-1:42 • EXPERIMENT STATION RECOED. 



the open air and under cover, in contact with soil, garden compost, stable 

 manure, and on planks infected with fungus diseases. Although the present 

 experiments are not considered complete and are to be continued for several 

 years, the results so far indicate that the carbolineum pre]>arations. as well as 

 juicrosol, are the best preservatives to use. Gas tar also proved quite efficient, 

 but antinnouine, antigermine, lysol, and hydrofluoric acid were of little value. 

 Microsol is believed to be more adapted for the preservation of wood used for 

 interior work, since it neither stains the wood nor gives off an unpleasant odor. 



Descriptions are given of a large number of fungus diseases and insect pests 

 attacking wood, together with suggestions for their control, and a bibliography 

 of important literature on this subject. 



The comparative durability of oak and beech railroad ties is discussed. The 

 creosoted beech is said to be more durable even than the heartwood of the 

 creosoted oak. Consideration is also given to the methods of application, the 

 qualities of a good antiseptic and the facility of impregnation of various hard- 

 woods and conifers with carbolineum avenarius, with special attention to the 

 beech both on account of its abundance and importance as a commercial wood, 

 and because of its proneness to decay when untreated. 



The text is accompanied by several plates showing the effect of various 

 preservatives on the wood treated. 



The article concludes with a contribution by M. Mer on the value of barking 

 or ringing trees some time previous to cutting in order to prevent decay. 

 Experimental work along this line is noted to show that barking the tree 

 renders the sapwood more durable and less subject to fungus attack. 



The strength of ■wood as influenced by moisture, H. D. Tiemann ( V. fi. 

 Dept. Agr., Forest Serv. Circ. JOS, pp. Ji2, figs. 6). — In order to secure data with 

 regard to the physical efl'ects of moisture upon woods, an investigation has 

 been conducted at the Yale Forest Scliool laboratouy during the past 3 years 

 in which several thousand mechanical tests were made on specially prepared 

 material. The principal species tested were longleaf pine, red spruce, and 

 chestnut. The main tests were made in compression parallel to the grain, 

 bending, shearing, and compression at right angles to the grain. The methods 

 of conducting the tests, together with the princiiial results secured, have been 

 previously described (E. S. R., IS, p. 743). 



The present circular contains a summarized statement of the results obtained 

 both with the species above named and with subsequent tests upon loblolly 

 pine, red gum, Douglas fir, Norway pine, and tamarack. The results are 

 further explained l)y numerous tables and graphical diagrams. Among the 

 phases here considered are the fiber-saturation point, a summary of moisture- . 

 strength relations, shrinkage, effect of casehardening, effect of the process of 

 drying upon wood, and eft'ect of sniierheating. The equation for the moisture- 

 density-strengtli relation for longleaf pine, as well as numerous moisture- 

 strength reduction tables for the various species tested, are also given. 



Observations on the influence of frost on the diameter of living trees, 

 J, Friedrich (Ccntbl. Gesam. Forstw., 33 (1907), No. 5, pp. 185-192) .—The 

 author has conducted investigations for a great many years concerning the 

 influence of weather and climate on tree growth. The reports on this subject, 

 published in 1897, have been noted (E. S. R., 9. p. 562). 



In the present report a brief account is given of the author's investigations 

 on the influence of frost upon the diameter of living trees, and the results are 

 presented in tabular and graphical form. Actual measurements were taken of 

 several trees twice daily from December 15, 1905, to February 17, 1906. The 

 time of observation, temperature, and variation in diameter are indicated." 



