faulkner for 1905 showing that 4,600 of the 111,000 
 ties treated in 1885 were taken out in the twentieth 
 year of service. 
 
 274 
 
Confirming your views above quoted it is a fact 
 that the timbers in the west slope of the continent 
 are best treated direct from the mill and these tim- 
 bers cannot be penetrated without steaming. My ex- 
 perience at Kalispell, Mont., confirms what Mr. W. 
 G. Curtis and Mr. ^ Isaacs of the Southern Pacific R. 
 R. Co. have long insisted. 
 
 Another omission, should be mentioned, that of the 
 glue and tannin. 
 
 It was early complained that nobody could find 
 the leatheroid. The trouble was that they looked in 
 the wrong place. In Wellhouse treated ties in Texas 
 it was early observed that with the loblolly (the most 
 perishable timber) in ties where the corrugated 
 tie plate rested, that the surface of the tie was cut 
 into, presumably breaking the protected tie so that 
 the timber rotted away in the form of an inverted 
 bowl leaving the body of the tie measurably sound. 
 
 The true place to discover the protecting quality 
 of the leatheroid is in the general appearance and 
 condition of the tie after six or eight years' exposure 
 in service and comparing it with the Burnettized or 
 even with the untreated tie. To those able to read 
 as they run, this will be quite apparent in what I 
 call the "integrity of the tie." I know no better 
 name for it, where the tie is full and sound long after 
 untreated ties have started to go in pieces or even 
 those Burnettized. 
 
 Further omissions may be suggested with a view 
 to saving any expense whatever, but it seems as if 
 the economies secured at the expense of ten to 
 twelve cents per tie, that the rules under which the 
 before mentioned results are secured are best ad- 
 hered to until something better is devised and 
 proven. 
 
 By the careful observer, the omission of the steam 
 seasoning as suggested, comes largely from the com- 
 mercial side in the discussion. Mr. Phillippi's quo- 
 tation from my book which expressed the belief that 
 the steaming was an essential part of successful im- 
 pregnation as well as a seasoning of the timber, 
 drew forth "left-handed applause" from the com- 
 
 275 
 
mercial crowd that, unfortunately, due to the reason 
 mentioned at the opening of this letter, seemed to 
 dominate the convention. 
 
 Certain matters in relation to timber impregnation 
 seem to be fundamental, among which are: 
 
 First: No iron clad rule or specification can be 
 drawn to cover the handling of every timber condi- 
 tion and every part of the country; to believe it pos- 
 sible will indicate but a limited conception of what 
 such an undertaking comprises. Only honest study 
 and extended experience with the added COMMON 
 SENSE will meet each and every case. 
 
 Second: That some timbers can only with the 
 greatest difficulty be impregnated by the aid of steam 
 and the vacuum; without, not at all. 
 
 Third: That if desired, timber cannot always be 
 secured uniformly dry, and that some timbers cannot 
 be treated at their best when delayed to be thorough- 
 ly dry, as before stated. 
 
 Fourth and lastly: Creosote cannot be utilized to 
 the exclusion of the Chloride of Zinc and other 
 agents; first, because many timbers cannot be im- 
 pregnated by any known practical process; secondly, 
 as to railroad cross-ties on account of excessive cost 
 with timber that can be impregnated. 
 
 In conclusion I call attention to the fact that we 
 have thirty-seven years' evidence of the value of the 
 Wellhouse or Zinc-Tannin and it seems the proper 
 thing to keep it until something better is offered with 
 at least a reasonable record. 
 
 I must beg your pardon for this long dissertation 
 but you must understand that is done under severe 
 provocation and in a case where a man feels like 
 snaring the stress with another. 
 
 With kindest personal regards, I am, 
 Most respectfully yours, 
 
 (Signed) SAMUEL S. ROWE. 
 
 276 
 
PROGRAM FOR TESTING AMOUNT SOL- 
 UBLE MATTER REMOVED BY STEAMING 
 
 In the impregnation of timber, whether with oil 
 or with zinc chloride, the present practice is to sub- 
 mit the timber to the action of steam, the vacuum 
 and finally to direct contact with the oil or solution 
 with a certain degree of pressure. We can weigh 
 the charge between and after the treatment and the 
 increased weight may be taken as the actual amount 
 absorbed, but it will invariably be found that this 
 excess or increase in weight will not equal the 
 actual amount drawn from the tank. To account 
 for this, we should inquire what takes place during 
 the process, it being evident that so much of the 
 solution or the oil is lost in some way, or that during 
 the process of steaming something is extracted from 
 the timber during its contact with the steam. The 
 latter is the most probable and indeed it is easy to 
 see that much of the timber resins and juices appear 
 in the off-fall to the sewer during the steaming, but 
 how much of this is timber sap and how much is 
 condensed steam cannot be easily determined. 
 
 Ordinary observation will show that the steam 
 does not disturb the insoluble cellulose or wood 
 fiber matter in the wood. If we weigh very dry 
 timber after drawing the vacuum we find that it 
 is slightly heavier than before, but if we do the 
 same when the timber is green and sappy, we 
 find it considerable lighter; hence we have reason to 
 infer that a larger amount of sap has been extracted 
 from the green than from the dry timber. 
 
 Further than this what takes place during this 
 part of the process is not known, or at least has 
 never been published by those knowing. 
 
 If we weigh before introducing again after steam- 
 ing, again after vacuum and finally after withdraw- 
 ing, we may gain some knowledge. 
 
 The temperature of the timber at each stage li 
 carefully taken might aid too, as it is quite im- 
 portant to know this in connection with the former 
 
 277 
 
facts and the time required to treat the wood clear 
 through. 
 
 The thermometer could be introduced into holes 
 previously prepared, deep enough to allow the bulb 
 to reach the center. This of course would give only 
 an approximate, but near enough to give a fair 
 knowledge of the temperature of the wood at each 
 Stage. 
 
 Various experiments are being made, at what cost 
 remains to be proven, among which are the substi- 
 tution of the Burnett for the Wellhouse process and 
 the omission of the steaming from each. One more 
 omission would bring us back to the point of start- 
 ing, where 20 per cent, renewals are required in- 
 stead of 6 per cent, as has been demonstrated. 
 
 The omission of the steaming, even where the 
 wood is exceedingly dry still leaves something lack- 
 ing in the process. The absorption of so much 
 chloride may be attained without difficulty, but the 
 juices of the timber remain one of the important 
 matters at which the steaming is aimed and which 
 cannot be reached in any other way. 
 
 This is more important with some kinds of timber 
 than others as the sugary saps go much farther in 
 the promotion of decay than the turpentines, but in 
 case of the latter there are elements that are better 
 removed. It is hardly conceivable that a railroad 
 company will experiment in this way, and I believe 
 that if the facts as to results so far were closely 
 studied and more freely disseminated, that its un- 
 wisdom would be apparent. 
 
 There has been so much tendency to pare down 
 and belittle results under the idea of being con- 
 servative, that the whole matter has been thrown 
 under a cloud of doubt. 
 
 A more sanguine treatment would seem genial 
 and wiser, particularly as in keeping the records, 
 failure from other causes than decay are inseparable 
 in the summing up. Ties destroyed by derailment 
 and from decay taking place before treatment and 
 
 278 
 
breakage or crushing from overloading swell the 
 failures even in the earlier stages. 
 
 The purpose of this paper is to encourage this 
 investigation by the co-operation of several of the 
 operators of existing works and to be able to com- 
 pare the results for the benefit of all. 
 
 The following program is suggested as meeting 
 the case, to wit: 
 
 First; weigh the last two cars in, these being the 
 most convenient to get at, before closing retort. 
 
 Second; take out and weigh, when steaming is 
 completed, at the same time taking temperature. 
 
 Third; again weigh after vacuum, again taking 
 temperature. 
 
 Fourth; again weigh immediately after with- 
 drawing charge. 
 
 The Fahrenheit thermometer requires a quarter- 
 inch hole with a bit cutting a clean hole to the 
 center of the tie and can be introduced and read in 
 a minute or two, giving at least an approximate. 
 Suggestions are in order. 
 
 (For results, see Table on Page 184, ante.; also 
 New Tests at Evansville.) 
 
 CHICAGO TIE PRESERVING COMPANY 
 TERRE HAUTE, IND., Nov. 8, 1906. 
 Mr. Samuel M. Ro-we, 
 
 Chicago, III. 
 DEAR SIR: 
 
 In reply to your letter of Nov. ist, I have made 
 several experiments within the past month on red 
 oak ties, in order to ascertain the amount of creo- 
 sote oil that can be withdrawn from the wood by 
 means of a vacuum. In these experiments the oil 
 was admitted to the cylinder without exhausting the 
 air from the wood first. 
 
 Where oak ties are well seasoned and weigh from 
 forty-five to fifty pounds to the cubic foot, I have 
 been able to withdraw from one to two and a half 
 pounds of oil per tie with a twenty-six inch vacuum 
 maintained for one hour. The wood in this case, 
 being well seasoned, will yield but a very small 
 
 279 
 
amount of oil when the vacuum is applied. Where 
 the wood is not so well seasoned, and weighs in the 
 neighborhood of fifty-five pounds to the cubic foot, 
 more oil can be withdrawn, as the oil does not 
 penetrate to a very great distance. In this case I 
 have been able to withdraw from three and a half 
 to five pounds per tie in one hour, with a vacuum 
 of twenty-six inches. 
 
 Oak ties will absorb from two to three times as 
 much oil if the air is first withdrawn from the wood 
 than they will where the oil is forced into the wood 
 without exhausting the air; and for this reason it 
 is impossible to withdraw but a small amount of 
 oil by means of a vacuum. A tie that is in con- 
 dition to absorb fifty pounds of oil, will take only 
 from twenty to twenty-five pounds of oil if the air 
 is not first exhausted. Therefore it will yield but a 
 small amount when the vacuum is applied after 
 treatment. 
 
 In the Rueping process where eighty pounds' pres- 
 sure of air is first maintained for one hour and the 
 oil then admitted without destroying the air pressure, 
 I have found it impossible to inject into a red oak 
 tie more than from five to ten pounds of oil per tie 
 with a pressure of 180 pounds per square inch for 
 three hours. 
 
 Average volume of the ties used in this experi- 
 ment = 2.75 cubic feet. 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 J. B. CARD. 
 
 Note: This letter is here deemed worthy of 
 preservation, as Mr. Card is a son of J. P. ^Card, 
 deceased, one of the earliest and best authorities on 
 timber preservation in this country; and his ex- 
 perience has been long and continuous. What his 
 tests here given show, is well worth pondering as 
 relates to the amount of oil withdrawn. 
 
 (Refer to P. Over pressure.) 
 
 280 
 
WASTING AWAY OF CHLORIDE OF ZINC 
 
 In the treatment of timber by the use of the Chlo- 
 ride of Zinc almost the first impression that strikes 
 the new investigator is that owing to the extreme 
 solubility of this chemical salt it is liable to 
 quickly waste away. Without further argument the 
 conclusion is drawn that it is quickly exhausted and 
 that decay at once sets in, and the fact is that the 
 arrival at this conclusion is generally considered 
 sufficient to condemn it as a preservative. 
 
 This conclusion is fallacious from the fact that 
 it is based upon wrong premises. That there is some 
 waste is conceded, but that this waste is of suffi- 
 cient importance to condemn the Chloride of Zinc 
 as an agent to prolong the life of the timber is all 
 wrong. The Wellhouse process (Zinc-Tannin) is 
 based upon the idea of reducing this waste. 
 
 The amount of this waste may be judged by ex- 
 posing the treated tie to frequent exposure of the 
 piece to a series of exposures to the most severe con- 
 ditions possible, that of placing the piece in water, 
 removing and drying, the analysis as to loss and then 
 repeating this for a long time.* The waste shown 
 by analysis was found considerable at first, but gradu- 
 ally reduced at each trial so that after several tests 
 the loss almost ceased and the total loss proved that 
 less than 28 per cent, of the original amount had been 
 extracted. 
 
 By relying on test of treated ties after long expos- 
 ure, is often misleading. A tie in which decay has 
 far progressed before being treated will be found in 
 after years to contain much of the Chloride still 
 present, while a sound, well impregnated tie will be 
 still sound after many years of exposure, retaining 
 but a trace. The fact is that a well grown, close 
 grained wood does not take anything like the quan- 
 tity of the chemical in the first place, and does not 
 need it. Common sense should make evident the 
 futility of treating wood where decay is more or less 
 
 * (Experiments made by F. J. Angier, when the 
 test was carried on over a year). 
 
 281 
 
present already and to treat such is a foolish and vain 
 
 expenditure of money. 
 
 To Whom it may Concern: 
 
 The question has been asked: "How long will the 
 antiseptic sap combination of chemicals stay in the 
 wood after it has been injected?" 
 
 The answer to this question is, that the effect of the 
 chemicals on the wood will remain as long as the 
 wood lasts, for the reason that it destroys the germ 
 upon which the agencies combine to cause decay. 
 The absolute penetration of the chemicals into every 
 part of the wood, destroying the germs, is what prevents 
 the heat, air and moisture from having anything to 
 work upon to generate the growth of fungi, or to 
 cause fermentation, which means decay. 
 
 In treating green lumber, the cells of which are 
 filled with sap, the chemicals combine and oxydize 
 the sap, making it a part of the preservative. 
 
 In treating seasoned lumber, where there is no sap 
 to be combined with the chemicals, the chemicals be- 
 ing a preservative within themselves, act only to kill 
 the germs remaining in the wood. 
 
 The chemicals are of such a nature and combina- 
 tion that either green or seasoned lumber can be 
 treated without the use of the dry-kiln, which so often 
 impairs the value of lumber by overheating. 
 
 After the solution has done its work of destroying 
 the germs, evaporation takes place which leaves the 
 wood filled with the oxides and carbonates, chlorides 
 and sulphates to act as a preservative to prolong its 
 life and lessen its liability to check and warp. 
 
 Should climatic conditions reduce the amount of any 
 of the chemicals, it will not reduce the effect pro- 
 duced, for the reason that the chemical action so 
 changes the original condition of the wood that all 
 germ-matter which generates a fungus growth is 
 destroyed. 
 
 We should rather look to the results of the treat- 
 ment as shown by the records of results in the pro- 
 longed life of the tie under service, and by taking 
 
 282 
 
into consideration all the conditions under which the 
 tie has passed in being treated, and deduce there- 
 from a much more philosophical explanation of 
 what has taken place. Even if there is some waste 
 during subsequent years, it is not clear but that the 
 chloride has done its work in the resolution of 
 the elements of decay thus preventing decay for a. 
 long time. The result seems to indicate that this is 
 true when we take into consideration the well at- 
 tested fact that very little decay takes place in six 
 years and an average of near twelve years* life is 
 secured with a timber that decays beyond any use 
 in six or seven years and a mean life of not over 
 five years. 
 
 Possibly this same philosophy may be applied to 
 the action of creosote, particularly as relates to the 
 more volatile ingredients popularly supposed to be 
 of little value. Like the work of the chloride, it may 
 dp valuable work while it is evanescent and entirely 
 disappears. 
 
 The primary effect of this may be somewhat as 
 the disinfectant used in cases where an infectious 
 disease has existed; it does its work at once in the 
 fumigation of the clothing and the premises, no 
 repetition being needed. 
 
OVER PRESSURE 'ON TIMBER 
 
 CHICAGO, Sept. 17, 1906. 
 
 MY DEAR ANGIER: Your welcome letter of the 
 10th inst. came to hand to-day. The main point of 
 your letter is in regard to effect of pressure to which 
 the wood is exposed in the sealed retort under high 
 pressure. I do not think that wind pressure on the 
 standing tree is a parallel at all. We know that 
 overstrain on the tree results in what are termed 
 "Wind-Shakes," but that they arise from that press- 
 ure that gives place to inflow of a liquid far beyond 
 the natural capacity to absorb, or in other words, 
 beyond the natural voids of the wood we cannot see. 
 
 One of the first experiments made on my small 
 laboratory plant showed that with 300 pounds' press- 
 ure on paving blocks of similar dimensions, an ex- 
 cessive amount was injected, so much in excess of 
 the known capacity of water-logged wood and in ex- 
 cess of what can be retained that the solution was still 
 flowing out twenty-four to forty-eight hours after 
 removal from the retort. Of course this effect would 
 be magnified by the short length of the blocks over 
 timber of considerable length, but it demonstrates 
 the effect only of the increased degree, the principle 
 and the effect being the same. 
 
 In the case mentioned where the blocks were sub- 
 jected to 300 pounds' pressure to impregnate, the ab- 
 sorption was 58 per cent, of the volume of the timber, 
 while the average absorptive power of the pine is 
 about 27 per cent, in volume. This is twice what 
 the timber will hold, consequently the over-plus will 
 waste out. 
 
 If you will visit some of the Creosoting Works 
 where piles are treated under 150 pounds to 180 
 pounds pressure, you will see the same effect only 
 in less degree. 
 
 Similarly in treating paving blocks where the 
 creosote was loaded with an equal amount of bitu- 
 men, one charge was impregnated under 200, the 
 amount ultimately held did not differ greatly except 
 
that the oil could be pressed out of the end by the 
 strength of the hand in case of the former, while the 
 latter was quiescent. 
 
 Over twenty years ago I had the advice of Mr. J. 
 P. Card and Mr. Wellhouse, the patentee of the 
 "Zinc-Tannin" process, as my tutors in the business 
 of timber impregnating, the latter having then some 
 eighteen years' experience in the business. As a 
 result of this experience was the iron-clad rule, "not 
 to exceed 100 pounds' pressure." Since then I have 
 found a tendency to try to hurry absorption by using 
 a higher pressure. I confess to allowing the trial 
 but in no case has the result been found appreciable 
 as to expediting absorption. 
 
 I would call attention to a marked characteristic 
 of ties treated under this rule and those subsequently 
 treated, where attempts have possibly been made to 
 hasten the operation by using the higher pressure. 
 The former, even in later years of life, eight to 
 twenty years after treating remain sound on top 
 but with one main check in the middle of the upper 
 side, while those of the latter treating part into 
 numerous strips. Of course this might have pro- 
 ceeded from some other cause but the presumption 
 is strong in my mind, as I know of no other cause so 
 likely to have produced this particular effect. 
 
 I cannot help as to the Rueping or the Lowry pro- 
 cesses you mention, where as high as 180 pounds 
 per square inch is used; in the former, however, 
 the required pressure has been reduced to a point 
 where it would not be very excessive and a little 
 damage to the timber may be allowable if thereby 
 good impregnation and cheap treatment is secured. 
 
 I have always labored to treat every question 
 candidly, and have labored many years, (finding my- 
 self) and have given to all the results of my labors, 
 but when anyone tells me that I am all off in this 
 matter and that 600 pounds will not injure the tim- 
 ber, I feel like challenging this most emphatically. 
 The old rule of 100 pounds is given as the limit of 
 all allowable pressure, the presumption being that 
 
 285 
 
the 100 pounds will not materially injure the fiber. 
 I have tried the injection of oil into a pile with an 
 appliance by which I hoped to impregnate it at the 
 ground surface and found that even the most solid 
 oak would split at 150 pounds, but this is a differ- 
 ent condition. 
 
 The 300 pounds of retort pressure may not mater- 
 ially affect the strength of fiber, but it is the after 
 effect developed in the course of years by exposure 
 to the elements, where the effect becomes of con- 
 sequence. 
 
 In the summing up of the whole matter of timber 
 impregnation, I think that it resolves itself into in- 
 ducing rather than forcing, and that success largely 
 depends on producing conditions by which the timber 
 will take up the oil or the solution by the action of 
 natural laws. 
 
 In the cases herein mentioned, short blocks were 
 used, hence the effect was greater than with long 
 sticks, yet this serves to demonstrate the principle 
 in question. Under the 500 Ibs. pressure the volume 
 was increased five per cent, on withdrawal, while 
 those subjected to 100 Ibs. pressure were about one 
 per cent. In both cases after two months' drying the 
 volume returned to near the original volume. 
 
 SAMUEL M. ROWE. 
 
 Note: In creosoting it requires from 150 to 180 
 pounds to impregnate even the most open timber 
 when in the shape of piles m and even this pressure 
 will not penetrate sawed dimension timber to any 
 considerable depth, and in no case is the timber 
 permeated to the extent that it is with the chloride 
 treatment. 
 
THE USE OF COMPRESSED AIR FOR SHIFT- 
 ING SOLUTIONS AND OILS. 
 
 In the treatment of timber, the solutions and oils 
 should not only be quickly shifted but what is still 
 more important is that they should not be scattered 
 and wasted but should be kept at all times so that 
 the quantity shall be easily determined at each stage 
 of the operation. 
 
 The practice of dumping from the retort and re- 
 turning by means of a pump is not only clumsy and 
 uneconomic, but renders measurement less prompt 
 and less accurate. By means of compressed air it is 
 cheaper and more promptly done and less subject 
 to error. 
 
 The notes appended are from good authority, and 
 are introduced here, as well as a very useful table 
 for computations relative to air machinery and ap- 
 pliances. 
 
 With a view tq increase the accuracy of tank 
 measurement, where practicable to use a working 
 tank of smaller dimensions, increased accuracy may 
 be secured by reducing the diameter. 
 
 TEMPERATURE OF COMPRESSED AIR. 
 
 Atmosphere at 32 deg. F. compressed to 100 pounds 
 pressure per sq. inch a temperature of about 340 
 degs. at point of discharge from compressor. When 
 discharged into a reservoir confined in a pit whose 
 temperature is from 80 to 90 degrees, it loses about 
 40 degs. As applied to a Timber treating plant and 
 used for forcing back oils and solutions, it is from 
 15 to 20 degs. higher than atmospheric pressure when 
 15 pounds per sq. inch is used. 
 
 ECONOMY OF COMPRESSOR VS. PUMP. 
 
 Under a total head of 18 ft. the pump is the cheap- 
 est, 18 to 22 ft. the same, 22 ft. and above Economy 
 in favor of the Compressor. 
 
 287 
 
INGERSOLL-RAND CO. 
 
 Table showing the relative volumes of compressed air at 
 various pressures. 
 
 S !5 .? ro'couSr^. o ^rco "r^o^ n o -* o -o -i 
 g-J " v ^ ^^ ^^^.^^"'OO ~ 
 
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 f^ 0<j; g 
 
 w^ S *o o ^foo C^VD ooo r-^.'Tt-N ooovo - n 
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 nvO ^O *O tx l^* fv-CO O O O *^ | ~^ C^i fO n"! 
 
 JE^.2 g P 
 
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 h>. 1^.00 oo O\ O O H* fs^ rrj T^- i_/"ivQ tv.oo O O 
 
 ^, _ _) cooo IN. i^ n N o r^ ^ 
 
 cooo cooo ^t o O M r^ cs o^o "^ ^> -" Ooo 
 OOO OO tv.t^.i-O^'rhCOrOC^ C-j CS Cl (N t-i i- 
 
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 QIH c^ rOrJ-LriO^OO^^O^^O^^O LT^OLO 
 HN M ts cs coco^rj-Ln LnvO vo 
 
A- 
 
 INSPECTION OF TIES 
 IN TRACK. 
 
 This form is intended for use where twrted ties 
 ire used pa^lj or wholly. The first column to 
 cov*r rtbole section, 1-1-3 up to i 0,000 if dcsirerf, 
 e-qual to two or three miles. 
 
 This pajge to give abbrevietien of Twines of 
 timber. 
 
 SAM'L M. ROW?, C. f. 
 Oef.tf IOC . 
 
 CONDITION: 
 
 Columns 7, 8, 9, 10 and i, degree of deary. 
 
 CODE 
 
 Klr<9 Of TIMBER 
 
 COPE 
 
 KlW) OF UMBCT 
 
 A 
 
 Asfc. Whi'fe 
 
 Lw 
 
 locust, Whife 
 
 Ai 
 
 Ash, Red 
 
 
 
 Oyk. W7rii> 
 
 
 
 BeecH. 
 
 Ho 
 
 0*k, I?eZ 
 
 c 
 
 Co</ar,whi'Ar 
 
 Bo 
 
 04k, Black 
 
 Re 
 
 Ce<iar. KeA 
 
 Wo 
 
 0.rK, Wtffei" 
 
 Ck. 
 
 Chestnut 
 
 3d 
 
 Oak, Bols <3e Are 
 
 Cy 
 
 Cypre$s,WltUe 
 
 Po 
 
 ok, pof 
 
 Cr 
 
 CyfrJ, Re< 
 
 P 
 
 PiTif, Meunfairt 
 
 Cw 
 
 Cettrnw0o2 
 
 SI 
 
 Pme, Shorf Leaf 
 
 n 
 
 ci7, ftet 
 
 LI 
 
 fine Long Leaf 
 
 Wl 
 
 FI-m.Hl'ekerY 
 
 LP 
 
 Pine, Lodfe PoTe 
 
 F 
 
 F/r. Dowlas 
 
 PC 
 
 Pecctt 
 
 
 
 Gw . Re* 
 
 Pm 
 
 Pinon 
 
 6w 
 
 Cwin.WhTfe 
 
 S 
 
 Sytf*wore 
 
 He 
 
 Ki'cKot- y. Shl!hrK 
 
 SP 
 
 Spruce, W>iiVe 
 
 HP 
 
 Hickory. Pignut 
 
 Si- 
 
 Spruce, Red 
 
 H 
 
 Herfoek 
 
 T 
 
 Tamar*ck 
 
 Hi 
 
 Hackberry 
 
 Bw 
 
 WtTnvt, Black 
 
 i_ 
 
 Uf.BLek 
 
 Wvy 
 
 WalTwt, White 
 
 28D 
 
B. 
 
