1919.\ 



DURABILITY TESTS WITH LOCAL WOODS. 



20& 



Six of the most inferior and least durable species were selected to 

 experiment on, the reason for their selection being that the results may 

 be obtained in the shortest possible time. The species, viz : — 



Hog Plum. — Spo7idias lutea, L. 



Mahoe. — Sterculia caribaea, R. Br. 



Jiggerwood. — Bravaisia floribunda, D.C. 



Bois Lais Lais. — 



Silk Cotton. — Eriodendron anfractuosum, D.C. 



Chataigne. — Pachira insignis, Sav. 

 were each sawn into three sets, each set consisting of one log, one plank 

 and one board. One set of each kind was placed untreated in a shed, the 

 other two sets being immersed in water immediately after sawing and 

 left there for six weeks. On removal from the pond these sets were 

 left in a drying shed for three months, at the expiry of which one water 

 seasoned set of each was immersed in crude oil for a period of one week. 

 Thei-e is now one set of each species untreated, one set water seasoned, 

 and one set water seasoned and oiled, to experiment on. 



The object of the water-seasoning is to prevent insect attacks by 

 washing out all the wood saps, the food supply of insects and fungus, 

 and at the same time to season timber against warping, etc., by more 

 even drying ; the oiling being to protect the surfaces the better to with- 

 stand weathering influences, also as an additional barrier to insect attacks, 

 and to prevent fungoid diseases. 



The following table gives the time in days, that elapsed between 

 felling the trees and the final putting out of the converted pieces for 

 the durability-test, also the time taken for each stage of the treatment. 



N.B. — Nos. I & II of each species are logs 12' x 10" x 10". No. I was first water- 

 seasoned, then cut in half, and one half oiled. No. II is untreated. 



Nos. Ill, IV & V are planks 12' x 12" x 3". No. V is untreated, No. IV 

 water-seasoned and No. Ill water-seasoned and oiled. 



Nos. VI, VII & VIII are boards 12' x 12" x 1'. No. VIII is untreated, No, 

 VII water-seasoned and No. VI water-seasoned and oiled. 



