Preserving Fence-posts. 407 



the neglect of wliicli has a deteriorating effect on the value 

 of home-grown timber. My own experience in supplying home- 

 grown timber for all sorts of rural erections has been very extensive, 

 and I have invariably found the raw material used without the least 

 consideration being given to its seasoning. Wood encased in a 

 coating of plaster, or sub-planted in a mothery atmosphere, such as 

 surrounds green timber giving off its gases, must soon fall a victim 

 to internal decay through the fermentation of the moisture it 

 contains. 



The proper seasoning of timber before being used in any sort 

 of structure is far more important than the season of the year it 

 is felled in, kind of timber used, or preventatives employed. There 

 are paints, washes, and heterogeneous steeps recommended for pre- 

 serving posts, but each are comparatively costly, and only partially 

 successful. One great objection to the application of solutions exter- 

 nally rests on the fact that the sap being confined accelerates decom- 

 position in the interior. Most foresters must have observed this. 

 What I would recommend with fencing posts is, the materials, when 

 felled, to be directly sawn into posts and stored under sheds thoroughly 

 ventilated, where they will remain at least a year exposed to " sun 

 and wind." The neck or part between wind and water of each post 

 should be slowly charred over a strong fire — slowly, because our 

 principal means heating the timber thoroughly to the heart, so as 

 to extract any moisture which may be still lodged at the centre, and 

 hardening a crust on the surface of the posts. Afterwards, to prevent 

 the posts absorbing water, they should be well coated with coal tar, 

 having its acid destroyed \vith fresh quicklime. The tar should be 

 thoroughly boiled to evaporate all watery matter, and applied boiling 

 hot. A large tank holding the posts set on end, and filled with the 

 scalding tar from a boiler, answers the purpose very well. Of course 

 the upper half of the posts can be painted when placed in situ. I am 

 fully convinced coal tar, properly applied to thoroughly seasoned 

 timber, is far more effectual in preserving posts than creosoting 

 poisoning, kyanising, or all the paraphernalia of iron prongs, sheet- 

 iron wrappers (an American invention), &c., &c. One great recom- 

 mendation in favour of the above process, is that it requires no skilled 

 labour, and the cost is a mere trifle. 