 INSPECTION OF TIES 
 
 SIM 
 
 H 
 
 290 
 
INSPECTION OF TIES IN TRACK. 
 RECORD OF RESULTS. 
 
 No matter what theories may be promulgated as 
 to value of treatment of timber for prolongation of 
 life, or how plausible these may be, after all, the facts 
 are what count and are conclusive. Many attempts 
 have been and are being made to determine the value 
 of each method, but so far they are desultory and in 
 a measure, unsatisfactory. 
 
 The subjoined forms are offered that some con- 
 venient and concise system may be adopted at small 
 cost of time and money, by which a record may be 
 kept that will secure the desired result. 
 
 The inspection and record may be made on short 
 representative sections of the line from year to year 
 by any competent section foreman. The section fore- 
 man who is competent to say when a tie should be 
 removed should be competent to make the inspec- 
 tion. 
 
 One or two sections of one mile or even less should 
 give the data desired for any line of railroad. This 
 would give some idea of the life of untreated ties 
 which we heretofore have only by guess. 
 
 The blanks "B" should be securely wire bound 
 at the top on stiff backing fifty in each pad on the 
 back of which sheet "A" shall be pasted so as to be 
 easily refered to. 
 
 The sheets "B" should not be detached and the pad 
 should be returned intact. 
 
 It is believed that to secure the most accurate 
 record that all treated ties should be plainly stamped 
 and notwithstanding there has been much controversy 
 in regard to the best method of doing, we still believe 
 that the stamping hammer shown on Page 37 is the 
 best. The cost of stamping at the works before the 
 charge goes into the retort is small and has the ad- 
 vantage of avoiding the neglect or imperfect per- 
 formance of this necessary part of the operation. 
 See Section 12, page 24. 
 
 291 
 
It is easy to see that the value of any treatment can 
 only be judged by careful record of conditions from 
 year to year. 
 
 At this writing, no or very little record is found and 
 even this is discredited by many writers who possess 
 but limited knowledge of the facts, and seem to be in 
 too many cases impelled by self-seeking motives, 
 and too often accompanied by little or no practical 
 knowledge. Now, how is it possible for those desir- 
 ing the facts, and how is it possible to know them 
 without an honest and accurate inspection long con- 
 tinued? 
 
 It is believed that any writer on this subject who 
 has the good of the work at heart will avoid misrep- 
 resentation, secure in the belief that time will vindi- 
 cate their position and can afford to wait while those 
 who write without knowledge will find their record 
 marked with signs of their mistake and a revelation 
 of their motives. 
 
 THE ZINC CRESOTE (RUTGER) PROCESS. 
 Joseph B. Card. 
 
 It is the desire of the writer to call attention in 
 this article: 
 
 First : To the zinc-creosote process which is used 
 extensively in preserving railway ties for the Prus- 
 sian Railway Service, and to some extent in France. 
 
 Second: to an inexpensive method for agitating 
 chloride of zinc and creosote pil while under pres- 
 sure, which will enable the use of the above men- 
 tioned process in this country at a very reasonable 
 cost. 
 
 In 1872 the German chemists agreed that by adding 
 a small amount of creosote oil containing carbolic 
 acid, to the chloride of zinc solution, much better 
 results would be obtained in the preservation of ties 
 than by the use of the chloride of zinc solution only. 
 
 As both the individual merits of chloride of zinc 
 and creosote oil were well known, a combination of 
 the two solutions was recommended, based upon the 
 fact that the carbolic acid contained in the tar oil is 
 
soluble in considerable quantities in a chloride of 
 zinc solution, thereby the impregnation fluid could 
 be made to penetrate more easily into the interior be- 
 cause with the addition of carbolic acid it has the 
 capacity in a degree to dissolve the resinous con- 
 tents of the wood. This cannot be accomplished with 
 the pure solution of chloride of zinc. 
 
 In a paper by Mr. A. Schneidt, formerly Superin- 
 tendent of the Imperial Railways, Alsace Lorraine, 
 which was published in part by O. Chanute, C. E. 
 the following theory is advanced: 
 
 "In the watery solution of the chloride of zinc, 
 the carbolic (Phenols) acid contained in the tar oil 
 added, is partly dissolved; and in this diluted form 
 it penetrates the cellular tissue of the ligneous body 
 far more readily and surely than the less readily fluid 
 tar oil/' 
 
 "The presence of carbolic acid also produces a 
 potential solubility in the resinous constituents of the 
 wood, whereby the chloride of zinc solution is better 
 enabled to penetrate the fatty resinous woody strata, 
 and into the heart/' 
 
 "In the judgment of chemists it may also be as- 
 sumed that owing to the greatly attenuated degree of 
 the chloride of zinc solution, and in the presence of 
 the carbolic acid, a basic zinc "phenylate" is formed 
 from the chloride of zinc oxide, through the agency 
 of the bases of the salts which occur in wood ashes; 
 and that this "phenylate" of zinc, being insoluble 
 in water, favors duration by opposing the leaching 
 out of the impregnated ties. 
 
 "The preservative action of the dissolved carbolic 
 acid is decidedly more potent than that of the chlo- 
 ride of zinc; and as carbolic acid is also much less 
 soluble in water than chloride of zinc the addition 
 of a small quantity of tar oil containing carbolic acid 
 will also arrest the decay of the wood which absorbs 
 it. The heavy oils of the added tar oil do not as 
 readily penetrate the wood as the more fluid solu- 
 tions of chloride of zinc when reinforced with the 
 dissolved carbolic acid; the former oils remain in 
 
 294 
 
the outer woody layers of the tie, and form a very 
 thin stratum, more or less obstructive to the entrance 
 of water." 
 
 In 1874 Julius Rutger who operates most of the 
 tie treating plants in Germany, introduced for the 
 first time what is known to-day as the Rutger pro- 
 cess. 
 
 At the present writing the process consists of in- 
 jecting the equivalent of not less than one-third of 
 a pound of the dry salts of chloride of zinc per cubic 
 foot, and in addition to the four and a half pounds 
 of creosote of oil per tie. At the expiration of the 
 first ten years after the process was introduced, the 
 Prussian Railways began to see that the results ob- 
 tained from ties treated by the combination of chlo- 
 ride of zinc and creosote were giving much better 
 satisfaction than ties treated with chloride of zinc 
 alone, and the new process rapidly grew in favor, 
 so much so that at the present time all of the pine 
 and beech ties used throughout Germany are zinc 
 creosoted. The average life of ties treated by the 
 Rutger process on the Prussian Railways is from 
 twelve to sixteen years. 
 
 The French State Ry. at the International Rail- 
 way Congress in 1900 reported a life of sixteen years 
 for zinc creosoted beech ties. The records of the 
 road show that ties treated by the Rutger process last 
 25 per cent, longer than those treated with the chlo- 
 ride of zinc only. 
 
 The Rutger process was introduced in this country 
 in 1904, by the Chicago Tie Preserving Co., at Paris, 
 111., on the Big Four Ry. The use of this process, 
 (when the solution is not agitated while under pres- 
 sure) necessitates the importing of a special oil made 
 by Rutger, in order to obtain a mixture which will 
 not separate during the time the pressure is applied 
 to the ties. This has been found to be expensive 
 and at times hard to obtain. 
 
 This objection can be overcome by the use of a 
 centrifugal pump the suction being taken from the 
 top of the treating cylinder and the discharge en* 
 
 295 
 
tering the bottom, being distributed uniformly the 
 entire length of the cylinder by means of a perfor- 
 ated pipe. The pressure on both the suction and dis- 
 charge side of the pump is the same as the pressure 
 on the treating cylinder, therefore very little power 
 is required to handle large .quantities of the mixture. 
 A perfect agitation can be obtained in this manner, 
 and any good grade of oil can be injected into the 
 wood together with the chloride of zinc solution, re- 
 gardless of the specific gravity of either. 
 
 As it has been demonstrated beyond any doubt 
 both in Germany and France, that a small amount 
 of creosote oil injected simultaneously with the 
 chloride of zinc solution, will increase the life of a 
 zinc treated tie 25 per cent, it can be readily seen 
 that the small increased cost of the zinc creosote 
 process will more than pay. 
 
 The records in the United States compare very 
 favorably with the German records where the chlo- 
 ride of zinc process is used and it is reasonable to 
 assume that by adding five pounds of creosote oil 
 per tie to the chloride of zinc solution, the same in- 
 creased length of life will be obtained in this country. 
 
 The Santa Fe Railway shows eleven to twelve 
 years' life for Burnettized ties, and the Chicago Tie 
 Preserving Co. shows about the same on over 6,000,- 
 ooo hemlock ties treated for The Chicago, Rock Isl- 
 and & Pacific Ry. On the Chicago, Eastern Illinois 
 Ry., over 2,500,000 red and black oak ties have been 
 treated by the Chicago Tie ^Preserving Co. in the 
 past eight years about 950 ties have been removed 
 for decay to Nov. ist, 1906; undoubtedly the average 
 life of the treated oak ties on the road will be not less 
 than twelve years. 
 
 If the life of these ties can be increased 25 per 
 cent, by the addition of a small amount of oil the 
 extra cost will more than pay. 
 
 The cost of a zinc creosoted tie is but a trifle over 
 one-half the cost of a creosoted tie which contains 
 from twenty to twenty-five pounds of oil, and the 
 results will be the same, as the creosoted tie in the 
 
 296 
 
United States will fail from mechanical wear in 
 fifteen years the same as the zinc creosoted tie. 
 
 It has never been demonstrated either in this or 
 the foreign countries that the creosoted ties where 
 feeble doses of oil were injected have given good 
 results. 
 
 A report by M. V. Harzenstein showing the amount 
 of oil injected per tie, and the average length of life 
 obtained from treated ties on about one-half of the 
 English roads was presented to the International 
 Ry. Congress in 1895. At that time the practice on 
 the various roads was to inject from seven to ten 
 pounds of oil per cubic foot, where ten pounds of 
 oil per cubic foot was injected the life obtained was 
 from sixteen to twenty years, where from seven to 
 eight pounds per cubic foot was injected the average 
 life was from twelve to fifteen years. 
 
 The life of the treated tie in the foreign countries 
 is materially increased by the protection given it 
 from mechanical wear. 
 
 Since 1895 the English roads have further in- 
 creased the amount of oil injected per tie, at the 
 present time the practice is to inject from thirty to 
 thirty-five per tie. 
 
 The French inject still larger amounts of oil than 
 the English, and obtain better results. In a letter 
 from the Western Ry. of France published by O. 
 Chanute in Bulletin 78 American Ry. Engineers & 
 M. of W. Association, ties on the road treated with 
 from twenty-six to thirty-three pounds of oil per 
 tie failed in twelve years. The present practice con- 
 sists of injecting 48.4 pounds per tie as a minimum. 
 
 Creosoted ties have been sent to this country from 
 England at various times for exhibitive purposes. 
 The dating nail showing that they had been in service 
 twenty to twenty-five years. In no case to my knowl- 
 edge is the information given as to the amount of 
 oil originally injected. An examination of any of 
 these ties v/ill show that a perfect penetration has 
 been obtained throughout the tie. As the foreign 
 practice on treating ties is to withdraw the air from 
 
 297 
 
the wood before introducing the oil, those familiar 
 with the operation of tie treating plants know that 
 the injection of oil must be pushed to refusal before 
 a thorough penetration is obtained. Therefore it is 
 reasonably sure that these ties originally contained 
 between thirty to sixty pounds of oil per tie, as there 
 are very few woods suitable for treating, where 
 thirty pounds per tie cannot be injected when the 
 air is removed from the wood. 
 
 One record of failure where small doses of oil 
 were used took place on the C, B. & Q. Ry. In 1868 
 and 1869 20,000 creosoted ties were laid on the New 
 Boston Branch of this road and failed in seven 
 years. They were treated by the Seeley process, and 
 contained from three to four pounds of oil per cubic 
 foot. The failure was due to dry rot in the interior 
 of the tie, the ouside of the tie being sound. This 
 treatment failed also on the Chicago, Rock Island & 
 Pacific Ry. That a very good penetration was ob- 
 tained by the Seeley process was demonstrated at 
 the St. Louis Fair by a similar process. 
 
 Red and black oak ties will decay in the center first 
 in most all cases, for this reason it is necessary that 
 the anticeptic solutions should be thoroughly dis- 
 tributed throughout the tie. Where chloride of zinc 
 or zinc creoste are used this can be accomplished at 
 a reasonable cost, but where creosote oil is used the 
 cost will be large if a thorough penetration is ob- 
 tained, if a thorough penetration is not obtained in 
 creosoting oak ties then either the Burnettized or 
 the zinc creosoted tie will give better results. 
 
 It has been suggested that the creosote be injected 
 without first removing the air from the wood, and 
 afterwards the surplus oil withdrawn from the wood 
 by means of the vacuum pump. A thorough pene- 
 tration can be obtained in this way only where ties 
 are exceptionally well seasoned, but where they are 
 well seasoned they refuse to give up but a very small 
 portion of the oil injected, where the vacuum is after- 
 wards applied. 
 
 298 
 
Von Schrenk 1902: 
 
 "This is a red oak tie into which the tar oil has 
 penetrated very nicely into the heart of the tie, as 
 it has also in the next one. By using a special kind 
 of tar oil, one of the same specific gravity as the 
 zinc chloride solution, the process is without question 
 very much superior to the zinc-chloride treatment, 
 but it is still in its infancy. 
 
 Here is another, red oak (fig. 18). You see the 
 tar oil and zinc chloride have penetrated to the heart. 
 These photographs were made from middle section 
 of the tie. 
 
 Here is a very good one showing the same thing. 
 Here the tar oil has penetrated for a considerable 
 distance. This treatment will probably make these 
 ties last longer than zinc chloride alone, because it 
 will prevent the reaching out of the salts." 
 
 These ties are treated by the Chicago Tie Pre- 
 serving Co. 
 
 CHICAGO, Jan. 7, 1906. 
 
 Mr. T. W. Calvert, C. E., 
 
 Chief Engineer, C., B. & Q. Ry. t Chicago. 
 DEAR SIR: The ties mentioned in the letter en- 
 closed of Robt. J. McClure were treated by th* Seely 
 process and contained from three to four pounds 
 of creosote oil per cu. ft. They also failed on the 
 C., R. I. & P. Ry. in about the same time as on the 
 C, B. & Q. Yours truly, 
 
 J. B. CARD. 
 
 CHICAP BURLINGTON & QUINCY RY. Co., CHIEF 
 ENGINEER'S OFFICE. 
 
 CHICAGO, Aug. 28, 1882. 
 0. Chanute, Esq., C. E. 
 
 DEAR SIR: In answer to inquiry concerning the 
 preservation of timber I have from Mr. Bislet that 
 20,000 creosoted hemlock ties were laid on the New 
 Boston Branch of the C, B. & Q. Ry., in 1868 and 
 
 299 
 
'69. These were all taken out before they had been 
 in the track seven years. A hard shell from one- 
 half inch to three-fourths inch in thickness was 
 formed, but the interior crumbled from dry rot. 
 f A tank of iron was put up at Aurora in 1870, and 
 ties and plank were treated with creosote. These 
 ties lasted about the same time as those on the New 
 Boston Branch, but the plank which was used in car 
 floors and in platforms was removed after a few 
 months on account of injury to merchandise coming 
 in contact with it. 
 
 I regret that I cannot give you details of the pro- 
 cess of treatment. 
 
 The men say that the liquid was boiled, but that 
 an attempt was made at producing- a vacuum or par- 
 tial vacuum in the tank before the admission of the 
 liquid. They do not remember the proportion of 
 creosote to each tie. Yours truly, 
 
 (Signed) ROBT. J. McCujRE. 
 
 STEAMING TIMBER BEFORE IMPREGNAT- 
 ING. 
 
 I quote from letter of A. A. Robinson, President 
 Mexican Central Railroad, April igth : 
 
 "From the very nature of the case, it seems to 
 me that the idea that the ties must ^ be seasoned is 
 fallacious for the reason that the chief point in se- 
 curing good treatment is to draw from the timber 
 the juices, saps and acids contained in the wood, and 
 it seems to me this can be more rapidly done before 
 they are dried out and while they are in their liquid 
 state."^ 
 
 I think that the observation of many ^ experienced 
 operators will coincide with me in saying that the 
 steaming is an essential part of the process, not only 
 as to the effect on the timber, extracting the juices 
 and toughening the fiber of the wood and in a gen- 
 eral way preparing it to absorb the chemicals ^what- 
 ever they may be. While dry ties may be desirable, 
 in practice dry ties or ties of uniform dryness can 
 
 300 
 
rarely be secured. Three hours of steaming at 
 twenty pounds pressure will not injure the fiber and 
 the general condition of the whole charge will be 
 measurably uniform and at the same time in fit con- 
 dition to absorb the chemical when exposed to it in 
 the retort. 
 
 When the steam is discharged and the vacuum 
 drawn the timber is about as devoid of air as it is 
 possible, the pores bein<r filled with expanded vapor 
 and a remnant of air, possibly, and in much better 
 condition to absorb the solution than it can possibly 
 be when the ties are dry and the vacuum alone is 
 relied upon to extract the air from them. We do not 
 suppose in either case that the air is all withdrawn 
 but we can be assured that the condition of the tim- 
 ber is much more favorable for impregnation when 
 exposed after steaming and vacuum in the former 
 case. 
 
 When ties are dry and exposed to the vacuum a 
 considerable amount of air will still remain in the 
 tie and when this is compressed by the forced en- 
 trance of the solution it will on removal of the 
 pressure, be again forced to the surface. 
 
 Ties thus treated are giving off more or less for 
 many hours after removal from tbe retort all of 
 which goes to waste, whether chloride, oil or what- 
 soever. 
 
 It is undeniable that steamed timber will bear 
 railwear better and it is also true that some timbers 
 cannot be impregnated without the use of steam. 
 
The following article for the Wood Preservers' 
 Association is deemed worthy of reproduction in this 
 connection. Octave Chanute C. E., is one of the 
 highest authorities on the subject treated, and while 
 the author may differ with him on some minor points, 
 yet the article is all the more valuable, serving as a 
 basis of further investigation. 
 
 (Published by permission.) 
 
 THE STEAMING OF TIMBER. 
 
 By O. Chanute. 
 
 Having been asked to prepare a paper upon the 
 Steaming of Timber I think that it is well to begin 
 with a glance at the evolution of that process. 
 
 The original method of applying antiseptics for 
 the preservation of wood was by soaking it in solu- 
 tions, chiefly those of mineral salts, and that was the 
 way in which ship timber for the "Wooden Walls 
 of England" was treated with fair results over a 
 century ago. With the opening of the railway era 
 more expeditious methods were called for and in 
 1831 Breant, a Frenchman, was the first to force 
 antiseptics into wood by hydraulic pressure. He 
 used a closed, vertical cylinder in which the wood 
 was placed upright on end and pressure was applied 
 with a pump. He indicated, moreover, that better 
 penetration might be obtained by producing a par- 
 tial vacuum in the cylinder before the admission of 
 the antiseptics. Those which he employed were sul- 
 phate of iron, linseed oil, and a mixture of linseed 
 oil and resin. 
 
 Burnett patented the injection of chloride of zinc 
 in 1838. He first employed the soaking method but 
 subsequently he used pressure in closed cylinders. 
 Bethel in the same year patented the use of creo- 
 sote and used the Breant method, but his cylinder was 
 horizontal and he produced a partial vacuum therein 
 before admitting the creosote. His apparatus and his 
 methods were substantially the modern ones and have 
 
continued in use to this day, but some difficulties were 
 found when operating upon any but thoroughly sea- 
 soned timber and in 1846 Pain introduced the process 
 of previous steaming. His method for the injection of 
 sulphate of iron and sulphate of barium, consisted in: 
 
 ist. Steaming fifteen minutes. 2nd. Vacuum for 
 ten minutes. 3rd. Introduction of antiseptic. 4th. 
 Pressure of eight to ten atmospheres, the latter being 
 continued forty to fifty minutes. 
 
 This was thought to be a notable improvement, 
 more especially when operating upon imperfectly or 
 half seasoned timber and it rapidly grew in favor. 
 
 In 1857 Messrs. Lege and Fleury-Pironnett pat- 
 ented an apparatus for injecting railway ties with 
 sulphate of copper by the steaming-vacuum-pressure 
 process and tried a great many intelligent experi- 
 ments upon fresh cut, half seasoned and fully sea- 
 soned wood of various species, to establish the exact 
 advantage of each step in the process. A commission 
 to examine these results, appointed by the Agricul- 
 tural Society of Sarte (a French Department), tried 
 further experiments and thus summed up the as- 
 certained advantages of steaming. 
 
 "Wood, in seasoning, loses a good deal of weight 
 and yet shrinks but little. The sap ducts lose the 
 evaporated water and their walls become incrusted 
 with the non-volatile portions of the sap, among 
 which is vegetable albumen, constituting the princi- 
 pal cause of decay. The albumen dried at ordinary 
 temperature, hardens into a horn-like substance, but 
 the application of moisture and gentle heat again dis- 
 solves it and thus re-establishes the continuity of the 
 sap ducts. It is important to reach this result with 
 the least possible amount of condensed water, so as 
 to leave as many voids as practicable to be permeated 
 by the antiseptic solution. This is best accomplished 
 by steaming at temperatures from 212 to 240^. 
 for ten minutes to three hours according to the kind 
 and condition of the wood, and by following this 
 up for some ten minutes with as great a vacuum as 
 possible. The steam penetrates and dampens all the 
 
fibers of the wood; it heats and swells it consider- 
 ably; it carries off, moreover, by a sort of washing, 
 various volatile or soluble substances, and yet it 
 condenses in the wood in such small quantities that 
 the increase in weight is negligible and sometimes 
 more than overbalanced by the weight of the matters 
 extracted." 
 
 This, it will be noted, was predicated upon the in- 
 jection of sulphate of copper. It is believed that 
 steaming before the vacuum was then universally 
 adopted in Europe by all the establishments which 
 injected mineral salts, but those injecting creosote 
 early recognized that the small amount of condensed 
 steam left in the wood resisted to some extent the 
 injection of this oily substance, and the writer be- 
 lieves that the present practice in Europe is not to 
 steam wood intended to be creosoted. In England, 
 the timber, much of which has been rafted, is very 
 thoroughly air seasoned. In France and Germany 
 ties are stacked in open piles for ten or twelve 
 months, during which some sixteen to twenty-five 
 per cent, of the weight is lost and then they are in 
 many cases dessicated further in drying ovens (not 
 dry kilns), during which latter process they lose 
 three or four per cent, more of weight before being 
 transferred warm into the creosoting cylinder. 
 Another method is to boil the ties in hot creosote 
 so as to evaporate the sap and make room for the 
 creosote which is injected by pressure. ^ This is per- 
 haps the best method, laboratory experiments show- 
 ing that there is still eighteen to twenty per cent, 
 of moisture in so-called thoroughly air seasoned tim- 
 ber. 
 
 For wood to be injected with mineral salts steam- 
 ing is generally resorted to in Europe. These salts 
 being in watery solutions the condensed steam is not 
 objectionable as it merely weakens the solution, 
 which is made a trifle stronger than would other- 
 wise be the case. 
 
 In the United States Hayford took out various 
 patents for steaming in 1859-1870, 1872 and 1877 
 
 804 
 
which were hailed as great improvements and went 
 into extensive use even for creosoting. For a time 
 every wood preserver steamed before injection and 
 it is only within the last two or three years that the 
 question has been raised whether better penetration 
 with mineral salts cannot be obtained by omitting 
 steaming altogether. 
 
 The writer having tried hundreds of experiments 
 during the first ten or fifteen years of his practice 
 in the injection of mineral salts, believes that whether 
 it is advisable to steam or not to steam depends al- 
 together upon the condition of the wood when it 
 becomes necessary to inject it. The best practice is 
 to season it thoroughly, but customers are generally 
 impatient and urgently require the treated wood for 
 immediate use. So the operator has often the al- 
 ternative of either incommoding his client or of not 
 doing the best work of which he is capable. He not 
 infrequently unloads timber on the ground at his own 
 expense in order to season it a little more. 
 
 Wood structure generally contains 30 to 50 per 
 cent, of cells by volume. In the living tree these 
 cells are filled with sap, and the problem is how to 
 replace this sap with some preservative substance. 
 In rafting a small part is washed out by diffusion 
 and in air seasoning perhaps over one-half of the 
 watery portion of the sap slowly evaporates. It is 
 obvious enough that in order to inject satisfactory 
 amounts of any antiseptic a place for this must be 
 found in the wood, and if the sap cells be filled with 
 san or with water, it is clearly impossible to fill them 
 with another fluid. To clear the sap cells, therefore, 
 we must produce some motive force inside of the 
 wood. This motive power may consist of steam gen- 
 erated inside of the wood, or it may consist of ^air 
 which has replaced so much of the watery portion 
 of the sap as has evaporated in seasoning, which air 
 is heated and expanded by steaming. 
 
 Proceeding upon this theory the writer tried very 
 many experiments with various species of wood, 
 fresh cut, quarter seasoned, half seasoned or wholly 
 
seasoned, by steaming them various lengths of time, 
 they being weighed in and out at each stage of the 
 operations. He found that where the wood was fresh 
 cut and full of watery sap it required no less than 
 eight hours of steaming at twenty pounds pressure 
 (258 F.) to bring the center of a tie six by eight 
 inches section to the boiling point or 2I2F., at which 
 the sap would begin to generate steam so as to drive 
 out some of the watery portion. It is understood 
 that the creosoters who operate upon fresh cut or 
 waterlogged piles are sometimes compelled to steam 
 for twenty-four hours, at more than twenty pounds 
 pressure, in order to clear the wood for injection. In 
 that case it is probably safe to begin the operation 
 with steam as high as thirty pounds pressure (275F) 
 because the water in the wood which first evaporates 
 protects the fiber from immediate injury, but towards 
 the close of the operation the pressure should not ex- 
 ceed twenty pounds, which has been found the point 
 (258F.) at which small injury to the strength of 
 the fiber is likely to result. 
 
 With half seasoned ties, i. e., air-dried from four 
 to six months, according to the time of the year, 
 the writer ascertained the perhaps surprising fact 
 that more sap could be extracted by one to three 
 hours' steaming than could be gotten ^out of fresh 
 cut ties by three to five hours of steaming at twenty 
 pounds pressure. Of course there was more of the 
 watery portion of the sap in the fresh cut ties than 
 in those half seasoned, but it could not be extracted 
 satisfactorily without much longer steaming. It was 
 concluded that when the wood was half seasoned 
 some air had flowed in and f that this, being moder- 
 ately hastened by the steaming, expanded so as to 
 drive out a good deal of the remaining sap, and this 
 view was confirmed by the examination of the ties 
 immediately upon their withdrawal from the treat- 
 ing cylinder, when minute bubbles of air .and sap 
 were observed issuing from the ends of the ties. 
 
 With fully seasoned ties, say six to twelve months 
 from the cutting, the effect of the steaming was some- 
 
 306 
 
times to increase the weight of the ties, and some- 
 times to diminish it, such increase or loss being, 
 however, very small and well within two per cent 
 It was found that when the ties were in that condi- 
 tion it was best to dispense with the steaming alto- 
 gether, and to begin with the vacuum ; as more solu- 
 tion (chloride of zinc in this case) could be injected 
 than when the ties were previously steamed, which 
 latter operation, leaving some condensed steam in the 
 wood (say perhaps five per cent, of its weight re- 
 duced to two per cent, by the subsequent vacuum), 
 diminished by just so much the quantity of solution 
 which could be forced into the tie. 
 
 These experiments were made from 1890 to 1900 
 and were fully confirmed by experiments made in 
 1904 by Mr. S. M. Rowe. From the results and from 
 experience gained in regular working, the following 
 practice has grown up at the works of the writer: 
 
 ist. To refuse to treat fresh cut ties, but to put 
 them down on the ground to season. 
 
 2nd. To begin the spring season's treating by 
 steaming, unless the ties are of the previous year's 
 cutting. 
 
 3rd. To omit steaming in the summer and autumn 
 when the ties prove to be well seasoned. 
 
 This practice leaves open the question whether it is 
 important for the best results to first sterilize the 
 germs of decay by heat, either that of steam or that 
 of hot air in drying ovens. Some bacteriologists hold 
 that the germs of decay exist in the sap of the wood 
 before it is cut down, and some believe that these 
 germs penetrate into the wood after it is treated. The 
 writer's experience with the results of ties previously 
 steamed or treated without steaming is not sufficient 
 to enable him to adduce any facts bearing on this 
 question, but he believes that the European practice 
 of heating- wood in drying ovens just prior to ^ its 
 injection is good and that this may be the next im- 
 provement which should be introduced in this country. 
 Be this as it rnay, he hopes that the members of this 
 association will contribute their experience to the dis- 
 
 807 
 
cussion of this paper, and that the result will be to 
 produce still better work in wood preserving. 
 
 CONSERVATION OF FORESTS IN AMERICA. 
 
 Prest. J. J. Hill of the Great Northern Railway in 
 speaking of the exhaustion of soil, timber, ores and 
 coal, while presenting a startling possibility in a 
 humanitarian sense, yet in each case there is a 
 large element of truth. That improvidence pervades 
 in the several cases that cannot but mean ruin to 
 civilization in the course of time and not very far 
 distant as measured by human history. 
 
 Confining ourselves to the two most imminent 
 sources of peril, that of exhaustion of the soil and 
 the woods, we can look back not beyond the space 
 of the life of our great-grandfathers and view our 
 whole territory from its eastern limit to a line far 
 west of the Mississippi river, now essentially de- 
 nuded of its forests, and at the same time large in- 
 roads are being made in the far west and in the 
 timber centers of the south. 
 
 As to the soils, Mr. Hill only repeated what every 
 well informed agriculturist knows. Minnesota and 
 the Dakotas were for many years noted for both 
 the quantity and the excellence of the wheat crop. 
 Now we hear of trouble from rust and other kindred 
 evils; only what should be expected after taking off 
 and putting nothing on for the last thirty or forty 
 years. It means poverty of soil; soil impoverished 
 by wasteful methods and human greed. 
 
 In 1840 Illinois raised just as fine wheat for a few 
 years, then the crop began to fail generally except 
 where the land was fed by its own products such 
 as manure from stock and by intelligent rotation 
 of crops, and was thus rendered prolific for wheat 
 indefinitely. That this can be done in any and all 
 the agricultural states will hardly be questioned. 
 
 The same improvidence seems to be the rule in our 
 forests. The forests of this country are the product 
 of several hundred years previous to its occupation 
 
 30 
 
by our people; some trees now being cut are the 
 natural growth of a thousand years, over thirty 
 generations, and many trees are being cut that cannot 
 be re-grown in ten generations. The remaining sup- 
 ply of timber is being still further imperiled by fires 
 more numerous and destructive from year to year as 
 the country is being invaded and the increased de- 
 mands of trade, calls for more wood. The amount 
 of timber required for railroad ties alone is such 
 as to tax present supply and to accentuate the ex- 
 haustion of our remaining forests. It is not neces- 
 sary to call for statistics as the ever increasing de- 
 mand as to this one item of supply and increasing 
 cost will sufficiently attest. 
 
 The forces of nature can be depended upon to 
 replace the waste to the extent of the existing area 
 for growth only, but it is constant and persistent 
 and in the aggregate it will go far to repair the 
 loss if given a fair chance. Perhaps the most power- 
 ful influence that can be employed to aid is the 
 building up of the sentiment of love for the tree 
 among the masses of our people. This interest is 
 easily awakened and if cultivated will show results 
 after a time. Arbor day if generally kept in the 
 schools of the country will make its influence felt, 
 especially with the young. Tree planting where con- 
 ditions are right while tending the same way is 
 but puny compared with the forces of nature. We 
 must look to other measures to conserve nature. 
 
 Once in a while we come across a timber lot or a 
 bit of the original forest in some of the older states 
 where it has been carefully preserved in its primeval 
 state and where we consider that this is what ex- 
 isted over half of the territory now covered by our 
 country, we can better appreciate the destructive 
 forces at work. 
 
 Where human greed is unrestrained we see the 
 main cause of unnecessary waste by the reckless de- 
 struction of everything, except the tree bodies that 
 are cut into lumber and to which much of the 
 destruction by fire originates and may be attributed. 
 
 309 
 
Another cause of waste consequent on the fore- 
 going manifestation of human greed is in the pro- 
 miscuous bleeding for turpentine, where premature 
 destruction is carried out on the young and fast 
 growing second growth trees too small to produce 
 much, and causing the trees to blow down thus de- 
 stroying what in the next generation would produce 
 valuable trees. The thought suggests that tree econ- 
 omy would require that the production of turpentine 
 be confined to that which can be extracted from the 
 matured tree or from the waste part of trees cut 
 into lumber. Just how far the Government can law- 
 fully interpose to avoid this unnecessary waste is 
 something we cannot here say, but it would seem 
 right that such power or influence as it does possess 
 should be exerted to this end. 
 
 The Forest Service Bureau of the Department of 
 Agriculture t it is presumed is the proper party 
 through which all the powers of the general Gov- 
 ernment are brought to bear, and to this we must 
 anchor our hope and trust that such influence as 
 they possess joined with the sound sense and far 
 seeing judgment of those engaged in the lumber 
 producing business, will at least partially prevent this 
 almost criminal waste in the future. A proper 
 understanding between this Department and the lum- 
 bering interest will go far to prevent destructive 
 fires. The responsibility for carelessness or wanton 
 setting of fire should have heavy penalty attached 
 and should be enforced whenever possible. 
 
 Tree Planting: Over sixty years ago, the writer 
 then but a boy, found no greater pleasure than that 
 of roaming the then primeval forest with its growth 
 of noble trees : Oak, Walnut, Hickory, and almost a 
 complete list of those trees of the temperate zone 
 with its concomitant herbage, forming a book, the 
 study of which caused almost a feeling of reverence 
 for those noble trees, and impelled the planting of 
 the Walnut as it dropped from the parent tree^ The 
 result of this boyish impulse is a tree eighteen inches 
 in diameter above the stump and this in a situation 
 
 810 
 
not at all favorable to the Walnut. With favorable 
 soil and conditions as to moisture, double this 
 growth would have resulted. 
 
 Two trees seem to be adapted in a commercial 
 sense, for profitable planting on account of rapidity 
 of growth; the Black Locust and the Osage Orange 
 (Bois d Arc) especially the latter on account of its 
 freedom from insect attack, a source of almost com- 
 plete destruction of the locust, which should com- 
 mand attention of our Forest Bureau. Both these 
 trees will grow in almost any soil or situation, pro- 
 ducing the most lasting of wood and growing very 
 closely. The Osage Orange, if planted very closely 
 and given close attention during the first five to 
 eight years in trimming away side branches, should 
 produce the highest and earliest return for the 
 ground and the labor expended. 
 
 Railroad Cross Ties: The call for railroad ties 
 is one of the most severe drafts on the timber supply 
 and this has been confined thus far to the White 
 Oak, but the time has now arrived when railroad 
 managers are forced to relax and resort to the 
 softer timbers simply because the white oak ties 
 cannot be had. It is apprehended that they will be 
 equally obdurate as to the use of steel for the same 
 purpose as long as wood can be had at almost any 
 price on account of the superiority of wood for 
 this purpose. Even if steel or other substances are 
 adopted, the wood must be interposed in the shape 
 of blocks or shims to ease the rigidity of the bear- 
 ing of the rail. 
 
 Chemical Treatment of Timber: If the softer 
 woods which have heretofore been rejected on ac- 
 count of their shorter life when exposed to the 
 elements in the railroad track can be utilized, the 
 field of supply is infinitely enlarged and much that 
 has heretofore been considered useless and being 
 destroyed can be utilized. 
 
 Much has been offered pro and con as to whether 
 the methods of treatment in this country have been 
 successful, but the writer believes that the best 
 
 311 
 
authorities of today as well as future results will 
 justify in saying that many of the woods heretofore 
 rejected can be made to last longer and make better 
 ties than even the white oak. 
 
 Wood Pulp : This is another source of depletion 
 of the forest and no doubt a legitimate and useful 
 one, but confined to a few of the most valuable 
 timbers. The thought occurs whether the remnants 
 of other woods may not be utilized instead of the 
 more valuable tree bodies as suggested in the ob- 
 taining of turpentine from the pine. These remnants 
 may not be so cheaply reduced but considering that 
 the material will otherwise be wasted, does it not 
 come within the line of policy of the government to 
 forbid further waste? 
 
 In view of the fact that all wood fiber is of much 
 the same consistence does not this view seem reason- 
 able? 
 
 Tree planting, while as before stated, carried on 
 by human effort now in its infancy, is puny compared 
 with the results of nature, may grow in time to be 
 of much importance. A combined effort by all par- 
 ties whether individuals or railroad, or other cor- 
 porations will result eventually in an increase worthy 
 of the effort. 
 
 One great advantage will be in the awakening of 
 effort that will increase both interest and knowledge 
 on ^the part of the people with an increased dis- 
 position to not only add to the volume of the 
 product, but to avoid waste and to create a feeling 
 of sacredness toward the noble plants that banish 
 the desert wherever they are grown. 
 
 Aside from the conservation of existing forests 
 their reforestation seems to be the most important of 
 all, and efforts in this direction are being stimulated 
 by the aid of the Forest Service under the able 
 direction of that department of the government. 
 There is hardly a doubt but that the vast area of the 
 white pine in Michigan could with proper care have 
 been far along toward this reproduction and that it 
 is not duo to the impoverishment of the soil, but is 
 
due to the improvident burning over, and not to any 
 great extent to stock pasturage. In the south where 
 the pines have grown the second growth it is grow- 
 ing vigorously, but the Old Field and the Yellow 
 pine growing vigorously as to defy stock very 
 quickly. Reproduction of forest in this way can of 
 course be aided by extended planting in connection 
 with those growing naturally, the latter furnishing 
 the young plants for resetting in open spaces. 
 
 Tree planting on desert or some desert lands 
 seems to be of uncertain utility, we see on the great 
 plains over a stretch of many hundred miles almost 
 treeless with the one exception of the cottonwood, 
 and that only along the streams, even then of but 
 little value except to relieve the eye. 
 
 Only long patient study will determine how far it 
 is practicable to encroach on the great plans, and 
 what useful timbers can be grown. The absence of 
 any other timber is strong evidence that it will be 
 difficult to grow other timbers with any degree of 
 success. 
 
 But let reforestation be attempted, the original 
 primitive forests of this country can never be re- 
 produced. Human effort directed by the knowledge 
 now being so acquired and prepared by the United 
 States government through the Forest Service can 
 be used to direct the impulses of all possible effort 
 in the most practical methods. Desultory and lim- 
 ited efforts can be utilized with the aesthetic sense, 
 impelled by that innate love of beauty among the 
 people, will only beautify the country. 
 
 The commercial spirit can hardly impel extensive 
 tree planting exclusively, because the reward or 
 commercial return is so long coming. We will take 
 a case of the production of one tree, say that of the 
 western yellow pine where it requires 200 years to 
 produce a^ tree thirty inches in diameter at the 
 stump having a volume of wood equal to 2,000 feet 
 board measure producing 1,200 feet B. M. of sawed 
 lumber. This same tree is one-tenth grown at 70 
 years, one-third grown at 100 years and three- 
 
 313 
 
quarters grown at 160 years; so we see that the 
 reward is so remote that it is of little interest to 
 people now living. Large corporations managing 
 ten thousand miles of railroad perhaps might enter 
 upon this humanitarian scheme with a remote hope 
 of succeeding in beautifying their property remotely. 
 It is true that some timbers mature or at least be- 
 come of such size as to be used at a much earlier 
 period, the Catalpa for instance, but this can only 
 be done in the south or on a soil much too valuable 
 to be given over in the face of rapid filling up of 
 the country by the natural increase in population. 
 
 In view of this, it would seem proper to first save 
 our forest by ceasing wasteful methods in cutting; 
 second, by increasing available stock by drawing 
 from contiguous countries, inviting rather than re- 
 pelling trade by too high tariff on importations; 
 or lastly, and not the least, by any means, saving our 
 remaining forests by elaborating the first mentioned 
 means, that of broadening the field for supplying 
 railroad ties and timber by treatment chemically as 
 is now coming somewhat into favor. For ties alone 
 the railroads in the United States call for annually 
 somewhat over sixty million cross ties, 2,160 million 
 feet B. M., leaving out of consideration bridge tim- 
 ber and piles. 
 
 By use of preservatives the field is broadened, first 
 by bringing into use many of the less valuable tim- 
 bers, and secondly by at least doubling the life in 
 service. Until very recently only a few of the 
 most valuable trees were accepted, such as the white 
 oak, cedar, etc., now there is scarcely a wood fibre 
 but may be made as lasting as the best. 
 
 I will not say that efforts in tree planting will be 
 in vain. It is a work our government may well take 
 up and should do so, and the progress toward doing 
 it understandingly is such already as to give hope 
 of great good to posterity at least. Its influence will 
 tend to foster the love of the tree among the people, 
 will do more to curb wastefulness among lumber- 
 men and is about the only influence that will do this 
 
 314 
 
effectually. The many millions of forest reserva- 
 tions and their management as well as the extension 
 of the same systematic management to the private 
 preservers with the constant improvement of this 
 service is a hopeful topic on which every one should 
 second heartily. 
 
 Reforestation is a matter in which government aid 
 and influence should be exerted as the most practical 
 means to the desired end. Soil and climate have 
 much to do with the success. When the pines have 
 grown they will grow again as in the northmost 
 bounds of the temperate zone for the white pine, 
 on the mountain breast below the snow line for the 
 Fox spruce, etc., and on the alluvial plains of the 
 south for the southern yellow pine and the kindred 
 trees and on the alluvial valley almost everywhere 
 for the walnut, maple, hickory, beach, etc. The 
 lesson taught is where they each grow best there 
 plant them. As nature furnishes the plant this ran 
 be done most easily with the best assurance of 
 success. 
 
 Statistics have been avoided from paucity of data 
 at hand. The work of the Forest Service will in 
 time give this in a shape not possible by the efforts 
 of the writer. A mass of detail matter has been 
 gathered but it will require much time and labor 
 to make it available. 
 
 "Great oaks from little acorns grow; Great rivers 
 from little rivulets flow." This couplet whether 
 rightly quoted, covers in a humanitarian sense, mat- 
 ters of vital interest to the human race. Destroy 
 the tree, and the rivulet dries up and the river be- 
 comes a dry desert. The tree is the noblest and 
 most useful of all plant?. It is doubtful whether a 
 man ever willingly pnt his axe into one without 
 a sense of violation of^ his ideal of life or enjoy- 
 ment unless impelled with a sense of gain. 
 
 When the instinct of gain is present, the forest 
 is ruthlessly jnvaded with no other thought. Only 
 the interposition of government control will save the 
 country from becoming a desert from total destruc- 
 
 315 
 
tion of the forest and the drying up of the waters. 
 A natural veneration for this noble plant, the tree, 
 such as will not only deny its destruction but will 
 impel the planting of the tree will aid in ameliorating 
 the conditions. Nature has stored up in advance a 
 bountiful store of forests which inside of 300 years 
 is threatened to become largely depleted in the near 
 future, and it will be indeed fortunate if the un- 
 necessary waste can be arrested before its scarcity 
 : reaches acute conditions. 
 
 AN ARRAIGNMENT 
 
 WESTERN RAILWAY CLUB, MEETING AT AUDITORIUM, 
 CHICAGO, DEC. l6, IQO2 
 
 From an address by Dr. Herman von Schrenk, in 
 charge of the Missouri Valley Laboratory of the 
 Bureau of Plant Industry of the U. S. Department of 
 Agriculture, we quote: 
 
 a. ". . . . and leave out the costly and ruinous 
 steaming process which is generally used in this 
 country." (P. 155 rep.) 
 
 b. "I do not go into a discussion as to the value 
 of the glue-tannin treatment to any great extent but 
 I might say I am distinctly opposed to that sort of 
 treatment from the bottom up because it is based 
 theoretically as well as actually, on a great many 
 false factors." (P. 177 rep.) 
 
 c. "I believe that a great many railroads will 
 follow the lead of the Atchison road in dropping 
 the zinc chloride glue treatment and reverting 
 to the straight zinc chloride process. (P. 177 rep.) 
 
 d. "Mr. Tratman (referring to claim that the glue 
 does not penetrate the wood) "Does that same ob- 
 jection apply to the subsequent creosote process?" 
 
 We want to say right here that any one at all famil- 
 iar with the process knows that the zinc chloride does 
 penetrate the wood fibre quite completely, more so 
 than any other known solution and that this is not so 
 with the oil which, except in the very soft and open 
 woods, will not penetrate the wood except under very 
 
 316 
 
 THIS PARAGRAPH SHOULD Go IN 
 
high pressure and then only penetrating the wood 
 fibre in strips and bands where the high pressure has 
 parted the wood by the radical cleavage and not large- 
 ly by way of the natural wood ducts. 
 
 Mr. von Schrenk : "No sir, that not only penetrates 
 into the holes but completely penetrates the fibre, 
 whereas in the other process it does not penetrate the 
 wood fibre itself, so that I consider the subsequent 
 tannin-glue process a distinct waste of money." ^ 
 
 The author has heard this address mentioned but 
 had no opportunity to read it until very recently, 
 and now considers it a duty to notice it and by the 
 light of subsequent developments to weigh its value. 
 
 The implication, taking the address as a whole, 
 is that nothing has been done in this country to the 
 advance of the business of timber preservation, of 
 any value. 
 
 The position we always assumed in the matter of 
 "Preservation of Timber" is that after the practical 
 benefits of any process have been demonstrated, to 
 hold to it until a better has been proven. Subse- 
 quent events indicate that Mr. von Schrenk has fol- 
 lowed every new process, the Barchall, the Aler- 
 dyce, the Rueping, and the Rueping reversed, etc., 
 the value of none of which have yet been proven. 
 When their value has been proven we will be only 
 too glad to acknowledge this value. 
 
 Answering Mr. von Schrenk's address, we use the 
 quotation as shown at the head of this article in 
 turn. 
 
 a. "In regard to steaming timber to prepare, for 
 impregnation, we refer to previous articles published 
 herewith. Mr. von Schrenk claimed a year ago 
 'that steaming reduced the strength of timber twen- 
 ty-five per cent.* Subsequent careful observations by 
 one of the most careful chemists, Professor Hatt, 
 fail to prove this. 
 
 b. "The zinc-tannin which is condemned in toto, 
 is one that has been the means of saving millions 
 of dollars, not only to the A. T. & S. F. Railroad, 
 
 *At twenty pounds steam pressure. 
 
 317 
 
but to many other railroads. So treated, ties that 
 without treatment would only last from two to six 
 years were made to last a mean of six to twelve 
 years. Loblolly ties in Texas that will rot beyond 
 use in two years, were made to last so that re- 
 newals of any consequence began in the sixth year, 
 and only then largely in consequence of the broken 
 surface of the protecting glue and tannin so con- 
 temptuously mentioned, due to corrugated tie plates 
 by which about two per cent, became rotten under 
 the tie plate only, while sawed ties were mainly still 
 sound at six years. 
 
 c. As to "abandonment of the zinc-tannin pro- 
 cess," we will only say that subsequent history has, 
 in five years after the utterance of this prediction, 
 shown that it has not proven true. 
 
 d. We suppose that the process here referred to 
 is the "Alardyce," so called, by which the absorption 
 of oil was not as much as would be taken up by 
 simply dipping a dry tie into a vat and removing 
 it in a minute. He has subsequently stated this 
 process to be successful in Mexico, but if^so he has 
 not so far shown any authentic record of it. 
 
 We deem it high time that this assault on every- 
 thing American in relation to Timber Preservation 
 shall be met vigorously as largely in consequence of 
 this influence on the matter, the effect has been to 
 throw the whole matter into doubt. It has also 
 opened a wide field to self-interested promoters, who, 
 with oily tongues and specious theories, stand ready 
 to take advantage of the circumstances. 
 
 318 
 
NATURAL OILS AS A PRESERVATIVE 
 
 Some recent experiments seem to indicate that 
 some of the natural oils, a heavy petroleum carrying 
 a large portion of asphaltum can be used to impreg- 
 nate ties. According to Mr. Faulkner, of the Santa 
 Fe Railroad Company, that company are proposing 
 to substitute this oil in its crude state, for creosote 
 oil. It has been tested for several years with indi- 
 cations of good results. Should it prove effective 
 it will be most important in the face of early and 
 rapid advance in prices undoubtedly impending. ^ 
 
 We have made examination of a Mexican oil of 
 much the same character as the California oil and 
 found its penetration as quite equal to that of the 
 coal tar product. If it holds out as it seems now to 
 promise, the new agent will prove a boon indeed. 
 
 The analysis of the San Louis Potosi Oil is as 
 follows : 
 
 Color Dark brown 
 
 Odor -Tarry 
 
 Consistency A thick fluid semi-liquid 
 
 Appearance A liquid asphaltic mixture 
 
 Reaction Slightfy alkaline 
 
 15 
 Specific gravity, at C 0.983 
 
 I5 o 
 
 15 
 
 Degrees Baume at C I2.4B. 
 
 15 
 
 Viscosity, Redwood's at 21 C 48,900 
 
 Flashes at 4iC. or IO5.8F. 
 
 Burns at I20C. or 248F. 
 
 Sulphur 3.26 per cent 
 
 Calorific Power, by Calorimeter 14,648. I B. T. U. 
 
 Weight of i gallon of the crude oil 8.1953 Ibs. 
 
 i Kilo of oil 1.017 Liters 
 
 Distillation of the Crude Oil: 
 
 Begins to condense at 65 C. or I49F. 
 
 First drop over at 74*C. or ioVF. 
 
 819 
 
15 15 
 Distillates Sp. Gr. at C. Baume at C. 
 
 15 15 
 
 Notes. 
 
 By Engler's method of fractioning the crude oil 
 gave as follows: 
 
 Naphtha Essences 3.20 per cent 
 
 Illuminating oils 16.50 
 
 Lubricating oils & paraffins 66.58 
 
 Coke heated to dryness 13.72 
 
 100. per cent 
 
 Coke as taken from the retort was a black glisten- 
 ing mass. 
 
 Analysis of the Coke was found to be as follows: 
 (after burning off all Volatile & Combustible matter) 
 
 Fixed Carbon , 89.81 per cent 
 
 Ash 10.19 
 
 100. per cent 
 
 Resume: ... As a burning oil for fuel this 
 oil could hardly be used to advantage in engines on 
 account of the high viscosity, which would nee 
 extra heating to liquefy the oil to force it to En- 
 gine from the tank in which it is kept; on account 
 of the high sulphur value which would need frequent 
 repairs to the fire box and adjoining parts; and the 
 calorific value is hardly high enough to recommend 
 in the place of coal which is on the market and which 
 gives its equal or better in B. T. U. 
 
 The loss by evaporation in 24 hours at I2OF. is 
 6.22 per cent. The loss will entirely depend on the 
 volume of the oil as well as to the depth of the mass 
 as stowed. Yours very truly, 
 
 (Signed) JAS. M. B. HARD. 
 
 TOPEKA, KAN., FEB. 26th, 1907. 
 
 Mr. Sam' I M. Rowe, Room 364 Monadnock Block, 
 
 Chicago, III. 
 DEAR SIR : I have your letter of Feb. 25th, in refer- 
 
 320 
 

 ence to the experiments in treatment of ties by crude 
 oil, and beg to say the analysis shows as follows: 
 
 Flashes, open test 242 F. 
 
 Burns 300 F. 
 
 Degrees Baume 15.00 
 
 Specific Gravity 966=60.28 Ibs. per cu. ft. 
 
 Percentage of Sulphur 2.41 
 
 Gasoline Trace 
 
 Illuminating kerosene 22 per cent. 
 
 Residuum, (chiefly Asphaltum) 78.00 per cent. 
 
 B. T. U 17,000 
 
 In case the same should be of any interest to you, 
 I herewith attach copy of letter which I sent a gen- 
 tleman the other day, who had been making inquir- 
 ies in reference to this matter. 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 E. O. FAULKNER, 
 Mgr. Tie and Timber Dept 
 
 Enc. 
 
 We, (The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway) 
 have been using crude oil in our engines in Cali- 
 fornia since 1891, and a few years thereafter began 
 sprinkling the^ roadbed with oil to keep down dust ; 
 so that a coating of oil was spread over the tops of 
 the ties, which seemed to add to their life (they 
 were untreated) by keeping the moisture off the 
 tops, at all events this was the belief of the track 
 men. 
 
 In the vicinity of Baker sfield in Kern county, Cali- 
 fornia, we get an oil, costing about 25 cents per 
 barrel of 42 gallons, of low gravity, which has an 
 asphaltum residuum of about 77^ per cent., the bal- 
 ance being mainly light oils, so that when Dr. Von 
 Schrenk, of the Government Service, asked our peo- 
 ple for a length of track in southeastern Texas to 
 conduct a number of experimental tests on the differ- 
 ent wood preservative processes then in common use, 
 we took the opportunity of putting in a few ties of 
 each kind of wood treated with nothing but this 
 same crude oil, alongside the others, in order to ob- 
 
 321 
 
tain a practical comparison of the results. These 
 were treated in the Fall of 1901 and put in the track 
 in March, 1902. Where they are laid an untreated 
 loblolly pine tie lasts about two years, and a long- 
 leaf pine less than four years on account of heat and 
 moisture, so that we use this piece of track for our 
 wood preservative experiments with the surety that 
 if a tie will last from decay down there a certain 
 length of time, it is good for at least three times the 
 life in other places on the System, judging by the life 
 there of similar wood untreated. 
 
 The timber experts claim that, in order to produce 
 decay, moisture and heat must be present at the same 
 time, with access to the air. We therefore took 
 thoroughly well air-seasoned ties, in which, of course, 
 the cells would be more or less open, and filled them 
 with this crude oil heated to 180 degrees F., forced 
 in under a pressure of 150 Ibs. to the square inch; 
 at this temperature I am inclined to believe that a 
 good proportion of the light oils had evaporated, 
 leaving only the asphaltum residuum, which was 
 then as fluid as creosote. The ties took up from 
 four gallons up to eight gallons per tie, only one 
 taking the latter amount, and the oil appears to have 
 hardened in the cells under atmospheric temperature, 
 so that up to the present (five years' service) they 
 are in first class shape so far as preservation and 
 wear are concerned. In November last we took one 
 out of the track and sawed it in two in the middle 
 and under each rail base; the wood was as sound 
 and firm as^when laid in the track, with less rail cut- 
 ting than with the other treatments, the spike holding 
 firmly, and when drawn was as bright and clean as a 
 newly made one. We have since taken out another 
 pine tie of a different variety, but sawed, and found 
 on sawing it the same as before, that the wood was 
 just as sound and firm. In one place the sawing 
 developed a decayed place in the tie, which had taken 
 up more oil on account of its decay. This had not 
 spread or caused any trouble, presumably on account 
 of the ring of oiled wood surrounding it. 
 
In this experimental track we have a number of 
 different kinds of wood treated with different pro- 
 cesses. They all show up well excepting one, (the 
 Hassellman) which has practically gone to pieces; 
 and as a contrast, in each case we also have a num- 
 ber of the untreated woods inserted for comparison. 
 We do not claim there are any antiseptic properties in 
 the crude oil, but we do believe that by stopping up 
 the open wood cells with a substance which solidifies 
 under ordinary temperature, we prevent heat, moist- 
 ure and air from getting into the wood and thereby 
 affording an opportunity for the decay-producing 
 organisms to begin work. This seems to be proven 
 in our case, and as a result of the test, borne out by 
 general experience on the divisions where oiling 
 has been done ; in the new treating plant we are pre- 
 paring to erect in New Mexico, the pine ties will 
 be treated with this same grade of crude oil forced 
 in under from 150 to 200 Ibs. pressure at a temper- 
 ature of 180 degrees F. We will probably introduce 
 the oil under vacuum, and at the end apply a low 
 vacuum before drawing the ties out of the cylinder, 
 in order that the drip may have a show. By this way 
 the ties are reasonably clean and easily handled after 
 treatment. I am also arranging to. put in a lot more 
 in the Texas Experimental track, and sending some 
 to the Tampicp Branch of the Mexican Central. 
 
 I give herewith a list of the untreated woods which 
 were laid in the track alongside of these oil treated 
 ties in the early spring of 1902, the oil ties being all 
 in first class condition at last inspection (four years 
 and ten months after they were laid), while the un- 
 treated ones laid at the same time and all inspected 
 together show up as follows: 
 
 196 White Oak Ties. 41 show decay, 3 others 
 have fungus on, balance in good condition. 
 
 24 Black Oak Ties. 22 removed 4 years after lay- 
 ing, rotten; 2 still in track, but both show decay. 
 
 20 Willow Oak Ties. 15 removed 3 years after 
 treatment, rotten; of the 5 still in track, i shows 
 decay, 4 are in good condition. 
 
 323 
 
20 Spanish Oak Ties. 4 removed 3 years after 
 laying, rotten; of the 16 in track, 7 show decay 
 with heavy fungus growth on, the rest in fair con- 
 dition. 
 
 20 Yellow Butt Oak Ties. 18 removed 4*/2 years 
 after laying, rotten; 2 in track in good condition. 
 
 91 Red Oak Ties.=82 removed 3 years after lay- 
 ing, rotten; of the 9 still in track, 7 show decay, 2 
 in good condition. 
 
 49 Tamarack Ties. All removed 2 years and 9 
 months after laying, rotten. 
 
 100 Loblolly Pine Ties. All removed 2 years after 
 laying, rotten. 
 
 93 Longleaf Pine Ties. 85 removed 2$ years after 
 laying, rotten; 8 still in track, of which 7 show de- 
 cay, arid i in good condition. 
 
 100 Shortleaf Pine Ties. 95 taken up 4^ years 
 after laying, rotten ; the I in track shows decay. 
 
 ipi Hemlock Ties. All removed 2^ years after 
 laying, rotten. 
 
 100 Beech Ties. All removed rotten. 
 
 (Signed) E. O. FAULKNER^ 
 Manager Tie & Timber Dep't. 
 
 824 
 
TREATMENT OF PAVING BLOCKS 
 
 As is well known, creosote as a preservative of 
 paving blocks not only increases the life of the 
 wood but also increases its wear under traffic. The 
 addition of a heavier oil or a large percentage of 
 asphaltum added, gives still better results. The 
 asphaltum combines with the oil readily and be- 
 comes sufficiently fluid to secure quite complete 
 penetration filling the grain of the wood at the same 
 time increasing its solidity and resistance to the 
 penetration of storm water after laying. 
 
 Blocks so treated, laid on a good concrete base 
 makes an ideal pavement, with less noise and jar 
 on the passing of vehicles. 
 
 When we compare the various kinds of pavement 
 with its quality for wear, utility and economy, the 
 tendency seems more and more toward the wood. 
 
 The primitive cobble stone and granite block we 
 have is undoubtedly the most lasting and most con- 
 venient, especially if it is often disturbed for reach- 
 ing subutilities such as water, gas, etc., as well as 
 affording footing for heavy dray service. 
 
 Next in order of utility is a good vitrified brick 
 equally favorable for foothold for draught animals, 
 less lasting but less noisy, the granite in this respect 
 being the most distracting of all, that of the noise 
 caused by the elevated loop being in no way com- 
 parable. 
 
 Next we have the asphalt laid on concrete footing 
 and no more lasting than the brick, but of such 
 character as to be absolutely unusable at some period 
 of the season. 
 
 It seems that a good wood block laid on concrete 
 base should be the ideal pavement, especially if im- 
 pregnated with Creosote or other good preservative 
 filler. 
 
 It would seem from our present knowledge that 
 such a block can be cheaply made, would eliminate 
 the noise, give good footing and be equally sanitary 
 with any other. 
 
THE USE OF S IRONS 
 
 We think it worth mentioning that the use of 
 S irons made of thin strips of metal prevents in- 
 cipient checking or splitting of any timber that is 
 liable to split badly during the drying process. 
 They consist of a rolled strip half inch or so wide 
 to be cut into lengths to grasp sufficient of the 
 wood on each side of the check. Some timbers will 
 split to an extent that renders a tie useless, notably 
 the hickory elm and some other timbers. These 
 should be applied when the check appears early. 
 
 A TYPICAL TREE 
 
 It is often convenient to have some knowledge of 
 the operation of nature in the production of the 
 tree, especially as to rate of growth in height and 
 volume of wood produced from year to year. Of 
 course each variety will vary so that it is desirable 
 and the only practical way to choose one somev/here 
 near the mean of useful timbers. We therefore 
 select one such for which we find a record of 
 growth each ten years, that of the Northern Yellow 
 Pine and secure a general analysis about as follows : 
 
 This table can be used to approximate closely to 
 the actual volume of a 25-foot telegraph pole, a 35- 
 foot pole, a so-foot pile or the body of the tree. 
 
 At "d" we have diameter 4.3 inches, at "f" we 
 have 9 inches and length of 25 feet. Now we add 
 the volumes in Col. "F" (excluding "d"), 6 = 6.48 
 cu. ft. and "f" = p.22. We have volume 15.7 cu. ft. 
 
 Similarly "d" to "' = we have a 38 ft. pole, 11.4" 
 at the butt and containing 28.2 cubic feet. 
 
 Similarly a pile 50 feet long, top "e" 6J^" dia. and 
 "i", 16" dia. at the large end ("i") we get 42.8 cu. ft. 
 This typical tree contains about 200 cubic or 2400 
 ft. B. M., but will not afford more than 60% of 
 this in merchantable lumber or 1450 ft. B. M. 
 
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WHAT WE HAVE DONE 
 
 1885. A. T. & S. F. RY., Las Vegas, N. M., Operated several 
 
 1887. UNi e oN S pACiFic R. R., Laramie, Wyo., Plans. 
 
 1897. T. T. & L. P. Co., Somerville, Texas, Plans, Super- 
 
 vision and Operation. 
 
 1898. SANTA FE PAC., Bellament, Ariz., Plans, Supervision 
 
 and Operation. 
 
 1898. C. & E. I. R. R., Mt. Vernon, 111., Plans revised for 
 
 O. Chanute. 
 
 1899. GREAT NORTHERN RY., Kalispell, Mont., Plans, Sup- 
 
 ervision and Installation. 
 
 1899. B. & M. R. RY., Edgemont, S. Dak., Plans, Supervi- 
 
 sion and Installation. 
 
 1900. H. C. SUGAR Co., Hawaii, Plans with full directions. 
 
 1900. MEX. CENT. R. R., Mexico, Consulting Eng'r. 
 
 1901. M. K. & T. RY., Greenville, Texas, Plans, Supervision 
 
 and Installation. 
 
 1901. ALAMOGORDA L. C., Alamogorda, N. M., Plans, Sup- 
 ervision and Installation. 
 
 1901. ROCKY MT. TIME. Co., Colo., Plans, Supervision and 
 
 Installation. 
 
 1902. AYER & LORD TIE Co., Carbondale, 111., Consulting 
 
 Eng'r. 
 1902. AYER & LORD TIE Co., Grenada, Miss., Consulting 
 
 kng'r. 
 
 1902. UNION PACIFIC, Portable Plant, Shop Inspection. 
 1902. O. R. & N. Co., Shop Inspection. 
 
 1902. A. T. & S. F., Plans and Specifications. 
 
 1903. D. & R. G., Alamosa, Colo., Plans, Specifications and 
 
 Installation. 
 
 1903. C. & N. W., Escanaba, Mich., Plans, Specifications 
 
 and Installation. 
 
 1904. CHIHUAHUA & PAC., Chihuahua, Mex., Plans, Speci- 
 
 fications and Installation. 
 
 1905. GRASSELLI CHEMICAL Co., Cleveland, Ohio, Labora. 
 
 tory Plant. 
 
 1905. I. C.,"Southport, La., Creosote, Storage, Plans, Speci- 
 fication and Installation 
 
 1905. U. S. LABORATORY PLANT, Washington, D. C., Plans. 
 
 1906. M. K. & T., Greenville, Texas, (Remodeling) Plans 
 
 and Specifications. 
 
 1906. GRAY TIE Co., Evansville, Ind., Plans, Specifications 
 and Installation. 
 
 1906. C. B. & Q., Galesburg, 111., Consulting Eng'r. 
 
 1907. K. C. T. & T. P. Co., Kansas City, Mo., Plans, Speci- 
 
 fications and Installation. 
 
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF TIMBER. 
 
 In the study of American timbers, especially with 
 reference to treatment, the author has deemed the 
 matter of sufficient importance to give attention to 
 the different phases from time to time as opportunity 
 offered. In the Absorption Tables heretofore pub- 
 lished, this study was devoted to the absorptive power 
 of various timbers as specimens could be obtained, as 
 in the operation of impregnation this property was of 
 first importance. 
 
 By an inspection of the Absorption Tables "A' J to 
 "I" and a comparison with amount of absorption 
 secured in the usual impregnations with a solution 
 like chloride of zinc, with a one or two hours exposure 
 under 100 pounds hydraulic pressure, it is found that 
 as much absorption was secured as would be taken 
 in thirty days by simply immersing in water. 
 
 By this means the operator is able to judge the 
 comparative character of any one of the woods. At 
 the time these tables were compiled, the other 
 properties and characteristics were also noted, such 
 as weight per cubic foot, etc. 
 
 At this writing, the accumulation of specimens of 
 timber became so numerous that a further effort to 
 enlarge this field of knowledge has been made, cover- 
 ing the strength under compression as a column and 
 in other conditions. These results are given in the 
 subsequent tables "J" to "O" with the former records 
 but covering almost all the wood specimens in reach. 
 
 In connection with these tests some further facts 
 are elicited, as to the manner in which timber fails 
 WHEN LOADED TO DESTRUCTION, and also 
 the relative crushing load, both for end pressure, 
 flatwise, and edgewise per square inch. 
 
 Plates Nos. I to VI, pages 331-336 are engravings of 
 representative pieces selected from over one thousand 
 test pieces that were tested in the 20,000 Ibs. Riele* 
 Press in the Chicago City Laboratory, during June and 
 July of this year, (1908). 
 
THE MANNER IN WHICH TIMBER FAILS 
 UNDER COMPRESSION. 
 
 The pieces were uniformly one inch square and 
 four inches long, cut with four inch axis as nearly as 
 possible parallel to the axis of the tree. 
 
 The types of failure are indicated in the tables by 
 initials. Thus, P. for Prime, etc. 
 
 For the purpose of showing more fully the physical 
 properties of the various woods tested, this series of 
 illustrations are submitted. 
 
 The following abbreviations are used in the tables 
 of tests J, K, L, M, N and O, to indicate the charac- 
 ter of failure in each case. 
 
 Plates No. I and II. (P.) Prime, with a tendency 
 to shear off on a plane of shear at a regular angle to 
 the axis of the piece. 
 
 Plate No. III. (P. S.) Prime Shattered, that of 
 straight grained wood but easily cloven during test. 
 
 Plate No. IV. (P. T.) Prime Tough, timber of 
 tough pliant fibre. 
 
 Plate No. V. (P. C.) Prime Crumpled, the same 
 as "P" except having been badly checked by high 
 pressure, or other cause for parting the fibre of the 
 timber. 
 
 Plate No. VI. (B) Broomed or Crushed. Number 
 - 8 2- has been crushed down to show more clearly the 
 effect on the fibers of the wood. 
 
 This classification is intended to guide in the 
 study of the nature of timber fibre and should be re- 
 viewed carefully and given further careful study, as 
 the writer has so far been unable to do for want of 
 time and various other reasons. 
 
 It is desired that other investigators express them- 
 selves as regards the causes of the various phases of 
 the Phenomena. 
 
ADVANCE SHEET 
 
 OF 
 
 SUPPLEMENT 
 
 TO 
 
 "Preservation of Timber" 
 
 FOR 
 
 1909 EDITION 
 
COPYRIGHT 1908 
 
 BY 
 SAMUEL M. ROWE 
 
51 
 
 UNTREATED SO. TREATED 
 
 YELLOW PINE PRIME (P.) HARD MAPLE 
 
 PLATE I 331 
 
3L 
 
 5 
 
 PLATE II 
 
 PRIME (P.) 
 332 
 
104L 104L 
 
 8 9 
 
 MEXICAN PINE, UNTREATED 
 PRIME SHATTERED (P. S.) 
 
 PLATE III 333 
 
HARD MAPLE 
 
 UNTREATED. 
 
 PRIME TOUGH, (P. T.) 
 
 PLATE IV 334 
 
 ISA 
 
 1 
 
 HICKORY 
 UNTREATED, 
 PRIME SHATTERED, (P. S.) 
 
38 _69_ 
 
 1 2 
 
 HARD MAPLE IMP. 500 HARD MAPLE IMP. 500 
 
 PRIME CRUMPLED (C) 
 
 PLATE V 335 
 
33 _33^ 
 
 1 2 
 
 SOUTHERN YELLOW PINE PAVING BLOCK 
 
 BROOMED (B) 
 PLATE VI 336 
 
TABLES OF ABSORBENT PROPERTIES 
 OF TIMBER. 
 
 On page 147 "Preservation of Timber" and pages 
 following; Tables A, B, C, D and E, page 181, are 
 given as a record of observation on the character, 
 weight, etc. of timbers obtainable up to January, 1904. 
 Herewith are submitted a series of tables, being a 
 record of timbers more recently examined, giving such 
 further facts as have been gathered, with a view of 
 continuing the record for use in the future. 
 
 The compressive strength with a view of compari- 
 son between the various timbers is added, as well as 
 some experiments bearing on the amount of solution 
 or oil taken up during treatment, effect of over-press- 
 ure, the effect of time and exposure at various times 
 during the life of timber in service, etc. 
 
 Table "F" is results of Zinc-Creosote Process on 
 various Oaks and other timbers which fully explains 
 itself. The absorption was taken after treating and 
 thoroughly drying the blocks before immersing them 
 in water. 
 
 Table "G" is experiments on Run No. 3 where Tar 
 Residium was used instead of Creosote. Weight of 
 timber was taken before treating and again after 
 treating and well drying. 
 
 Lower part of table is Hard Maple and Red Oak, 
 treated or untreated as indicated. 
 
 Table "H" gives a special test on White Oak Ties, 
 15 years in service. Nos. 1 to 8 being White Oak 
 laid in sandy soil and surface rotted, and Nos. 9 to 16 
 being ties 15 years in service laid in moist ground. A 
 little figuring will indicate that the loss to the timber 
 was about in proportion to the amount of wood en- 
 tirely rotted away, leaving the sound timber almost 
 as good as new. 
 
 Table "I" is absorbent properties of various speci- 
 mens tested as explained on the right hand of the 
 table. 
 
 387 
 
Table "J" commences the series of Ultimate Crush- 
 ing Loads. The numbers in the left hand column 
 refer to the corresponding numbers in Tables "A" to 
 "E" inclusive. Same is true of Tables "J" to "O." 
 
 Tables "K" Nos. 1, 7, 9 and 10 are the White Oak 
 Ties 15 years in service on the South Chicago City 
 R. R. as shown in Table "H" 5,200 Ibs. the ultimate 
 crushing load per square inch as against 6,900 pounds 
 per square inch for new White Oak. 
 
 Table "L" No. XIX, Table "1" is untreated pine 15 
 years in track and 12 years in concrete where it shows 
 almost the original strength, 4,200 pounds per square 
 inch and also the strength of the Michigan White Pine 
 treated in 1885, part of the Isleta bridge, carrying 
 near 4,600 pounds per square inch. See also Nos. 102 
 to 108, various Mexican Pines. 
 
 Table "M" explains itself. 
 
 Table "N" and "O", effect of over-pressure on the 
 timber fibre. When the treatment of ties by the Well- 
 house process in 1885 was commenced, the rule was 
 laid down that no more than one hundred pounds of 
 pressure per square inch should be allowed on the 
 charge while iri contact with the solution. This was 
 accepted on the authority of Mr. Wellhouse, Mr. Jos. 
 P. Card and Mr. Chanute and has been the practice 
 with most, using either the Zinc-Tannin or the Bur- 
 nett process with slight allowable deviation since that 
 time. This was derived from past experience and 
 was accepted as being correct and the general opinion 
 among people doing this kind of work that a pressure 
 much above this would part the timber fibre. 
 
 The writer in making some experiments on the 
 possibility of impregnating wooden paving blocks 
 with melted asphalt in combination with creosote oil, 
 found it impossible to make it reach all parts of a 
 four inch block unless a much higher pressure and a 
 high degree of heat was used. In some cases where 
 300 pounds was applied, the grip of the hand would 
 cause the oil to protrude at the end of the surface of 
 the block long after removal from the retort. 
 
Recently, however, this idea that the higher press- 
 ure does so injure the timber has been emphatically 
 denied and the practice among "Creosoters" is to use 
 twice that pressure or more. With a view to aid in 
 correct determination of the question, the writer has 
 gone to some trouble to gather information on the 
 subject. Table "O" given herewith, gives the various 
 timbers and Plate No. VI, page 348, etc. gives the 
 manner in which the timber fails in each case. A 
 study of the result, it is hoped, will speak for itself. 
 
 Pressure used in the case of No. 33 is understood to 
 be 180 pounds, those of the others are given in Table 
 "N". Part of the information in list "O" was lost, 
 may be recovered later. 
 
 Table "P" is a record of experiments with Hard 
 Maple blocks with reference to impregnating them 
 with Creosote in Run No. 1, and a mixture of Creosote 
 and Asphalt in Run No. 2, giving computations of 
 results. 
 
 Table "Q", Run No. 3 and 4, a record of treatment 
 with Creosote, the blocks being unseasoned. 
 
 Table "R", record of treatment of various timbers 
 by the Zinc-Creosote process. 
 
 Table "S", Philippine Island woods. 
 
 Table "T", is a computation of results in impreg- 
 nating Mexican timbers, both in Metric and American 
 terms. Note the effect of varying time steamed and 
 hydraulic pressure used. 
 
 The experiments here recorded required years to 
 compile and hold much that require much more 
 study and elaboration to exhaust the mass of informa- 
 tion herein comprised. 
 
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Department of tne Interior 
 BUREAU OF FORESTRY 
 Mrector. MANILA. April 14 . 19O8. 
 
 M. Howie, 
 owe & Rowe, 
 Room #364 Monadnock Bldg. 
 
 Chicago, 111. 
 
 compliance with the request of Mr. V. B. Toland, Vice 
 f the Philippine Railroad Co. of this city, 1 have the 
 ate that there have been forwarded to you under separate 
 es of the foUovsing publications of t ni 3 Bureau: 
 , 4, and 7. Also two packages containing samples of 
 moat important ?nilV>>pine Woods, as per the following l\%t: 
 
 Ipil Molavf Yacal (2) Dunson Guijo 
 Supa Agoho Amuguis Apatong Panao 
 Tansuile Balacat Uauan Batete Tindalo 
 Al^non 
 hese, Tangui\e> Apitong, "Panoa, Lauan and Aimon are suffic- 
 idant to export in large quantities. Apiton%, Pdnao, an<i 
 .re stronger woods than Lauati and A!TOTI. s\ ^ 
 
 Very respectfully, /^*~~/ Is 
 
 ecretary of the lt.rtor. UJ^C^I f f ^M^L 
 M-X,.*. DireXtor of Forestry, 
 piani lot* / | 
 
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 854 
 
RECORD OF RESULTS OF CHEMICAL 
 TREATMENT OF TIES * 
 
 BY SAMUEL M. ROWE. 
 
 April 1 5th, 1908. One of the most carefully made 
 and most complete records that it has been possible 
 to secure of an almost continuous record of a large 
 quantity of treated railroad ties is given below. The 
 example is based upon the ties treated by the zinc 
 tannin process in 1885 at the Las Vegas treating 
 plant of Santa Fe Railway Co., and laid the same 
 year mostly on the New Mexico divisions. The com- 
 putation is more particularly confined to this one 
 year because this lot should now be necessarily quite 
 exhausted at 22 years. 
 
 The number of ties treated in 1885, was 111,503, 
 about one-third pound of pure zinc chloride, being 
 used, i-io Ib. of glue mixed with the zinc chloride 
 and ij^ per cent strong, applied first and about 
 the same amount of tannin extract made into a 
 Vz per cent strong water solution applied after 
 the chloride and glue solution was withdrawn, in ac- 
 cordance with the well defined zinc tannin process 
 then known as the Wellhouse treatment. 
 
 The record of removals was neglected until about 
 1897 at which time the record of these removals was 
 commenced and from that time carefully kept up to 
 and including 1907. At the close of 1907 the record 
 shows that out of the 111,500 ties about 77,ooo, in- 
 cluding 1,300 removed last year (1907), twenty-one 
 years after being put in track and leaving 34,500 
 ties in round numbers to show for the removals of 
 the earlier years when no record was kept. A com- 
 putation of these unrecorded ties that failed to be 
 recorded was estimated at about 36,000, indicated that 
 the number was a trifle over-estimated a little, being 
 
 *Report made to the Committee on Ties and on Wood Pre- 
 serving A. R. E. and M. of W. April isth to 3oth, 1908. 
 
 855 
 
based upon the rate of failure for those treated in 
 subsequent years. Beyond the lack of the record 
 for the earlier years, this record is remarkable. 
 
 Some small sources of possible error exist on 
 account of the light stamp then used by which a 
 small number became illegible and from the prob- 
 ability of there being still a few not yet removed as 
 over one per cent in 1907. The further source of 
 premature renewals too, will cut some figure on ac- 
 count of the almost entire ballasting of the line on 
 which these 1,885 ties were laid during the last six 
 years. 
 
 356 
 
RECORD OF REMOVAL OF ZINC TANNIN 
 
 TREATED TIES ON THE NEW MEXICO 
 
 & COLORADO DIVISIONS. 
 
 Treated in 1885 at Las Vegas, New Mexico. 
 
 1885 No. Rem'r Av. yrs. ser. 
 
 1 year 1886 n n 
 
 2 years 1887 34 68 
 
 3 years 1888 67 201 
 
 4 years 1889 261 1,044 
 
 5 years 1890 564 2,730 
 
 6 years 1891 1,655 993o 
 
 7 years 1892 2,595 18,165 
 
 8 years 1893 4,432 35,4^4 
 
 9 years 1894 5,658 50,922 
 
 10 years 1895 6,615 86,1 50 
 
 11 years 1896 7,547 83,017 
 
 12 years 1897 13,55* 162,612 
 
 13 years 1898 15,745 204,585 
 
 14 years 1899 11,484 160,776 
 
 15 years 1900 8,440 126,600 
 
 16 years 1901 4,472 71,662 
 
 17 years 1902 5,878 4M46 
 
 18 years 1903 3,278 59,004 
 
 19 years 1904 4,695 89,205 
 
 20 years 1905 4*633 92,660 
 
 21 years 1906 3,046 63,966 
 
 22 years 1907 1.300 28,600 
 
 23 years 1908 
 
 24 years 1909 
 
 105,934 1,388,508 
 Av. 13.11 years 
 
 The foregoing statement is made up from and in- 
 cluding all the records that have been kept by the A. 
 T. & S. F. Ry. Co. at a great expense and comes as 
 near a thoroughly reliable record as is possible on 
 such an extended scale, as a member of the tie com- 
 mittee of your association the writer has been labor- 
 ing to secure the adoption of a single plan by which 
 
 357 
 
the same end can be secured with a necessary degree 
 of accuracy and at the least expenditure of time 
 and labor. By means of the plan outlined, and in the 
 form herein proposed to be confined to a limited 
 section of track at a sufficient number of represent- 
 ative points. 
 
 The statement herein, it must be remembered, is 
 the result of the record of one lot of 111,503 ties 
 treated at Las Vegas, New Mexico under the direc- 
 tion of Joseph P. Card, Mr. Wellhouse, the patentee 
 of the Wellhouse or zinc-tannin process and of 
 Octave Chanute, a pioneer in this business, to whom 
 should be credited the results attained. I do not 
 take this credit to myself as my knowledge at that 
 time was obtained direct from these gentlemen, 
 whose directions were carried out faithfully as pos- 
 sible. 
 
 It may be said in passing, that the rules then laid 
 down were based upon many previous years of ex- 
 perience, and subsequent experience indicates that 
 these rules have proven to be based upon well de- 
 termined facts which are as true today as they were 
 then. 
 
 While this statement indicates a life of 13.11 
 years, it might have been still better if more care had 
 been exercised in selecting the ties to be treated. 
 Many thousands of the ties treated that year had pro- 
 gressed so far towards decay that the treatment 
 could do but little good and the absorption of 
 chemicals was excessive. 
 
 This sketch seems very eccentric in its angularity 
 but the matter of faithful record is so important 
 that we cannot afford to give it otherwise, although 
 we know that the laws of nature act very different 
 from that governing the road force. We must 
 have true knowledge and an accumulation of a series 
 of facts before we can convince those most in- 
 terested, but not conversant with the matter, before 
 the business will be saved from those interested 
 is promoting new patents or new interests, or those 
 
who will not accept anything except what accords 
 with their own theories or interests. An arrogant 
 assertion, if well pressed, will often obscure what 
 is known to be sound facts and well established. 
 
 When these mountain pine ties were treated, the 
 fact was already established that the chloride of 
 zinc was one of the very best agents for the preser- 
 vation of woods. It was known that steam was the 
 most effective agent for securing impregnation; it 
 was known that steam at high pressure would scorch 
 the timber fiber, but that at 250 deg. Fahr., the fiber 
 would not be materially injured; it was known that 
 too high pressure would injure the wood by parting 
 the fiber, but that it would bear 100 Ibs. pressure 
 of the sq. in. during impregnation, etc., etc. All 
 these are as true today as th.en. 
 
 The claim is now made that creosote is the only 
 agent of value. It is not denied, indeed it is well 
 known, that creosote where it is possible to well im- 
 pregnate the timber, gives the highest known results. 
 There is, however, another well known fact that 
 should not be lost sight of, to wit that full impregna- 
 tion costs beyond what the railroads can afford; and 
 again, that a very minor portion of the timber which 
 should be treated can, by any known process, be im- 
 pregnated with creosote, except perhaps in the shape 
 of paving blocks or short lengths of timber which 
 can be reached from the ends. 
 
 The new methods being industriously promoted; 
 that of partial impregnation, is of more than doubt- 
 ful value, and it would seem unwise to spend large 
 sums of money in expensive works and in so treat- 
 ing railroad ties ; not having the evidence of the 
 value of the treatment. 
 
 All these were recognized as facts by the man 
 who directed the treatment of these ties twenty-three 
 years ago, and they are just as true today as then. 
 
 The additional fact we now have is that those pine 
 ties with only an average life of four or five years, 
 untreated have been given a life of over thirteen 
 
 359 
 
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 GRAPHIC SKETCH 
 
 TREATED TIE*. 
 111,503 TIES TREATED AND UAO ON THE N.M.DlVS 
 OF THE A.T.&S.F.R.R.ATLx)*VtAS IN I0fi5. 
 
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 6HOIMIN6 RATE OF REMOVAL OF ZINC-TANNIN 
 TREATED TIE*. 
 
 iets rra 
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 361 
 
years, or three times that of the untreated. At that 
 time, (1885), there were in evidence ties that had 
 been treated and in track seventeen years and were 
 still sound. 
 
 In accumulating these records, careful, honest 
 treatment, both of the subject and on the part of the 
 operator in carrying out this policy will secure de- 
 sired results, and conduce more to good works and 
 good results throughout. 
 
 Chicago, April 15, 1908. 
 
 April 28, 1908. I transmit a diagram of results of 
 the Zinc-Tannin Treated Ties, treated at the Las 
 Vegas Plant in 1885, and also a consolidated diagram 
 of the 1885 to 1889 inclusive. The account is not 
 yet complete, so that some modifications can be made 
 later. 
 
 I submit this now for several reasons, first; be- 
 cause this data has been obtained at much cost of time 
 and expense by the Santa Fe officials, and although 
 incomplete, are probably the most ^ extensive and 
 valuable records ever rendered in this or any other 
 country, up to this time, and will become more and 
 more valuable as time passes. 
 
 The most cogent reason, however, at this time, is 
 to still further impress on the association the im- 
 portance of impressing the urgency of some well 
 devised method of securing a more comprehensive 
 and more easily applied method to secure reliable 
 data. This is necessary to block the operation of 
 some who are promoting and practicing new or here- 
 tofore untried methods, probably of little value, to 
 result in loss and disappointment to the railroad peo- 
 ple represented by the Association. Further facts 
 will be given as secured. 
 
 April 28, 1908. 
 
 April 30, 1908. In submitting these estimates of 
 mean life of railroad cross ties deduced from the 
 records furnished by the timber department of the 
 A. T. & S. F. R. R. Co., we are able to enter some- 
 what into the realm of fact. It will, however, be 
 
 862 
 
years yet before the whole benefit will be reached. 
 There is, however, now enough to place beyond 
 doubt the benefit derived from the chloride of zinc 
 treatment and to prove that under many adverse con- 
 ditions the life of ties is three times that of the same 
 kinds of timber untreated. It is proper to now assume 
 that prolongation carries the life of the tie beyond the 
 life of any sound timber under mechanical wear. This 
 being the case, where is the sense of resorting to un- 
 proved methods costing twice or three times as much ? 
 
 The value of experience, versus theory, is well 
 illustrated. A few years since this chloride of zinc 
 treatment was pronounced a failure and "a waste of 
 money," the dead oil of coal tar being pronounced the 
 only resort. 
 
 It is not denied that the creosote is an excellent 
 agent, but it was long since found too expensive to be 
 economical for treatment of railroad ties. That a 
 small amount of creosote can be used in connection 
 with the chloride of zinc to some good purpose, 
 seems probable, but alone; no, in most cases unless 
 the timber be rotted. 
 
 The ties in this case of the A. T. & S. F. suffered 
 much from the partial decay as from the actual 
 knowledge of the writer, quite a per cent of those 
 treated were overseasoned and beyond the time that 
 the chemicals would be any benefit. Probably those 
 coming out previous to the eighth year would be 
 those referred to. The writer will have something to 
 say in regard to this question of "SEASONING" 
 before treating. 
 
 Referring back to the sketch of results on five 
 years, 1885-1889, dated April 27, 1908, which gives 
 12.45 years, mean life up to 18^ years, and 33 per 
 cent still in; should these ties last &/* years; the 
 mean life would reach 15 3-10 years. The 1885 ties, 
 nearly all our would as corrected be 1^/4 years. 
 
 Sketch of April 29, 1908, covering two groups, 
 1890-1893, covering years when many ties were 
 treated by the Burnett process, shows mean life of 
 
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 V3A HDV3 03AOW3B J.N3D a3d 
 
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 364 
 
lo.g years, at the I5th year, and 14 per cent still in, 
 and the Wellhouse (Zinc-Tannin) treated ties gives 
 at nth year, a mean life of 10.9 years, with 60 per 
 cent still in. These figures are hastily made and 
 are held open to corrections, but it is apprehended 
 that later estimates will hardly break the force of 
 these deductions. 
 
 The A. T. & S. F. Co., certainly deserve great 
 credit for thus securing a very faithful and valuable 
 record. 
 
 "Wanted" An authentic record for creosote or 
 other vaunted processes. The writer has been urging 
 the adoption of a well devised method of securing 
 such records for several years back and hopes that 
 it will be taken up and acted upon. In this con- 
 nection would urge the stamp marking of the ties 
 when being treated, even should other marking be 
 used when the ties are laid. A sample of stamped 
 figures will be offered at the committee meeting, 6th 
 proximo. 
 
 Chicago, April 30, 1908. 
 
 PROPER METHODS OF TREATING TIMBER* 
 
 Sir: One necessity in the conservation of our 
 timber resources is that of economizing in the use of 
 railway ties, which now form one of the largest de- 
 mands on the timber supplies. In the earlier days 
 when timber was plenty or easily obtained, little at- 
 tention was given to the matter, but when the rail- 
 ways had exhausted the local supplies of good timber 
 they had to transport ties for long distances and to 
 use less durable timbers. The necessity of economy 
 in the supply and use of ties then became imminent 
 and had to be met. This point was reached in this 
 country about 25 years ago, and possibly at an earlier 
 period in the old countries. 
 
 Previous to 25 or 30 years ago, however, the mat- 
 ter of timber treatment was studied in a desultory 
 way, mainly by individual effort in the line of econ- 
 
 365 
 
omy and not so much as a necessity. At the pres- 
 ent time the necessity has become pressing, and at- 
 tention is being given to the use of steel and various 
 other substitutes. The possibility of a satisfactory 
 substitute seems remote, however, as yet. This be- 
 ing the situation, it seems of the utmost importance 
 that the very best methods of timber preservation 
 should be found and that the experiences of the 
 past should be heeded. No method built upon theory 
 alone can be evolved. In the first place, those agents 
 that will preserve wood from decay must be as- 
 certained, and in the second place, the best methods 
 of application must be sought. 
 
 At the time that the writer first came into contact 
 with this subject in the line of duty there were but 
 few agents that seemed to be recognized as effective. 
 Among these were the dead-oil of coal tar (creosote) 
 and chloride of zinc. Both of these still stand ahead 
 of all others. 
 
 The value and economy of the former is conceded 
 for special purposes, such as resistance to marine 
 borers, or where prolonged life is sufficiently import- 
 ant to justify the expense of full treatment. But for 
 railway ties, the cost is too great, and is not justified 
 in view of the better results that may be (and are 
 being) obtained from the much cheaper chloride 
 treatment. In relation to partial treatment with 
 creosote, past experiences are not encouraging. 
 
 The method of the application of the agent to be 
 considered, covers the physical laws governing the 
 various parts of the operation, and also the physical 
 character of the woods to be operated upon. The 
 writer, with aid from others, has endeavored to cover 
 this ground, deducing his knowledge from experience 
 and careful study, and from oft-repeated experiments. 
 These investigations, studies and experiences have 
 extended through a series of nearly 25 years in this 
 country, supplementing that of some of the soundest 
 and most successful timber treating experts in the 
 country. It is claimed that European countries are 
 far in advance of this country in this matter, but the 
 
 366 
 
writer has doubts of this. Very little information as 
 to details such as the practical operator must possess 
 have been offered from foreign sources. 
 
 It is satisfactory to be able to say that some defi- 
 nite results have been obtained by a cheap and 
 simple method with the use of chloride of zinc- 
 modified by the use of glue and tannin as a retardant 
 (the Wellhouse process). By this process and by 
 others not so well defined, the poorer and less valu- 
 able timbers have proved very lasting. If the screw 
 spike was used instead of the old-fashioned spike, 
 the mechanical destruction of the tie would be 
 checked and the life still further prolonged. 
 
 The agitation and present effort now being made 
 in regard to the collection of reliable data it is hoped 
 will add to the data now possessed. Too often, 
 claims of results that are misleading have come from 
 interested promoters. 
 
 Now that the results of timber treatment are be- 
 coming known and the value of the treatment of 
 ties has been demonstrated, there is a general move- 
 ment among the railways to resort to such treatment, 
 largely from necessity. This is duetto the growing 
 scarcity of tie timber, and the increasing cost. There 
 is also a desire to aid in the conservation of the 
 forests by the resort to the substitution of softer 
 timbers, which are not adaptable for use as ties unless 
 treated. Recently, under the inviting prospects in 
 this timber-treating business, certain new processes 
 have appeared and new methods have been formu- 
 lated, under new and plausible theories that seem to 
 have appealed to a certain extent to the railways. 
 The main reason given for these processes is the 
 alleged failure of anything of value having been put 
 into practice in this country. According to these 
 new authorities, everything heretofore offered and 
 practiced may as well be "rubbed out." It is a severe 
 thing to say that this new influence and teaching has 
 
 867 
 
the appearance of arising from a desire to invade 
 this promising field for commercial interests alone. 
 
 In the first place, the new methods are offered on 
 faith and on untried theory. They are without the 
 "test of time," and are in the face of many failures 
 in cases equally plausible. Some of the claims seem 
 to require a reversal or at least a modification of 
 natural laws. Others as noted above, throw dis- 
 credit upon what has been done already in this conn- 
 try. With the present state of knowledge as to 
 methods of which we have long experience, it is 
 absurd to claim that an untried method shall negative 
 all our past practice and research. 
 
 The writer has given the matter much time in care- 
 ful investigation, and has spared no expense to get 
 at the facts, without aid from any outside source. 
 He cannot patiently accept the present situation, or 
 allow these unwarranted assumptions to go unchal- 
 lenged. The absurdity of the conclusions, and the 
 industry with which they have been pressed upon 
 the railway managers, while being made a source 
 of profit to the promoters, makes it important that 
 their nature be understood. To argue this would 
 be a labor almost in vain, unless railway officers and 
 managers make a greater effort to fully usderstand 
 the nature of the business before making an ex- 
 pensive contract such as is involved in a treating 
 plant and its operation. The railways should be 
 advised to build and operate their own plants, and 
 be able in this way to fully control their operations. 
 
 Samuel M. Rowe, M. Am. Soc. C. E. 
 364 Monadnock Block, Chicago, June 15, 1908. 
 *Engineering News, July 2, 1908. 
 
SHOULD THE RAILWAYS OPERATE THEIR 
 OWN TIE-PRESERVING PLANTS OR 
 HAVE THE WORK DONE BY 
 CONTRACT?* 
 
 Sir : Referring to the article written by Mr. S. 
 M. Rowe in your issue of July 2, entitled "Proper 
 Methods of Treating Timber:" 
 
 The Wellhouse process for the treating of timber 
 is being gradually dropped for the reason that the 
 extra cost is not justified by the increased life of the 
 material treated. Creosote oil is fast becoming rec- 
 ognized as the only efficient preservative for timber 
 treatment. It is true that zinc chloride, in some 
 localities, has been fairly successful, but to take 
 it as a whole it cannot be considered so. 
 
 I wish to draw special attention to Mr. Rowe's 
 remarks near the close of his article, wherein he 
 states that ^railways should be advised to build and 
 operate their own plants, and to be able in this way 
 to fully control their operations. 
 
 For many years I did timber treating work for 
 one of the largest railway systems in the United 
 States, and naturally T would not criticize their 
 methods of treating, or the manner in which they 
 operate their plants. I can say, howver, that leading 
 railway companies who have treating done by com- 
 mercial plants, are most rigid in their specifications, 
 requiring all material to be brought up to the stand- 
 ard of perfection before it will be accepted; but in 
 their own plants they cannot see the necessity of 
 employing thoroughly competent and experienced 
 men for operating, for the reason that they are 
 not willing to, pay the salaries that competent men 
 command. The result is that many railway com- 
 panies are building large and expensive wood-preserv- 
 ing plants and placing men in charge of them 
 who know absolutely nothing about the principles 
 of wood preservation. The consequence is that 
 
they are merely training up men, who, by the time 
 that they are in position to be of value to their own 
 company, are seized by large commercial concerns, 
 who recognize the necessity of having experienced 
 and competent men to operate their plants, in order 
 to fulfill the specifications in connection with the 
 treatment of railway and government material. 
 
 The result is that the railway companies waste 
 hundreds of thousands of dollars in the operation of 
 their plants by haying inexperienced and incompetent 
 men to handle their work for them. 
 
 Why then advise railway companies to build and 
 operate their own plants, when large commercial 
 concerns have been organized, combining experience 
 and capital, for the successful operation of their 
 plants ? 
 
 By having men in charge who have had years of 
 experience, most of them having been trained up 
 with railroad companies and who fully understand 
 the requirements for treating timber, it stands to 
 reason that large commercial concerns can treat 
 material much cheaper, and get out a far superior 
 product as a result of continuous operation. 
 
 Yours truly, F. D. Beal. 
 
 Eagle Harbor, Washington, July 10, 1908. 
 *Engineering News July 3Oth, 1908. 
 
 370 
 
Mr. Beal has the thanks of the writer for his cour- 
 teous criticism of the position taken in the article 
 referred to, but we still beg to demur to his conclu- 
 sions. 
 
 That the tendency is altogether to the use of 
 Creosote as the only effective preservative of cross- 
 ties, is both hasty and erroneous. Several are still 
 using the Chloride of Zinc and some of them are 
 making further use of this agent in connection with 
 a limited amount of Creosote oil with a good 
 promise of excellent results and furthermore we feel 
 quite sure of results both satisfactory and economi- 
 cal; we believe too, that some who abandoned the 
 Chloride treatment some little time since will find 
 that they made an expensive and ill considered mis- 
 take. 
 
 In relation to the position that a commercial treat- 
 ment can better be done, we beg to still adhere to 
 the position taken. 
 
 The kind of a man that a railroad company will 
 choose, is such as will faithfully conserve its inter- 
 est in faithfully performing his duties to the best of 
 his abilities and there is no reason that he shall not 
 be equally competent after proper training and ex- 
 perience. To a man placed by his company in such 
 a responsible position as this does usually feel 
 bound to by every incentive of honor to perform his 
 duties most faithfully and with his utmost ability. 
 Such a course, is of course in such a case, the readi- 
 est way to advance his own interest. On the other 
 hand the manager of a commercial plant has, no 
 matter what his abilities, the incentive constantly 
 before him to serve the interests of his employer. 
 
 In regard to Creosote as the only agent for the 
 treatment of railroad ties we, at the risk of reitera- 
 tion, will say: 
 
 In the past both in this country and in others a 
 much prolonged life has been secured by a plentiful 
 use of Creosote oil, presumably of about the quality 
 now being generally used in this country. (There 
 
 871 
 
being no definite information to the contrary.) This 
 oil is of such nature that perhaps the best knowledge 
 is obtained by fractional distillation such as any 
 novice can carry through and which will identify 
 variously constituted oils. Much has been written, 
 but little in the shape of definite knowledge has been 
 elicited as to the preservative value of the various 
 constituents, the main point gained being to settle 
 upon a uniform method of distillation by which oil 
 may be compared. In practice, however, there are 
 certain facts elicited that are properly to be consid- 
 ered in placing a true estimate on the value of 
 Creosote. Its value as an antiseptic taking it as a 
 whole, the good results must attest. The wood pre- 
 serving experts of the government should determine 
 the value of each component part as we have sug- 
 gested, (Preservation of Timber, Page 242-3), some 
 three years since but not yet done. 
 
 It is probably safe to say that most of the remark- 
 able results in treating ties and timber are secured 
 on soft open woods, or possibly on those consisting 
 largely of sap timber. Experience shows that Creo- 
 sote oil can by no known process of impregnation be 
 made to penetrate sound, well grown heart wood in 
 any case of the so called hard woods. The writer 
 has not seen a single case where a sound Red Oak 
 tie has been penetrated to the heart, while he has 
 seen many that after being over-seasoned to the 
 verge of decay or worm eaten as many are. 
 
 The fact remains that many of the woods, which, 
 if treated, would make the best and most valuable 
 ties will only take the Creosote superficially. 
 
 They are simply well blacked. 
 
 I would be pleased to refer Mr. Beal back to a 
 very able address Jan. i8th, 1905, at New Orleans, 
 made by him before The Wood Preservers' Associa- 
 tion. 
 
 372 
 
CHLORIDE OF ZINC AS AN AID IN 
 
 IMPREGNATING PILES WITH 
 
 CREOSOTE. 
 
 In Creosoting piles, especially the harder and more 
 valuable woods by the best known methods of the 
 present time, little more than a superficial impregna- 
 tion is secured even with the much increased press- 
 ure. In Marine work the thoughtless act of trimming 
 off a protruding knot will break the necessary con- 
 tinuity of the protection and let the teredo work its 
 mischief. There are three treating plants now operat- 
 ing, using the Zinc-Creosote process, each of which 
 are operated by as bright and able operator as is to 
 be found in this country and who all agree that the 
 Creosote oil is carried much farther into the wood 
 than it is possible to penetrate with the Creosote 
 alone. Observations on the output of several hun- 
 dred thousand ties per month are confirming this 
 fact, and the writer hopes to be able by the aid of 
 these operators to give a confirmation in the near 
 future. 
 
 The only necessary change in the treatment is to 
 increase the proportion of Creosote oil used. It is 
 easy to comprehend the importance of this to the 
 treatment of piles for all uses as the thorough impreg- 
 nation of the piles with the Zinc-Chloride with a more 
 extended penetration of the Creosote will mark an 
 area in the treating of Piles, Ties and Timber. 
 
 378 
 
FUNGUS CULTURE 
 
 PLAN FOR CULTURE ROOM 
 
 For ordinary amateur room, the most suitable 
 location is in a basement room with masonry walls 
 (or concrete) where the temperature will be meas- 
 urably equable winter or summer, or it may be par- 
 titioned off from a larger room with brick, terra- 
 cotta or concrete walls. An earthen floor or of concrete 
 which is better, will do. 
 
 A room 10 feet long and 8 feet wide will prob- 
 ably be sufficient in area, with a door two feet wide 
 and a small window closely fitted for the purpose 
 of observing a hygrometer set on inside of the win- 
 dow for directing the observer to control the degree 
 of moisture in the room. 
 
 The bins or benches will be best constructed of 
 reinforced concrete; should be made in the form of 
 a shallow trough and arranged on each side of the 
 room, the first or lower trough on the floor leaving 
 a clear walk through the middle of the room. The 
 second, not less than 16 inches above the lower one, 
 receding from the center walk, much as is done with 
 the benches in a florist's room. And so on to any 
 desired height, or which the height of the room al- 
 lows. 
 
 As the length is too great to support itself, two 
 or more supports may be placed on the shelves or 
 troughs. A small drain should be provided to carry 
 off any surplus water that may incidentally collect, 
 but should not allow the entrance of a draught of 
 air, as the less ventilation the better. Then quoting 
 from Prof. Perley Spaulding, Pathologist of the 
 Bureau of Plant Industry, Washington, D. C: 
 
 "It will be found after getting fairly started 
 that it is advisable to use comparatively small 
 test-blocks, so as to obtain results fairly rapidly. 
 The size of these test-blocks should, of course, 
 be uniform in a given experiment, and the 
 chances are that it would be much better if they 
 
 375 
 
 
were uniform in all experiments, so as to give 
 a basis for comparison between different ex- 
 periments. 
 
 "Ordinary soils may be used, but in order to 
 make the experiment of value, it should be thor- 
 oughly sterilized by steam or dry heat before 
 being placed in the compartments. Dry heat is 
 probably preferable, as under ordinary condi- 
 tions the sterilization will be more complete 
 when performed in this way. Having built your 
 compartments and placed the sterilized soil 
 therein, you are ready to obtain the fungi with 
 which to inoculate your test pieces. Of course, 
 the most accurate way of doing this would be 
 by growing pure culture of the different fungi 
 and placing them in the soil which is to be used. 
 Practically, however, and for the sake of quick 
 results, it is probably better to obtain a consid- 
 erable quantity of wood rotted by certain fungi 
 with which you wish to work; for instance, a 
 considerable portion of a railroad tie which has 
 been rotted by Latinus lepideus would make 
 a very good means for starting with that fungus. 
 It is, of course, necessary to pick such a timber as 
 has no other fungus growing visibly upon it, and 
 also one that is fairly well rotted by the fungus 
 wanted. 
 
 "Reasonable care in this respect will insure 
 practically pure culture; at least, there need be 
 little apprehension as to the obtaining of two 
 or more wood-rotting fungi in this way. 
 
 "A compartment one foot deep, 3 to 4 feet 
 wide, and two feet long will easily accommo- 
 date a series of a hundred or more test blocks, 
 2 to 3 inches wide, and 12 to 18 inches in length, 
 provided these are placed upright, which, in my 
 opinion, is the proper way of placing them. In 
 this way one has left above the soil several 
 inches of wood, upon which may be placed a 
 suitable label for distinguishing each block from 
 its fellows. (It is suggested that a 2x2 inch 
 
 876 
 
block, 12 inches long, would be the best dimen- 
 sions, as the concrete troughs will retain nearly 
 permanent moisture and that 6 or 8 inches of 
 earth would be enough. "R.") 
 
 "It is necessary to supply water about the 
 same as one would to an ordinary greenhouse 
 crop. It is also best to have fairly warm tem- 
 perature (not above 100 deg. Fahr. "R.") as 
 results will be obtained quicker than they will 
 if the temperature is cool. 
 
 "Too great expectations must not be placed 
 upon the rapidity with which rotting takes place 
 in such an experimental test-room, as even in 
 nature it takes a number of months for an ordi- 
 nary sized timber to rot, under the most favor- 
 able circumstances. The chances are that in 
 some respects your room will not give favorable 
 conditions in all particulars, and therefore the 
 action may be even a little slower than would 
 naturally occur out of doors. You may reason- 
 ably expect results from the ordinary wood-rot- 
 ting fungi in one year's time with the most 
 easily rotted woods. If the more durable woods 
 are to be tested, the results will be correspond- 
 ingly long in becoming evident. 
 
 "While water must be applied liberally, the 
 soil must not be allowed to become water- 
 soaked; it must^ be kept fairly moist, about as 
 one would do in raising an ordinary crop of 
 lettuce, or other small vegetables. This point 
 is one which must be watched with particular 
 care. 
 
 "Some fungi will do well with a large amount 
 of moisture, while others will do equally well 
 with very little. It will take some little knowl- 
 edge of the natural growth of the different fungi 
 to hit the correct degree of moisture and heat 
 to be used." 
 
 Both temperature and degree of moisture to be 
 used will be determined by trial, the water and heat 
 being convenient, the moisture for the air can be 
 
 377 
 
furnished by a slight jet of steam, which will fur- 
 nish this under the control of the operator the 
 hygrometer furnishes the indication or guide. There 
 should be no ventilation except what is unavoidable 
 by entering the door, the ceiling of the room to be 
 airtight. 
 
 FUNGUS CULTURE 
 PLAN OF CULTURE ROOM 
 
 , Jem. /* joi Scaltf-ift 
 
 
 END SECTIONS 
 
 FUNGUS CULTURE ROOM 
 
 The room should be well lighted for inspection by 
 electric lights turned on on entering, and one so 
 placed as to light the hygrometer whenever needed, 
 from the outside of the room, as well as a common 
 thermometer (Fahrenheit), to be placed by the side 
 of the hygrometer in the same light. 
 
 378 
 
The room should be heated by a small steam 
 heater as shown in plan of room, and a simple ar- 
 rangement by which warm water can be drawn as 
 needed, using a sprinkling pot to apply it to the 
 culture soil. 
 
 The water tank can be placed on a shelf and a 
 sufficient quantity at the same temperature as the 
 room. 
 
 HYGROMETER. 
 
 FOR FUNQUS COUTURE ROOM. 
 CKIADC OP POPLAR) 
 
 Wo-rc So* TO BC FIRMLY FAVrCNBO TOCTHC* IMIVM **. 
 INDICATOR TO WC %Ecunct.v GLUCO, MO tener**, TM*H onvssco 
 
 HYGROMETER 
 
 Accompanying the plan is a simple form of hy- 
 grometer that will answer every purpose. It is pre- 
 supposed that the room has permanent water and 
 steam, and electric light adjacent. 
 
 879 
 
If temporary boxes are used, the front flange of 
 the shelves can be reduced to minimum height. 
 The size of the whole lay-out can be reduced or 
 enlarged to suit the case in hand. "R." 
 
 Chicago, January 15, 1909. 
 
 ESTIMATES RELATING TO WOOD BLOCK PAVEMENT 
 
 Based upon three standards of blocks, four, five 
 and six inch. Using a block 4"x4"x8" there will be 
 required 4&5 blocks to the square yard, equal to 
 3.JS3 cubic feet of wood. 
 
 For 4 in. deep equal M. B. M., .036 at $20, equal $0.72, 
 requires 3 cu. ft. 
 
 For 5 in. deep equal M. B. M., .045 at $20, equal $0.90 
 requires 3.75 cu. ft. 
 
 For 6 in. deep equal M. B. M., .054 at $20, equal $1.08 
 requires 4.50 cu. ft. 
 
 BASE FOR WOOD BLOCK PAVEMENT 
 
 The* base for wood block pavement should be 
 made of the best quality of Portland cement con- 
 crete, properly made and laid, six inches deep; four 
 and a half cubic feet per square yard of pavement 
 will be required, equal to .17 cubic yard, at $5.00 
 per cubic yard, costing 85 cents. 
 
 COST OF TREATING WOOD BLOCKS 
 
 A fair net estimate for cost of treating the 
 best woods for paving blocks, giying sixteen pounds 
 of creosote per cubic foot of timber would be at 
 cost of oil put in, would be about one cent per pound 
 of creosote oil put in. Then, for the three classes, 
 the cost would be about as follows: 
 
 Four inch deep, 3. cu. ft. of wood, per cu. yd. 48c 
 Five " " 3.75 " " " " " " " 60c 
 Six " " 4.5 " " " " " " " 72c 
 
 380 
 

 This gives us a total cost per square yard of 
 paving as follows: 
 
 Depth 
 
 M.B.M. 
 
 Lumber 
 
 Cub. Ft. 
 Wood 
 
 Concrete 
 4.5 Yd. $5 
 
 Cost 
 Wood 
 
 Cost 
 Treated 
 
 Total 
 Cost 
 
 4 in. 
 
 .03* 
 
 3.00 
 
 $0.85 
 
 $0.72 
 
 $0.48 
 
 $2.05 
 
 5 in. 
 
 <*m 
 
 3.75 
 
 .85 
 
 .90 
 
 .60 
 
 2.35 
 
 6 in. 
 
 .054 
 
 4.50 
 
 .85 
 
 1.08 
 
 .72 
 
 2.65 
 
 In the estimate of 16 pounds per cubic foot treat- 
 ment is deemed ample for good blocks as the timber 
 that will take more is not deemed suitable for good 
 paving. 
 
 The six-inch depth of blocks is suitable for very 
 severe traffic and will perhaps not be over five per 
 cent of the paved area of any city, and perhaps 70 
 per cent of the requirements will be of the 4-inch, 
 leaving the remaining 20 per cent to the five-inch 
 on business streets. 
 
 The pavement here contemplated is intended to 
 be the best that the best material to be obtained 
 for the purpose, whether of wood blocks, concrete 
 or of creosoted wood to be suitable in its texture 
 and strength for wear under the conditions, but not 
 necessarily of high class merchantable timber, as 
 much good wood not so valuable will make good 
 paving. 
 
 The present practice of laying the concrete foun- 
 dation for the block pavement, asphalt, etc., is a 
 good one, and experience shows that even Portland 
 cement need not be specified (see results on Jackson 
 Boulevard, laid in 1895, where Utica natural cement 
 was used), as the value of all cements, even the 
 very best, depend largely upon the method of treat- 
 ment in laying. 
 
 In the preservative process, too, the way it is 
 done is equally important, but there is no question 
 that the true dead oil of coal tar (the genuine creo- 
 sote) is the most suitable, and if understandingly 
 applied, will give from fifty to one hundred per cent 
 more service than can be secured by some agents 
 and under some practices of today. 
 
 881 
 
Another requirement necessary to make a good 
 pavement is the free use of coal tar pitch in finish- 
 ing a new laid block pavement, with an accompany- 
 ing dressing of clean sand, the latter furnishing a 
 slight cushion over the concrete base and a surface 
 dressing while the pitch fills all seams and covers 
 the surface, the sand mingling with the pitch, gives 
 the surface to service at once. A barrel of pitch 
 should cover 20 square yards so that perhaps an 
 increase of cost of fifteen cents per square yard will 
 accrue. 
 
 It must be conceded that wood blocks must, to 
 get the best service, be set with the fiber vertical, 
 hence the blocks will be put four to six inches 
 lengthwise of the timber ducts, hence most hard 
 woods can be impregnated with creosote without 
 difficulty under one hundred pounds retort pres- 
 sure, with absolutely no injury to the blocks and 
 they go into use perfectly sound and with no ten- 
 dency to break across as in some cases where they 
 are expanded and prepared to check under slight 
 strain by having been exposed to undue pressure 
 during impregnation. 
 
 The timber now usually specified for wood blocks 
 at present is the Southern Yellow Pine, but it is 
 probable that there are several other woods that 
 will wear just as well, and possibly better, that will 
 be accepted in time, as the cost of this wood in- 
 creases in price and experiences show up their 
 suitability. 
 
 The demand for wood blocks has grown up very 
 recently and many are entering upon this industry 
 and a few suggestions may not be out of place as 
 to the general policy best adapted to carry out the 
 industry. 
 
 If the sawing and treating can be done in the 
 immediate location of a suitable supply of timber, 
 all can be best done in the one location, and if on 
 a line of navigation, the finished blocks can be 
 shipped in the hold in bulk. They can be dis- 
 charged directly to the vessel and again unloaded, 
 both by automatic carriers, easily erected. 
 

 Should the work be distant both from mills and 
 from water connection, then the lumber should be 
 cut to suitable dimensions to be cut into blocks at 
 the treating plant, discharging from the block saws 
 to the cages and thence to the cars that carry them 
 away. 
 
 In regard to the method used in impregnating the 
 blocks, much will depend upon this: A block four 
 inches wide and eight inches long should give the 
 best wear, a longer block being more likely to tilt 
 under a heavy load, which would tend to unseat it, 
 and a longer block would be likely to break it in 
 the middle, no matter how well set or supported it 
 may be. The value of blocks, however, will pri- 
 marily depend upon the selection of thoroughly 
 sound, well-grown wood and should not be subject 
 to any deleterious effects from an impregnating 
 process where excessive pressure has been applied. 
 However treated, not more than seventy-five to 
 one hundred pounds should be used on the retort 
 charge during impregnation. 
 
 SPECIFICATIONS FOR 
 
 CONCRETE FOUNDATION FOR WOOD BLOCK 
 PAVEMENT 
 
 Preparation of Street Surface: 
 
 Presupposing that the curb and gutter are in 
 place, the surface of the street should be graded to 
 the sub-base, with a bearing uniform in character, 
 well rolled. Then a concrete, as hereinafter speci- 
 fied, shall be made in the immediate vicinity so that 
 the concrete can be taken immediately from the 
 mixing board and be deposited in place, forming the 
 full depth, be it 5 or more inches in thickness, each 
 course against the face of that previously deposited, 
 care being taken that the full quantity shall be 
 sufficient after proper tamping to make the pre- 
 scribed thickness. If the concrete is machine made, 
 the methods of depositing by the individual shovel 
 load shall still be adhered to. In no case shall the 
 concrete be leveled with the shovel, but must be 
 leveled by the tamper. 
 
 383 
 
Concrete: 
 
 A good concrete is made for this purpose with a 
 proportion of one part cement, three parts sand and 
 six parts of crushed limestone or granite, the former 
 being good enough if rock is good, and all dust 
 sifting out with a one-quarter inch mesh sieve be 
 rejected. 
 
 Clean gravel and sand if in proper proportion 
 as to dimensions of the different components, may 
 be substituted for the crushed rock and sand. 
 The Kind of Cement: 
 
 If the concrete is mixed and handled as herein 
 specified, a good natural cement will make a good 
 concrete for this service. (See the work by the 
 South Park Commission on Jackson Boulevard from 
 Michigan Boulevard to the south branch, which was 
 made with Utica cement.) 
 Sand: 
 
 The sand to be used shall be what is usually 
 designated as "Torpedo sand," or more particularly 
 a sand in which the grades run from one-quarter 
 inch down in diminishing quantities as well as in size. 
 
 Dust or very fine sand to be rejected. 
 Crushed Rock: 
 
 Shall be what may be termed "crusher run," re- 
 jecting all that a one-quarter inch meshed screen 
 will take out. Good, clean gravel may be substi- 
 tuted if similarly graded as to size. 
 Amount of Water to be Used: 
 
 The water to be used should be the least as will 
 well wet the components so as to make the concrete 
 of such consistency as to slip off the shovel when 
 finally deposited and no more. 
 Method of Mixing: 
 
 If mixed by hand, the sand should be deposited 
 on a proper board, being followed by the amount of 
 dry cement and the mass turned over and over 
 until well mixed, then the crushed rock or gravel, 
 as the case may be, shall be spread over the bed, 
 the crushed rock being first well wetted, ami then 
 the whole mass turned over repeatedly until it has 
 become homogeneous and then deposited in place as 
 
 before described. 
 
 384 
 

 RECENT PAVING PRACTICE 
 
 By J. A. MOORE.* 
 
 During the season of 1908, approximately seventy- 
 two miles of pavements were laid in Chicago under 
 special assessment proceedings, at approximate cost of 
 $2,825,000. 
 
 The amount of various kinds of pavements laid is as 
 follows : 
 
 Asphalt 38 miles. 
 
 Brick 9 miles. 
 
 Granite block 6.5 miles. 
 
 Macadam 14 miles. 
 
 Creosoted blocks 4.5 miles. 
 
 Compared with recent years the amount of work done 
 was about seventy-five per cent, of the normal amount. 
 Several causes contributed to the decrease in the amount 
 of work done, among them being the financial depres- 
 sion, a strike which lasted about six weeks and which 
 finally resulted in the disruption of the "Pavers' Coun- 
 cil," a central organization embracing all the paving 
 trades ; delay on account of reconstruction of street 
 car tracks and inability on the part of contractors to 
 secure granite paving blocks. 
 
 The tendency of the times seems to be toward de- 
 creased use of the cheaper paving materials, such as 
 asphalt and macadam, and toward the increased use 
 of granite and creosoted wooden blocks. 
 
 The increasing use of motor driven vehicles has 
 demonstrated the unfitness of macadam to withstand 
 their wear. Instances can be cited where good macadam 
 streets have been practically destroyed in the course 
 of a couple of years where they happened to be so 
 located as to draw heavy automobile traffic. 
 
 Bituminous macadam, although approximately as 
 expensive as asphalt, will probably be the solution of the 
 automobile problem. 
 
 *The great and growing interest of the public in the subject of wood 
 block pavement would seem to justify the reproduction of Mr. 
 Moore's paper in full, abounding as it does in practical information. 
 
 
Asphalt seems to have passed its crest of popularity 
 as a paving material, although its use will probably 
 exceed that of all other materials combined for some 
 time to come. 
 
 Creosoted wooden block is attracting much attention 
 at present, largely on account of being comparatively 
 noiseless. Your modern businessman likes as little to 
 have his slumbers disturbed at four A. M. by the rounds 
 of the milkman as he does to have his attention dis- 
 tracted by the pounding of heavy loads over rough 
 granite blocks during business hours. It is probable 
 that the next few years will see a large number of the 
 down-town streets, as well as many of the outlying ones, 
 paved with this material. 
 
 Creosoted block pavements already laid are wearing 
 exceptionally well, and are generally giving good satis- 
 faction. "The South Park" board of commissioners has 
 recently adopted its use for intersections of car track 
 streets with boulevards, the railway companies doing 
 the paving in connection with the reconstruction of 
 their tracks. 
 
 During the past season the writer had charge of the 
 paving of Cottage Grove Ave. from Oakwood Boule- 
 vard to 51st Street, with creosoted blocks. The work 
 was done by the Parker- Washington Co. at $3.44 per 
 square yard; amount of pavement laid 32,268 square 
 yards, or approximately one and one half miles of road- 
 way. The blocks were treated at Norfolk, Va., by the 
 "United States" Wood Preserving Co. Long Leaf 
 Southern pine, impregnated with an average of 18.13 
 pounds of oil per cubic foot of timber was used. An 
 engineer was sent to the plant by the City to inspect the 
 treatment. The blocks, which were laid on a six inch 
 concrete foundation covered with a one inch sand 
 cushion, were four inches wide and four inches in depth, 
 and were laid diagonally across the roadway. Expan- 
 sion joints filled with coal tar were placed next to the 
 curbing and at intervals of 50 feet across the roadway. 
 The street has a car track on it. One side was com- 
 pleted before the other was torn up. The blocks were 
 driven and wedged together fairly tight. Fine sand 
 was used as a filler. Expansion of the blocks due to 
 

 the first rains squeezed practically all the tar out of 
 the joints, and considerable trouble has since been ex- 
 perienced by the blocks buckling during heavy rains. 
 The part of the street which is behaving badly in this 
 respect is confined to one side of the street for a space of 
 about four blocks. The reason why this part of the 
 street buckles and other parts do not is not apparent, 
 but is probably due to some different treatment of the 
 blocks. Sand is not the proper filler for creosoted 
 blocks, being too pervious and inelastic. An impervious 
 filler which will prevent any part but the exposed sur- 
 face of the blocks from becoming saturated with mois- 
 ture greatly lessens the liability of buckling. 
 
 The reconstruction of 109 miles of street railway 
 track (single track measurement) involving the lay- 
 ing of 470,000 square yards of granite block pavement 
 has been accomplished by the two principal street rail- 
 way companies during the past year. Fifty thousand 
 square yards of this was paved with old blocks which 
 were redressed. The railway companies absorbed 80 
 per cent, of the available supply of granite blocks, 
 rendering it necessary for the city to delay most of 
 its projected paving of this class to abater date. The 
 principal source of supply of the granite paving blocks 
 used in Chicago in the past has been the quarries of 
 central Wisconsin. These quarries were unable to sup- 
 ply half the blocks wanted last year, and other sources 
 of a supply, such as Sioux Falls, North Carolina and 
 Thousand Islands were drawn on for large quantities. 
 Somewhat similar conditions are in ^ prospect for the 
 coming year, the City probably having two or three 
 times as much granite block paving projected as it will 
 be able to secure. All the street railway paving was 
 done by the companies directly, by non-union labor. The 
 blocks were laid upon concrete foundations, in which 
 their tracks were embedded. 
 
 The Chicago City Railways Co. uses granite block 
 "brow" paving outside of its outer rails where the city 
 paves car track streets with other than granite. Two 
 rows of stretchers are laid along the outer rails, the 
 work being carried on concurrently with the city con- 
 tract. This form of brow paving stands up well where 
 
 
 387 
 
laid on good concrete foundation, and proves to be 
 quite satisfactory. Grooved rails are used exclusively 
 in track reconstruction. 
 
 The city has laid as yet no concrete pavements under 
 special assessment proceedings, although a considerable 
 amount of this pavement has recently been laid, largely 
 in alleys. As a whole it does not promise to wear well, 
 under medium to heavy traffic. Pavement in said alleys 
 laid in^the past year already shows marked wear. After 
 the ^ finishing surface is Broken through deterioration is 
 rapid. Repairs necessitate taking out the worn out 
 section from the bottom up. It has the advantage of 
 being smooth when not badly worn, is sanitary and 
 very easily cleaned and is comparatively cheap. It 
 will not rot, and, barring the effect of traffic, should be- 
 come stronger with age. Expansion joints filled with 
 some elastic material should be used in its construc- 
 tion. 
 
 Brick as paving material has been used rather more 
 extensively during the past season than for some time. 
 
 Grout filler for brick has been abandoned and tar or 
 asphaltic cement substituted on account of the difficul- 
 ties encountered in keeping traffic off of grout filled 
 pavements a sufficient length of time to allow it to 
 properly set. Grouting when well done, adds much to 
 the length of life of the pavement. Tar fillers are 
 too brittle in cold weather. Asphaltic cement, if prop- 
 erly tempered, will perhaps obviate the above objections. 
 As yet its use in Chicago is too recent to form an 
 opinion as to its merits. Fillers are, after all, not of 
 major importance in the construction of brick pavements. 
 The quality of the brick is the first essential. "POOR 
 BRICKS" has been the cause of discrediting brick pave- 
 ments in Chicago. Soft brick or brick that is brittle 
 will not stand the traffic to which it is subjected to in 
 this city. A fair sample of brick pavement is on south 
 Dearborn St. south of Jackson Boulevard. This pave- 
 ment, which was laid a repair job, necessitated by the 
 reconstruction of the street railway tracks, has been 
 laid less than three months. Apparently its length of 
 life will not be greater than two years. It is only fair 
 
to say that the brick in this pavement were rejected 
 by the city brick tester for new work. 
 
 A new form of wood pavement has attracted atten- 
 tion of late, has been used by the city to a considerable 
 extent for paving bridge floors and approaches, is known 
 as the Shuman pavement. It consists of strips of boards 
 bolted together in such manner that the edges form 
 a wear surface, and in sections two or three feet 
 sauare, or of such dimensions as may best fit the space 
 they are to occupy. The sections of pavement are 
 dipped into some bituminous liquid. A sample of this 
 pavement may be seen on Dearborn St. east of the 
 Federal Building. It wears somewhat unevenly and 
 does not promise to have a very great length of life. 
 Exclusive of foundation it costs about $2.50 per square 
 yard. It is probably better adapted to bridges for 
 bridge floors than for any other purpose, as it is light 
 and can be made any desired depth or size of section. 
 
 Paper read by Mr. J. A. Moore before the Illinois Society of Engi 
 neers and Surveyors, January 28, 1908. 
 
 Chicago city prices on finished pavement includ- 
 ing 6 inches of concrete but exclusive of curb and 
 gutter : 
 
 Asphalt $2.20 per square yard. 
 
 Granite 3.90 " 
 
 Brick 2.40 " 
 
 Creos. Blocks 3.50 " 
 
 Macadam 1.25 
 
 January 28, 1909. 
 
 389 
 
THE OPEN TANK METHOD OF PRESERVING TIMBER; 
 
 RESULTS OBTAINED WITH TIES AND 
 
 PAVING BLOCKS* 
 
 Sir: A recent issue of Engineering News [Oct. 22, 
 1908. Ed.] contains an article by Mr. Howard Weiss 
 of the Forest Service, on the open-tank method of pre- 
 serving timber. Mr. Weiss states that the Forest Ser- 
 vice will welcome all criticisms and suggestions tending 
 to advance the work. Therefore, I take the opportunity 
 of presenting a few facts pertaining to the results ob- 
 tained from ties and lumber treated by the open-tank 
 or Seely process, "as it is also known," which have 
 evidently been overlooked by Mr. Weiss. 
 
 The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R. R., in 1868, 
 laid 25,000 ties on the New Boston branch of their road, 
 treated by the open-tank or Seely process as an experi- 
 ment. These ties failed and were all removed in six 
 years. The failure was due to interior rot. The outer 
 portion to a depth of one-half to three-quarters of an 
 inch was apparently hard and sound whereas the inner 
 wood where the creosote oil had not penetrated had 
 completely failed. These ties caused the Burlington 
 considerable annoyance as, to outward appearances, they 
 were in a perfectly sound condition when it was dis- 
 covered that the interior was completely rotted. 
 
 At the time the Burlington Road made this experi- 
 ment, the open-tank or Seely process was new, and Mr. 
 Seely undoubtedly performed this work to the best of 
 his ability. 
 
 The process also failed on the Chicago, Rock Island 
 and Pacific Ry. in six years, from the same cause as on 
 the Burlington, and it also failed to preserve the pine 
 lumber used in the Government Works on the Saint 
 Clair Flats for a longer period than six years. 
 
 *This communication from Mr. Card is quoted here as an answer 
 to inquiries as to the value of the so-called "OPEN TANK" method 
 of treating ties and paving blocks. 
 
 The author would simply repeat what has often been asserted, 
 good railroad ties and perhaps any wood that will make a good pav- 
 ing block, would have to be well dried (rotted, using the word in a 
 qualified sense), before it could be well impregnated in this way 
 successfully. 
 
 390 
 
Paving blocks treated by the open-tank process have 
 produced good results in several places. In Cleve- 
 land, O., some were in use for about ten years. In the 
 City of Paris all paving blocks which are used under 
 heavy traffic are treated by soaking in open tanks of 
 hot oil. They fail from wear in about eight years, and 
 this treatment answers. The blocks used on the boule- 
 vards where the traffic is light are given a larger dose 
 of oil, in this case they are subjected to pressure in 
 closed cylinders. They last about 16 years. 
 
 The open-tank method of creosoting will undoubtedly 
 produce good results if it is confined to the treating of 
 blocks, shingles, posts, etc., or in other words small- 
 dimension lumber, and it will not be successful in this 
 case unless the utmost care is taken in the seasoning of 
 the lumber before treatment. As to the treatment of 
 railroad ties by this method, a loblolly-pine tie, pro- 
 vided it is thoroughly seasoned, would probably absorb 
 the greatest amount of solution in the least time, but 
 any other class of ties treated by the open-tank process 
 would take from two to three weeks to absorb the same 
 amount of solution that could be injected under 100 Ibs. 
 pressure per sq. in. in four hours time. 
 
 Undoubtedly the Seely process failed in the treatment 
 of large-dimensions lumber for the want of proper sea- 
 soning; and the length of time it would take to thor- 
 oughly saturate the wood was so great that the treat- 
 men was cut short and poor results followed. 
 
 The treatment of ties with small doses of creosote oil 
 has not been a success in this country or in Europe, the 
 Robbins process and also the Blyth process failed to 
 give results, and practically all the European coun- 
 tries which are using creosote have for a long time been 
 injecting from 10 to 15 Ibs. of oil per cu. ft. of wood, 
 and by so doing obtain a life of from 12 to 20 years. 
 
 It can be easily seen where a small dose oil treat- 
 ment will fail to give results, especially in treating a 
 class of timber like red and black oak and other in- 
 ferior oaks. This class of timber will rot from the 
 center out in almost all cases, and unless the treat- 
 ment is pushed to refusal "and this is expensive,"^ it 
 will fail to give as good results as chloride of zinc 
 391 
 
where V* Ib. of dry salts per cu. ft. is used. This can 
 be verified by the records obtainable in this country and 
 in Europe. 
 
 If the tendency in this country is to return to the 
 open-tank or Seely process, great care and judgment 
 should be used, otherwise the results will be a failure, 
 as heretofore. Yours truly, 
 
 J. B. Card, Manager, 
 
 Chicago Tie & Timber Preserving Co., Old Colony 
 Bldg., Chicago, 111., Oct. 26, 1908. 
 
 ON SEASONING TIMBER PREPARATORY 
 TO TREATING 
 
 The popular belief seems to be general that timbers 
 in the shape of railroad cross-ties, timber and piling 
 must be well seasoned before it can be impregnated 
 by any of the usual methods. The presumption is that 
 if it is "well seasoned" that it is dry, or at least that 
 it contains but a small amount of moisture and that 
 the natural saps have become exhausted of the watery 
 parts by evaporation. 
 
 It is the purpose here to call attention to a case 
 where four-inch sections were cut from apparently 
 well air-seasoned ties that had been piled much longer 
 than the conventional thirty to sixty days and from a 
 stock of ties that were being treated in the usual 
 course. 
 
 The appended table shows the condition of the 
 named woods after drying carefully for the purpose of 
 testing for compressive strength, the oven being used 
 and temperature below scorching. 
 
 No. 
 
 1 
 2 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 Name 
 
 Wt.Cub.Ft 
 when rec'd 
 Lbs. 
 
 Wt.Cub.Ft 
 when dried 
 Lbs. 
 
 Loss Per Ct 
 in weight 
 
 Loss Per Ct 
 n vol. 
 
 Chestnut . 
 Hackberry 
 Poplar . . 
 Willow . . 
 
 49.8 
 43.0 
 30.1 
 32.0 
 
 39.36 
 35.94 
 22.65 
 23.04 
 
 29.34 
 21.85 
 32.81 
 47.37 
 
 18.32 
 35.52 
 27.49 
 38.35 
 
 Mean per cent of water, taking the mean, 32.84 29.92 
 392 
 
The theoretic and somewhat academic rules so elab- 
 orately put out for drying or air seasoning, contem- 
 plates many expensive operations that could be avoided 
 if ties were taken from the woods and immediately 
 treated and put out on the line where needed. Elaborate 
 and expensive storage yards, several rehandlings of the 
 ties, a year's loss of life of the ties and of money 
 involved, should be avoided. 
 
 Ordinarily, considerable time elapses between the 
 cutting and the receipt of the ties at the treating works, 
 often from sixty to ninety days ; time enough at least for 
 the breaking down of the natural juices of the timber; 
 experience seeming to point to this condition as a proper 
 time to subject the wood to treatment. There is now 
 very good reason for believing this to be correct and 
 moreover if it is, the very great danger of inducing 
 decay by this seasoning (?) is avoided. All in all, 
 it would seem well to modify pet theories to conform 
 to "experience." 
 
 EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY 
 
 In the study of this and kindred subjects the knowl- 
 edge and abilities should be of a two-fold nature, ac- 
 quired knowledge and "experience." The former to lay 
 the foundation for the latter and the experience to 
 fill out and mature the judgment thus acquiring practic- 
 able knowledge that will be a safe guide ever in the 
 future. 
 
 "The parrot can learn to say what others say; no 
 matter how eloquent; the monkey will imitate what 
 others do but in both cases without wisdom." 
 
 In physical nature with which we have to deal, all 
 technical knowledge is derived from experience, the 
 very foundation of knowledge, and therefore should not 
 be cast aside, scorned, but should be courted assiduously 
 and its lessons carefully studied. Only in this way will 
 "facts" be adduced. Self-aggrandizement, eloquence of 
 speech or plausible theories and purely technical knowl- 
 edge without experience is apt to be misleading and 
 mischievous. 
 
 393 
 
TREATING FRESH CUT TIMBER 
 
 The actual experiences here given bear directly on this 
 much mooted question. The timbers here treated consist 
 of a variety of the woods grown in upper Michigan 
 and consisting of Birch, Beech, Hard and Soft Maples, 
 Pines, Tamarack, Hemlock, two varieties of Elms, 
 Sycamore, Hackberry, etc. The average size or volume 
 of these ties is 3.3 cubic feet and being northern well 
 grown wood, there is a minimum of sap wood much 
 less than with the same woods grown farther south. 
 
 This timber was cut during the winter 1907-8 and in 
 a climate where it remained frozen until near April, 
 hence could not dry much before operations were com- 
 menced upon the treatment. Tests made early in May 
 showed the timber still full of the saps. 
 
 The following synopsis of the treatment having seven 
 hours and fifty minutes average time for each run will 
 give a fair idea of the method of treatment, the zinc- 
 creosote, (Card) process being used. 
 
 Month of June, Steamed 3% hours. Under pressure 
 2 l /2 hours. 
 
 Month of July, Steamed 3^ hours. Under Pressure 
 2*/4 hours. 
 
 Month of August, Steamed 3M$ hours. Under pressure 
 2 1 A hours. 
 
 Month of December, Steamed 2% hours. Under pres- 
 sure 3 hours. 
 
 TABULATION OF RESULTS 
 
 Month 
 
 Emulsion 
 
 Name 
 Wood 
 
 Condi- 
 tion 
 
 Abs. 
 Znc. 
 
 Abs. 
 Cre. 
 
 Total 
 Emulsion, 
 ibs. Cu. Ft. 
 
 June 
 
 4pr. ct. Z. 
 
 Hem and 
 
 Green 
 
 .4232 
 
 2.191b. 
 
 10.88 Ibs. 
 
 
 20 pr. ct. Cre. 
 
 Tarn 
 
 
 
 
 
 July 
 
 8 pr. ct. Z. 
 
 Hard 
 
 Partly 
 Sea- 
 
 .4224 
 
 1.791b. 
 
 13.83 Ibs. 
 
 
 18 pr. ct. Cre. 
 
 Wood 
 
 soned 
 
 
 
 
 August 
 
 3 pr. ct. Z. 
 
 Hard 
 
 Drv 
 
 .4551 
 
 1.99 Ib. 
 
 15.28 Ibs. 
 
 
 13 pr. ct. Cre. 
 
 Wood 
 
 
 
 
 Decem- 
 ber 
 
 1 pr ct Z. 
 17 pr. ct. Cre. 
 
 Soft 
 Wood 
 
 Dry 
 
 .4296 
 
 1.831b. 
 
 10.76 Ibs. 
 
The absorption of Zinc is good. The absorption of 
 the oil per tie is as follows : 
 
 June 7.23 Ibs. per tie for 3.3 cubic feet. 
 July 5.90 Ibs. per tie for 3.3 cubic feet. 
 Aug. 6.00 Ibs. per tie for 3.3. cubic feet. 
 Dec. 6.50 Ibs. per tie for 3.3 cubic feet. 
 It does not seem that the treatment was retarded very 
 much in consequence of the wood saps. 
 
 Pertinent to this question is a report in relation to 
 piles creosoted by the International Creosoting & Cons. 
 Co., in 1895, for the railway causeway between the main- 
 land and Galveston Island. Quoting from the Engi- 
 neering News, 
 
 "At present, all the railways enter Galveston over 
 a single track viaduct about 11,000 feet long sup- 
 ported on creosoted piling and over 4,000 separate 
 piles. Over 2,000,000 cars have crossed this bridge 
 since 1900. * * * The piles used * * * were 
 all of Southern pine treated with 24 pounds of anhy- 
 drous creosote oil per cubic foot. They were practic- 
 ally all green when treated, most of them coming 
 from the stump and being seasoned by steaming * * * 
 Early this year there occurred the lowest water in 
 years in the bay between Galveston Island and the 
 mainland. The water was so low that two-thirds of 
 the total number of piles were exposed to the mud 
 line. This afforded opportunity for a most com- 
 plete examination of each pile, and the official report 
 of the inspection showed that not one pile originally 
 furnished was in any way decayed." 
 These instances are new developments but not ex- 
 ceptional. Experiences at Somers, Montana, where ties 
 from the saw were more easily treated than those piled 
 to dry some little time and those experiences noted by 
 W. G. Curtis of the Southern Pacific in California in 
 the early history of the business must also still be held 
 in mind. 
 
 TREATING FRESH CUT TIMBER 
 
 Dry wood is most easily permeated with zinc solu- 
 tion, and with favorable woods, it becomes possible with 
 
 395 
 
creosote oils, but the danger remains that decay may 
 have progressed during such drying so that the treat- 
 ment is of little avail. 
 
 Summing up the results of experiences of many years 
 would seem to lead to a reliance on the mature knowl- 
 edge derived from long experience and good judgment 
 and common sense rather than upon that which is 
 largely academic, the experience being lacking. (R.) 
 
 RECORDS OF RESULTS 
 
 The author recognizing the importance of actual 
 records in determining the value of any treatment, en- 
 tered into this matter at some length some years since 
 as evidenced in the pages of this work, (pps. 289, etc.) 
 but up to date of writing, little response has been elicited 
 and little has been done to do anything effective. The 
 records offered so far, with few exceptions, are so frag- 
 mentary as to be very inconclusive. The plan here 
 offered is simple and measurably inexpensive, but would 
 give all necessary data. Without some such system of 
 inspection and record, the whole matter remains open 
 to the unsupported assumptions put forth by irrespon- 
 sible and self- interested parties. Fortunately, in a few 
 cases reliable records have been secured. Without care- 
 fully kept, long extended inspection and record, little of 
 value can be secured. This inspection should be made 
 under the direction of the railroad company by their own 
 engineers, no expert with a pet hobby or with an ax to 
 grind will be safe to trust. 
 

 
 DOES CHLORIDE OF ZINC LEACH OUT ? 
 
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 [ WHITE OAK. | 
 
THE NEW GOSPEL 
 
 The Author some time since took occasion to depre- 
 cate the influence of "Commercialism on the business 
 of the Preservation of Woods," assuming the position 
 that the railroads could better protect their interests 
 and the trust invested in them in their official duties, a 
 trust all the more sacred in proportion to its magnitude 
 and importance, could best be secured by doing it and 
 holding it in control by the company itself, directly. 
 
 There seems, however, to have been a new element, 
 a new phase of ethics at least, introduced into the busi- 
 ness; it cannot be called business method; by which 
 the business is being disturbed, for a time at least, by 
 which the sum of acquired knowledge and the experience 
 of many years is thrown aside scornfully and is being 
 replaced or is being sought to be, and an untried method 
 having absolutely no record as to its value as a treat- 
 ment. Not only this; but it is being forced upon the 
 railroad world to the exclusion of sane and tried 
 methods long known to have been successful. 
 
 It is claimed by this new gospel, that it is the essence 
 of wisdom, that it be universally accepted, settling every 
 doubt in the mind of every railroad manager so that^ he 
 need know nothing more about it, except to wrap him- 
 self in an abounding faith and allow his ties to be well 
 blacked after elaborately piling them until they approach 
 the verge of decay so as to allow them to be well 
 (superficially) blacked. 
 
 It may be well here to mention that a creosote oil 
 containing a large percentage of coal tar "pitch," will 
 better hide defects in process of treatment, or the 
 addition of a little of the pitch, a worthless substance 
 which costs but little and only retards the oil, deepens 
 the color, etc. (no charge is made for this suggestion) 
 saves money and prolongs the exposure of results. 
 
 The most practical result is however that it will turn 
 a bit of money to those in the business of promoting 
 and to the railroads; What? 
 
 400 
 
Furthermore, this is not all: Ordinarily to build 
 and install a treating plant, a notice of such purpose 
 to a competent engineer of experience that such a desire 
 is entertained will at a reasonable compensation, secure 
 immediate attention and an efficient, economically 
 erected and operated plant can be secured. A shop 
 draughtsman with absolutely no practical knowledge of 
 the process cannot be trusted to do this. At this day, 
 however, it is necessary to convince some one. Money 
 convinces; then if common sense interposes, anyone 
 having the temerity to interpose, then he must subside 
 or be crushed. Even the "EXPERTS" trained into this 
 special line by the Forest Service are hired off, due 
 probably to the government stamp being of value 
 to the business, more than for the actual knowledge 
 derived from the limited practical knowledge derived 
 from the accidental connection therewith. Perhaps no 
 greater detriment to sane practice can accrue to the 
 business so important to the railroads and to the con- 
 servation of our forests so ably advocated by our Presi- 
 dent of the United States and our Forest Service, than 
 from these so called experts with the limited practical 
 experience in the matter. "A word to the wise." 
 
 VALEDICTORY 
 
 About twenty-four years ago the writer was intrusted 
 with the management of the wood treating business for 
 one of the largest railroad companies in the West. This 
 duty was assumed as resident engineer owing loyalty 
 and duty to the railroad company alone. Although 
 having been engaged in railroad service for many years 
 previous, during which my experience passed through 
 almost every department of railroad construction, and 
 operation, the business of wood preservation was new. 
 Shouldering the responsibility, it became a duty to treat 
 the matter honestly, carefully and thoroughly; the first 
 duty was to thoroughly understand it, consequently a 
 study was made of each and every phase as developed 
 by the operation. This study was continued almost 
 unremittingly up to this date, and results have been 
 put into record and are embodied in this work, and 
 
 
 401 
 
has been furnished to students in all parts of the world. 
 
 The methods used are mainly founded on basic prin- 
 ciples, theories cutting no figure, and every effort turned 
 to verify by all means in reach, so that in most cases 
 each point can be relied upon as facts. These studies 
 have been carried forward to this time at great cost of 
 money and time, entirely without aid from any source, 
 and with very little recompense from those deriving 
 benefit, either in money or thanks. Although this will 
 be the last work on the Hand Book, the work will be 
 continued to the end that the best possible work shall 
 result eventually, and the author still pledges the best 
 efforts and will not hesitate to interpose where dis- 
 honest practices for the simple incentive is the money 
 there is in it. The "Fakir" must have his day, but it 
 will be a short day, and when it ends, not only will he 
 get his deserts, but those whom he has misled, inno- 
 cently on their part, will have good reasons to mourn. 
 
 The mischievous business method which our "Lin- 
 coln," whose centennial birthday we celebrate, was 
 too simple minded to even comprehend and against 
 which our president has fought so strenuously, still pre- 
 vails, and since "Timber Preservation" has grown to 
 be so important, has invaded this field, presumably for 
 the "money" there is in it. 
 
 The writer, in one short lifetime has seen the country 
 stripped of the bulk of its woods from the Atlantic coast 
 to and into the continental divide, and at the present day 
 the western slope is being invaded and ruthlessly slashed 
 into. There are children living today that will jive to 
 see the country devastated of resources so that it must 
 be on its decline, and our children forced to seek 
 other climes. It is to be hoped, however, that our 
 people will awake to this peril and that millionaire for- 
 tunes, however acquired, will cease to be used to im- 
 poverish the country. 
 
 Chicago, February 12, 1909. 
 
 402 
 
INDEX 1909 
 
 PAGE 329 FORWARD 
 
 Absorptive Properties of Timber 329-336 
 
 Chloride of Zinc and Creosote 373 
 
 Fungus Culture 375-380 
 
 Life of Treated Ties A. T. & S. F. Ry 355-365 
 
 Paving: Wood Blocks 380-384 
 
 Concrete Base for 383-384 
 
 In Chicago (Moore) 385-389 
 
 " " Cost of : in Chicago 389 
 
 Paving Blocks : Experiments on 349 
 
 Physical Properties of Timbers 329 336 
 
 Timber: Seasoning for Treatment 392-393 
 
 Treating Fresh Cut . . .394-396 
 
 , <, " Open Tank (Card) 390-392 
 
 'W ; " Experience Necessary 393 
 
 " " Records Necessary 396 
 
 :$' a " Methods (Card) 365 
 
 *> " "New Gospel" (Card) 400 
 
 '"'**''" " Should be Done by R. R. Co. 
 
 (Beal) 369-370 
 
 Should be Done by R. R. Co. 
 
 (Rowe) 371 
 
 Ultimate Strength of 344-348 
 
 Woods of Mexico 351 
 
 " " Philippine Islands 353 
 
 Zinc-Chloride : Does it Leach Out ( Angier) 397 
 
 Zinc-Creosote : Card Process (Card) 398 
 
The 
 
 Grasselli Chemical 
 
 MAIN OFFICE, CLEVELAND, OHIO 
 
 Manufacturers of Heavy 
 Chemicals 
 
 CHLORIDE 
 OF ZINC 
 
 Fused and Solution 
 
 FOR WOOD PRESERVING 
 PURPOSES 
 
 Correspondence invited 
 
A CARD TO THE PUBLIC 
 
 Our business is to design and install timber preserv- 
 ing plants. In planning a plant to impregnate timber 
 with preservative treatment the aim is to provide for 
 those functions necessary to be performed and to do 
 this in the most direct and perfect manner, in other words 
 to make the plant a complete and perfect machine for 
 the purpose within itself. To do this understandingly it 
 is necessary to adapt the layout to the situation as to 
 grounds, tracks of access, water supply, drainage, and 
 other necessities for its operation. Such matters as the 
 character of the buildings to cover the plant can be 
 left to the (judgment of the builder or to any good 
 architect. 
 
 The ability to do this well and to do it right is here 
 offered, derived from long continued, careful study and 
 practice such as cannot be possessed by any simple shop 
 draughtsman with no practical experience in the opera- 
 tion of a plant or the principles involved in the art of 
 impregnation of the various woods. Any attempt in this 
 direction on the part of such, will and have always proved 
 abortive, resulting in expensive and clumsy experiment 
 and lacking in many of the essentials of what a modern 
 plant should possess. 
 
 Those wishing faithful, honest service at reasonable 
 compensation will not be disappointed, can trust us be- 
 cause we know how. 
 
 We will not make estimates of cost unless the manage- 
 ment and control be under our direction until the plant 
 is completed and installed, but will give such informa- 
 tion as to cost of similar work so far as our past exper- 
 ience enables us to do. We will not be sponsors for 
 other peoples mistakes or extravagance, but would save 
 every expense that will not aid in earning dollars in 
 operation both in expense in methods and management. 
 
 
CARD. 
 
 In compiling this work a large number of illus- 
 trations have been introduced to more fully describe 
 the various parts of the workings, but owing to the 
 smallness of the page, most of these are too small to 
 carry much value except to make a record of them. 
 
 There are a number of tables of the same char- 
 acter so small as to be read with difficulty. Full 
 sized prints of the plans will be furnished at the 
 regular price for such plans ^and the tables will be 
 furnished at small advance of cost. 
 
 Plans, specifications, inspection of works and in- 
 stallation and also training of an operator is covered 
 by a reasonable and fixed commission based upon 
 the cost of the completed plant. 
 
 Deviation from plans and specifications will be at 
 risk of the company making the changes. 
 
 We endeavor to select everything with reference 
 to efficiency and reliability, at the same time econo- 
 mizing as much as possible. 
 
 We accept no commissions on machinery bought 
 and will make no contracts for purchases except at 
 the special request of the contracting company and 
 under a special arrangement. 
 
 ROWE & ROWE, 
 SAMUEL M. ROWE, Mgr. 
 
KNOWLES STEAM PUMP WKS, 
 
 Chicago 
 New York 
 Boston 
 
 SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FOR TIMBER TREATING PLANTS. 
 
 Surface Condensers with Combined Air and Circulating Pumps. 
 Suction Valveless Vacuum Pumps, Single, Duplex, Tri- 
 plex, Steam Power or Electric Pumps of all kinds. 
 Duplex and Straight Line Air Compressors, Compound and 
 Two Stage. Condensers, Feed Water Heaters and Meters. 
 
 SEND FOR SPECIAL CATALOGS. 
 
 We have equipped the following Timber Preserving Plants: 
 
 C. B.&Q. R. R. CO. 
 C. & N. W. R. R. CO. . 
 GREAT NORTHERN RY. Co. . 
 
 M. K. &T. R. R. CO. . 
 A. T. AS. F RY. CO. 
 UNION PACIFIC R. R. CO. . 
 OREGON RY. & NAV. CO. 
 DENVER & RIO GRANDE RY. CO. 
 
 CHICAGO TIE PRES. CO. 
 ALAMOGORDO LBR. CO. 
 
 EDGEMONT, s. DAK. 
 ESCANABA, MICH. 
 KALISPELL, MONT. 
 
 GREENVILLE, TEXAS 
 
 LAS VEGAS, N. M. 
 . OMAHA, NEB. 
 
 PORTLAND, ORE. 
 
 ALAMOSA, COLO. 
 
 SO. ENGLEWOOD, ILL. 
 
 MOUNT VERNON, ILL. 
 
 ALAMOGORDO, N. MEX. 
 
Allis-Chalmers Co. 
 
 CHICAGO, U. S. A. 
 
 Builders of 
 
 TIMBER PRESERVING PLANTS 
 
 Following is a list of the companies for whom we have 
 built timber preserving machinery and other apparatus : 
 
 Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe . 
 Texas Tie and Lumber Preserving Co. 
 
 Ed. A. Ayer 
 
 Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar . ., 
 Chicago Tie Preserving Co. 
 Missouri, Kansas & Texas . -^ ,*rl 
 Great Northern R. R. Co. . 
 Ayer & Lord Tie Company 
 National Lumber Co. 
 Chicago & Northwestern R. R. 
 Denver & Rio Grande R. R. 
 Mexican Central R. R. 
 
 1 72 inches x 109 feet. 
 
 2 72 
 4 72 
 1 60 
 1 72 
 
 3 72 
 
 4 72 
 8 74 
 1 72 
 3 72 
 3 74 
 1 74 
 
 Ayer& Lord Tie Company (repeat order)! 74 
 
 : 109 
 x 109 
 x 50 
 x 117 
 x 108 
 x 108 
 x 125 
 x 125 
 x 110 
 x 110 
 x 125 
 x 125 
 
FAIRBANKS, MORSE & CO. 
 
 Cylinder and Bolster Cars 
 
 We contract for installing com- 
 plete Tie Treating Plants ready for 
 operation or furnish materials only. 
 We manufacture Steam Pumps and 
 Boilers, Tanks, all sizes, wood or 
 steel; Steam and Gasoline Engines, 
 Special Cars of all kinds, Pipe, 
 Fittings, Valves, etc. 
 
 FAIRBANKS, MORSE 
 
 CHICAGO 
 
 CO. 
 
The Grasselli Chemical G 
 
 CLEVELAND, OHIO. 
 
 MANUFACTURERS OF 
 
 Chloride of Zinc 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE INVITED. 
 
 GENERAL CHEMICAL COMPA1S 
 
 135 ADAMS ST., CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. 
 
 Manufacturers of CHLORIDE OF ZINC 
 
 FUSED AND SOLUTION, HIGHEST QUALITY, FOR TIMBER P 
 SERVING. LARGE CONTRACTS SOLICITED. 
 
 NORTHERN EXTRACT CO. 
 
 MANUFACTURERS OF 
 
 Hemlock Bark Extract 
 
 ESPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN THE PRESERVATION OF WO< 
 FOR RAILROAD TIES, BRIDGE TIMBERS, PILING, ETC. 
 
 CHICAGO OFFICE: 144 KINZIE ST. 
 
 WORKS AT ALPENA, MICH. 
 BRADFORD TABER, PRESIDENT. 
 
 BOILER. 
 
 MANUFACTURERS OF 
 
 Horizontal Tubular Steam Boilers for Power 
 
 With Fronts, Castings, Smokestacks and incidental appliances. 
 167-169 EAST LAKE STREET - - - C H I C A C 
 
 FOSTER STEAM SUPERHEATER 
 
 High temperatures without increased pressure 
 
 POWER SPECIALTY COMPANY, 
 126 Liberty St., New Yor 
 
Lidgerwood Hoists, Steam or Electric, 
 are in use at the following Tie Preserving 
 Plants : 
 
 Las Vegas Timber Preserving Works, Las Vegas, New Mex. 
 Union Pacific Timber Preserving Works, Laramie, Wyo. 
 Texas Tie & Lumber Preserving Co., Somerville, Tex. 
 The Santa Fe Pacific Timber Preserving Works, Bellemont, 
 
 Ariz. 
 
 Mt. Vernon Timber Preserving Works, Mt. Vernon, 111. 
 The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Tie Preserving Works, 
 
 Edgemont, S . D . 
 The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Timber Preserving Works, 
 
 Greenville, Tex. 
 
 The Alamogordo Lumber Company, Alamogordo, New Mex. 
 Ayer & Lord Tie Co., Carbondale, 111. 
 Ayer & Lord Tie Co., Grenada, Miss. 
 
 Union Pacific R'y Tie Preserving Works, Cheyenne, Wyo. 
 Denver & Rio Grande R'y Timber Preserving Works, Ala- 
 
 mosa, Colo. 
 The Chicago Tie Preserving Co., Chicago, 111. 
 
 SEND FOR CATALOGUE. 
 
 LIDQERWOOD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 
 
 1510 Old Colony Bldg., 
 
 Chicago, 111. 
 
Steel Tanks of every description and any capacity 
 
 TflNKS 
 
 Cylinder Tanks, Upright Tanks, 
 Pressure Tanks, Stills, Kettles, 
 Boxes, Pans, Shells, Riveted Pipe, 
 CAR TANKS AND TANK CARS. 
 
 Wm, Graver Tank Works ? 3 H c' CAGO 
 
 3O3 DEARBORN ST. 
 
 RETORTS, TANKS AND TOWERS 
 
 FOR WOOD PRESERVING PLANTS 
 
 CHICAGO BRIDGE & IRON WORKS 
 
 105th and Throop Sts., CHICAGO, ILL. 
 
 Diamond Glue Company 
 
 General Office, 218 La Salle St., CHICAGO 
 
 MANUFACTURERS OF 
 
 ESPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN PRESERVING WOOD, 
 
ROWE & ROWE. 
 
 TO THE PUBLIC : For eighteen years we have given the 
 business of planning and installing Timber Preserving 
 Works the closest and most careful study, both as to the 
 efficiency of treatment and to the simplification of the ap- 
 pliances. We now believe that we can assure the very best 
 results. Our "Hand Book" containing most of the results of 
 our study, although not intended for publication, has been 
 freely given out, it being our wish to withhold nothing from 
 those really interested. We believe now that our facilities 
 for designing and for installation are unequaled ; our terms 
 most reasonable, enabling us to give much of this advantage 
 to our patrons. 
 
 We will also, when desired, inspect as to methods and 
 efficiency of treatment by any works, and at moderate com- 
 pensation. 
 
 The following list of works will give some idea of the 
 extent of our experience : 
 
 1885. A. T. & S. F. Ry. Las Vegas, N. M. Operated several 
 
 years. 
 1887. Union Pac. R. R. Laramie, Wyo. Plans. 
 
 1897. T. T. &L. P. Co. Somerville, Tex. Plans, Supervision 
 and Operation. 
 
 1898. Santa Fe Pac. Bellemont, Ariz. Plans, Supervisions 
 and Operation. 
 
 1898. C. & E. I. R. R. Mt. Vernon, 111. Plans revised for O. 
 Chanute. 
 
 1899. Great Northern Ry. Kalispell, Mont. Plans, Super- 
 vision and Installation. 
 
 1899. B. &. M. R. Ry. Edgemont, S. Dak. Plans, Supervis- 
 ion and Installation. 
 
 1900. H. C. Sugar Co. Hawaii, S. I. Plans with full directions. 
 
 1900. Mex. Cent. R. R. Mexico. Consulting Engineer. 
 
 1901. M. K. & T. Ry. Greenville, Tex. Plans, Supervision 
 and Installation. 
 
 1901. Alamogordo L. Co. Alamogordo, N. M. Plans, Super- 
 vision and Installation. 
 
 1901. Rocky Mt. Timb. Co. Colo. Plans, Supervision and 
 Installation. 
 
 1902. Ayer Lord Tie Co. Carbondale, 111. Consulting Engin'r. 
 1902. " " " Miss. Consulting Engineer. 
 
 1902. Union Pacific. Portable Plant. Shop Inspection. 
 1902. O. R.&N.Co. 
 
 1902. A. T. & S. F. Plans and Specifications. 
 
 1903. D. & R. G. Alamosa, Colo. Plans, Specifications and 
 Installation. 
 
 ROWE & ROWE 
 SAMUEL M. ROWE, - . itaY| Manager. 
 
BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 
 
 For the convenience of our patrons and ourselves 
 we introduce this short directory, giving name and 
 address of those dealing in the articles named. This 
 must not be understood as excluding others in the 
 same line. 
 
 Boilers. 
 
 Kewanee Boiler Co., 167-169 E. Lake St., Chicago. 
 Hamlin Boiler and Tank Co., 39th and Halsted Sts., Chi- 
 cago. 
 
 Scully Steel and Iron Co., 130-136 Fulton St., Chicago. 
 Cast Iron Pipe. 
 
 F. K. Bowes & Co., 277 Dearborn St., Chicago. 
 
 Jas. B. Clow & Sons, Franklin and Harrison Sts., Chicago. 
 
 Cables. 
 
 Lidgerwood Mfg. Co., Old Colony Bldg., Chicago. 
 Jno. Roebling Sons Co., 171-173 E. Lake St., Chicago. 
 A. Leschen & Sons Rope Co., 137 E. Lake St., Chicago. 
 
 Chloride of Zinc. 
 
 Grasselli Chemical Co., Cleveland, Ohio. 
 General Chemical Co., 135 Adams St., Chicago. 
 
 Hydrometers, Chemical Appliances, Etc. 
 e Hohmann & Mauer Mfg. Co., 119 Lake St., Chicago. 
 A. Daigger, 132-134 E. Lake St., Chicago. 
 
 Creosote (Dead Oil). 
 Barrett Mfg. Co., Loan and Trust Bldg.. Chicago. 
 
 Electric Lighting:. 
 
 General Electric Co., Monadnock Bldg., Chicago. 
 We stinghouse Electric and Mfg. Co., Pittstmrg, Pa. 
 
 Glue. 
 
 Diamond Glue Co., R. 422, 218 La Salle St., Chicago. 
 American Glue Co., 148-150 E. Kinzie St., Chicago. 
 
 Hoisting: Engines. 
 Lidgerwood Mfg. Co., Old Colony Bldg., Chicago 
 
 Lead Sheet. 
 
 Ra ymond Lead Co., 51-59 W. Lake St., Chicago. 
 E. W. Blatchford & Co., 70 N. Clinton St., Chicago. 
 
Lead Burning, 
 
 J. J. Tuttle, 453 Flournoy St., Chicago. 
 J. J. Wade & Sons, 52 Dearborn St., Chicago. 
 
 Pressure Gauges aud Thermometers. 
 Schaffer & Budenberg Mfg. Co., 15 W. Lake St., Chicago. 
 Pumps and Condensers. 
 
 Knowles Steam Pump Works, New York Life Bldg., Chi- 
 cago. 
 
 Wheeler Condenser and Engineering Co., R. 1137 Monad- 
 nock Bldg., Chicago. 
 
 Fairbanks, Morse & Co., Franklin and Monroe Sts., Chi- 
 cago. 
 
 Pipe and Fittings. 
 
 Jno. Davis Co., 22d and Halsted Sts., Chicago. 
 
 Crane Company, Jefferson and Randolph Sts., Chicago. 
 
 Jas. B. Clow & Sons, Franklin and Harrison Sts., Chicago. 
 
 Retorts. 
 
 Allis-Chalmers, New York Life Bldg., Chicago. 
 
 Chicago Bridge and Iron Co., 105th and Throop Sts., Chi- 
 cago. 
 
 Hamlin Boiler and Tank Co., 39th and -Halsted Sts., Chi- 
 cago. 
 
 Scully Steel and Iron Co., 130-136 Fulton St., Chicago. 
 Roofing, Pipe Covering and Asbestos Packing. 
 
 Chicago Fire Proof Covering Co., 18-20 N. Canal St., Chi- 
 cago. 
 
 H. W. Johns-Manville Co., 171-173 Randolph St., Chicago. 
 
 Western Roofing and Sup ply Co., 177 Randolph St., Chi- 
 cago. 
 
 Scales. 
 
 Fairbanks, Morse & Co., Franklin and Monroe Sts., Chi- 
 cago. 
 
 Sheaves and Guide Pulleys. 
 
 Link Belt Machinery Co., 39th and Stewart Sts., Chicago. 
 
 Superheaters. 
 
 Power Specialty Co., 126 Liberty St., New York. 
 Tanks. 
 
 Fairbanks, Morse & Co., Franklin & Monroe Sts., Chi- 
 cago. 
 
 W. B. Rose Supply Co., Lincoln Trust Bldg., St. Louis. 
 
 Wra. Graver, Tank Works (Steel Tanks) 303 Dearborn St., 
 Chicago. 
 
Tram Cars. 
 
 Fairbanks, Morse & Co., Franklin & Monroe Sts., Chicago. 
 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co., 105th & Throop Sts., Chicago. 
 
 Tannin. 
 
 Northern Extract Co., 144 Kinzie St., Chicago. 
 A. Klipstein & Co., 122 Pearl St., New York. 
 
 Track Fixtures. 
 
 Paige Iron Works, Room 427 Monadnock Bldg. , Chicago. 
 Ajax Forge Co., 138 E. Jackson Blvd., Chicago. 
 
 Valves. 
 
 Chapman Valve Co., 28 S. Canal St., Chicago. 
 Eddy Valve Co., Waterford, N. Y. 
 Jenkins Bros. Valve Co., 31-33 N. Canal St., Chicago. 
 
 Differential Pulleys. 
 H. Channon Co., Market & Randolph Sts., Chicago. 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Alamosa yard 10 
 
 Absorbent properties of timber, "A" 147 
 
 "B" 148 
 
 "C" 149 
 
 "D" 150 
 
 Boilers, steam 12 
 
 Blow-back system (3 movement) 20 
 
 Bolster car 31 
 
 Buildings General layout 33 
 
 Condenser and hot well 16, 46 
 
 Cooling tower 22 
 
 Creosote plant 115 
 
 Diagram, Glue 63 
 
 Quebracho 73 
 
 Tannin 72 
 
 Runs 48 
 
 Showing relative per cent cross ties removed. . . 172 
 
 Vacuum ; . . 168 
 
 Graphic Table, Density of chloride of zinc 50 
 
 " Weight of chloride of zinc 52 
 
 Hammer, Stamping 37 
 
 Heating coils for creosote, chloride and tannin tank 25 
 
 Hydrometer reading for glue 64 
 
 *' " Quebracho extract 75 
 
 " " tannin 75 
 
 Indicator board and float 37 
 
 Original yard (Las Vegas) 7 
 
 Renewals, Rate of 171 
 
 Report, Monthly 81, 82 
 
 '* Operators' 78 
 
 Retort No. 2 43, 178 
 
 " and Foundation 116 
 
 11 section, with car, trackage and steam coil for cre- 
 osote 117 
 
 " section with tram car 29 
 
 Ruping process, The 131 
 
 Sheaves and guide pulleys 27 
 
 Solution pipes (tentative plan 8 retort works) 40 
 
 " and valves (8 retort works) 41 
 
 44 " (3 movement) 19 
 
 Special cross for inside steam pipe 120 
 
 Steam coil for retort 118 
 
 piping (G. N. Ry.) 24 
 
 Statement 176 
 
 " of operation 77 
 
 Table " A " No. 1... 56 
 
 " "B" " 2 57 
 
 " "C" " 3 58 
 
 " " B " cubic ft. concentrated solution required per 
 tub foot 144 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS-Continued. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Table " B " weight concentrated solution required per 
 
 tub foot 145 
 
 Tie loader, Angler's 165 
 
 Thermometers showing method of attachment 45 
 
 Treated ties removed, per cent of 148 
 
 Tram car (Rowe's improved ball bearing) 32 
 
 " " Roller bearing axle 159 
 
 " Studyin 162 
 
 Tramway ( Alamosa yard) 28 
 
 Unloading tank for creosote 119 
 
 Vats, lead lined 18 
 
 " weighing 35 
 
 C. B. & Q. works, Sheridan, Wyo 190 
 
 < *< yard .4 .< 200 
 
 41 " " " works, Edgemont, S. D 192 
 
 Edgemont works during construction 191 
 
 G. N. works during construction 199 
 
 Las Vegas plant 186 
 
 Machinery room. Bellemont, Ariz 193 
 
 G.N. Ry 197 
 
 " Sheridan, Wyo 201 
 
 Somerville, Texas 189, 195 
 
 Original two cylinder works, Las Vegas, N. M 187 
 
 Retort of U. P. and O. R. & N. Go's, portable plants 196 
 
 Six cylinder works, Somerville, Texas 188 
 
 Solution pipes, G. N. Ry. works 198 
 
 Tram car 185 
 
 Two retort works, Bellemont, Ariz 194 
 
 C. & N. W. Ry. works, Escanaba, Mich 202 
 
INDEX. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Absorption of chloride, tannin, glue 76 
 
 by volume 76 
 
 Appliances, Character of 9, 66 
 
 Burnettizing 89 
 
 Harry Grimshaw 102 
 
 Cost of (J. D.Isaacs) 107 
 
 Caution 9, 89 
 
 Chemicals, Preparation of 51, 68 
 
 Rule for mixing 49 
 
 Computation, Convenient table 166 
 
 During operation 71 
 
 Units in 89 
 
 Creosoting, Cost of (J. D. Isaacs) 122 
 
 (Harry Grimshaw) 101 
 
 Inspection 114 
 
 (Norfolk Creosoting Co.) 109 
 
 Process 1 13 
 
 Southern Pacific programme 114 
 
 Specifications for 112 
 
 Dating NaiL 36 
 
 Door, Spider 81 
 
 " Weightof 11 
 
 " Bolted 15 
 
 Expansion of fluids by heat 92 
 
 Gelatine, (Glue) 55, 70 
 
 G. M. Hyams 60 
 
 Penetration of (O. Chanute) 62 
 
 Hammer, Stamping 34 
 
 Introduction 5 
 
 Kyanizing 103 
 
 Metric System. Weights and measures 92 
 
 Notes and Explanations 146 
 
 Oil of Tar, Composition of 125 
 
 * * Emulsion of 126 
 
 Pressingin 125 
 
 Operation, Ruleof 34 
 
 Plant, Installation of <S7 
 
 Portable Plant 30 
 
 Processes, Creo-Resinate 134 
 
 Creosoting (Patented) 106 
 
 Hasselman, The 1 30, 133 
 
 Ruping. The 126, 128 
 
 Three Movement, The 153 
 
 Wellhouse, The 5, 6 
 
 Zinc Creosote (Rutgers) 123 
 
 Record of routinework 79 
 
 Retort, Lagging of 91 
 
 Proper proportions of 163 
 
 Volume of 67 
 
INDBX-Continued. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Saps, Extracted 80, 180 
 
 Solutions, Determination of strength of 54 
 
 Increase of strength of 156 
 
 Increase of temperature 157 
 
 Implements for testing 93 
 
 Preparation of 53 
 
 Temperature of 42 
 
 Test of strength of tannin (Tub solution) 93 
 
 Steam, Introduction to retort 179 
 
 " Penetration of 86 
 
 " Superheated 42 
 
 Steaming and Vacuum, Effect of 99 
 
 Storage of ties in yard 84 
 
 Tannin Extract 62, 70 
 
 : " Test of strength of tub solution 93 
 
 Temperature of solutions 42 
 
 Tie loader (Angler's) 164 
 
 Timber, Absorption'powers of 146, 154, 181 
 
 Computing volume 76 
 
 Determination of life of 170 
 
 Effect of treatment as to strength 158 
 
 Kinds and conditions of 80 
 
 Preservation of (Harry Grimshaw) 99 
 
 : Seasoning of 83 
 
 Value of treatment of 135, 173 
 
 When cooked through 98 
 
 Tram cars, Coupling for 164 
 
 " " Improvement of 160 
 
 Vacuum, Theory of (S. W. Robinson) 167 
 
 Visual tests, Chloride of zinc 95 
 
 Glue 97 
 
 " " Tannin 97 
 
 Water for dilution 55 
 
 Wellhouse process, Chemicals used 49 
 
 Zinc Chloride, Preparation of 68 
 
 Test for purity 94 
 
 " Test for strength 91 
 
INDEX TO APPENDIX 
 
 Page 
 
 Analysis of Dead Oil of Coal Tar 241-280 
 
 Amount of Oil Withdrawn by Vacuum (J. B. Card) .279-280 
 An Arraignment (Western Railway Club Meeting Dec. 
 
 16, '02). .316-318 
 
 A Typical Tree 326-327 
 
 Boiling Point in Vacuo 183 
 
 Bolted Door for Retort (plate) 190 
 
 Burnett Process, Specifications 216 
 
 Barometric Condenser 257 
 
 Creosoting Process (Eppinger & Russell) 208-209 
 
 Creosoting Specifications (Chanute) 195-198 
 
 Creosoting Specifications (Rowe) 221-223 
 
 Creosote, How Made (Hausser) 241-243 
 
 Cost of Various Processes Compared CRowe) 230 
 
 Cost of Timber Preserving Plant 260 
 
 Chemical Treatment of Timber (Engineer News) 263-270 
 
 Cast Steel High Pressure Retort Door and Flange 261 
 
 Centrifugal Pump Connection for Card Process 293 
 
 Compressed Air 288 
 
 Conservation of Forests in America 308-315 
 
 Experimental Plant for Laboratory (Rowe) 255 
 
 Economy of Compressor vs. Pump 287 
 
 Fundamentals To Be Considered in Plans 259 
 
 Giussani Process 210-240 
 
 Heat While Steaming Under Vacuum (Table) 184-185 
 
 Inspection of Ties in Track. Record of Results 291 
 
 Inspection of Ties in Track 289-290 
 
 Knowles Pump Co. Table of Compressed Air 288 
 
 Kilogramme, Equivalent in Pounds Avoirdupois (Table).. 213 
 
 Life of Treated Ties on C. R. I. & P. R. R. (Table) 186 
 
 Loading Ties in Box Cars (Angier) 256-257 
 
 Lead Lining for Wooden Tank 262 
 
 Natural Oil as a Preservative 319-324 
 
 Oil Joint for Conducting Pipe (Martin) 211 
 
 Oil Joint Applied to Discharge of Cargo (I. C. R. R.)...212 
 Over Pressure on Timber 284-286 
 
Page. 
 
 Processes & Agents (Rowe) 288-231 
 
 Piling and Seasoning Before Treating and Drying After 
 
 Treating of Ties 256 
 
 Program for Testing Amount Soluble Matter Removed 
 
 by Steaming 277-279 
 
 Records of Operation (Chanute) 206-207 
 
 Report of Treated Ties Removed First Six Months 1905 
 
 (Faulkner) 214 
 
 Rueping Process (Creosote) 233-239-240 
 
 Saturated Steam; In Timber Preservation (Beal) 223-227 
 
 Specifications for Treating Timber (Rowe) 215-223 
 
 Specifications for Creosoting (Rowe) 221-222 
 
 Specifications for Burnettizing (Rowe) 216 
 
 Specifications for Zinc-tannin or Wellhouse (Rowe) . .217-220 
 
 Summary of Timber Treating (Rowe) 239-240 
 
 Specifications for the Treatment of Timber 255 
 
 Steaming Timber Before Impregnating (A. A. Robin- 
 son) 300-301 
 
 Special 6" Flange for Agitator (Card Process) 258 
 
 Tentative Plan for Eight Retort Plant (plate) 187-189 
 
 Timber Treating and Testing Laboratory (plates) 244-254 
 
 Timber Treating (Chanute) Creosote and Zinc-tannin. 191-206 
 
 Tree Movement (Zinc-tannin Process) 219 
 
 Theory of Steaming Timber .271-276 
 
 The Use of Compressed Air for Shifting Solutions and 
 
 Oils 287 
 
 Temperature of Compressed Air 287 
 
 The Zinc-creosote (Rutger) Process (J. B. Card) 292-299 
 
 The Steaming of Timber (O. Chanute) 302-307 
 
 Treating of Paving Blocks 3?5 
 
 The Use of S. Irons 326 
 
 Wasting Away of Chloride of Zinc 281-283 
 
 What We Have Done 32S 
 
 Zinc-tannin Process on A. T. & S. F. R. R 231-233 
 
 Zinc-tannin Process (Tabulation of Records) 234-238 
 
 Zinc-creosote Process (The Rutger Process) 215-240 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 Page 117 Cost of treating G = Mexican currency. 
 
 Page 232, 24th line "average" instead of overage. 
 
 Page 283 Cap. T. 8th line should read number treated, to 
 determine this quite definitely. 
 
 Page 264 (on 22nd line add) "Not". 
 
 Page 265 (last line) Giussani not Ginssanni. 
 
 Page 266 (line 17) it should not rank, etc. 
 
 Page 266 (line 31) then releasing, etc. 
 
 Page 268 (line 10) hence 20 Ib. and omit this. 
 
 Page 273 (line 34) treated from, etc. 
 
 Page 280 (last line) P. 284. 
 
 Page 282 To whom it may concern some notes from an 
 unknown author for which the author does not express an 
 opinion. 
 
 Page 286-287 tables, date 1904 instead 1900. 
 
 Page 288 Knowles Pump Co. instead of Ingersoll-Kand. 
 
 Page 299 Leaching instead of "reaching". 
 
 Page 316 Clause at bottom of page should follow answer of 
 Dr. Von Schrenk on page 317. 
 
 Page 317 (3rd line) Radial instead of Radical. 
 
 Pape 823 Laying instead of "treatment". 
 
 Page 320 Resumg 3rd line add "d" to nee, making need. 
 
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
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