^gS The Journal of Forestry. 



SiE,— I have read with much interest the various suggestions for the 

 preservation of wood posts from rot. At page 428 "A. B." says, in 

 speaking of the steeping of posts in corrosive sublimate, '• That this is 

 intended as a preservative against rot many doubt." I think "A. B." 

 means that many doubt its capabiUty of preventing rot in wood, I 

 assisted to erect a fence of six wires in the west of Stirlingshire in 

 1857. The posts were sawn from larch sixty years old, cut into posts 

 or stobs 4 in. by 3 in., and were all well seasoned before being used. 

 In 1868 more than half of them were rotted over by the surface of 

 the ground. The soil is a compact sandy loam. At the same time a 

 fence of four wires was erected on a neighljouring estate on the top of 

 an old turf dyke. The posts were split (not sawn) from larch not above 

 five inches in diameter, and in many instances less, and then kyanized. 

 In 1869 I examined a number of them by removing the earth from 

 around them and taking a chip off them at and below the surface of the 

 ground. I found them to be quite sound and hard, and not the least 

 appearance of any decay. 



Upon an estate belonging to the same proprietor as the last, a fence 

 had been erected with kyanized and iiQt kyanized posts placed alter- 

 nately. In 1869 the posts that had not been kyanized had been 

 replaced twice. I cannot say when the fence was first erected. The 

 clerk of works on the estate had been twenty-two years there in 1869, and 

 it was erected before his time ; but he stated that the kyanized posts were 

 still good. 



There can be little doubt that the process of kyanizing is a preventive 

 against rot in wood. As to the cost I cannot speak, but I may be able to 

 do so soon. Antdrew Slater, 



Rose Cottage^ Loft us-in- Cleveland, 6th October^ 1877. Forester. 



Sir, — Your correspondents Mr. Baxter and " A. B.," in your last issue, 

 expressed a desire to know the results of my experience in the casing of 

 posts with lead or zinc. I regret to inform them that I have not seen 

 the plan practically carried out, but I certainly will give it a trial should 

 a favourable opportunity present itself, and I believe it will prove more 

 efficacious than any of the methods yet recommended in the Journal. 



" A. B." seems to think that the nails I proposed for fixing the casing 

 woaild be likely to give way. In my opinion those above the surface 

 would last as long as any other, and if they gave way underground, 

 the adhesiveness of the white-lead and the surrounding soil would keep the 

 casing intact. He is also dubious as to the durability of white -lead under- 

 ground, but when it is separated from the soil by the casing it will retain 

 a 11 its qualities and remain durable for any length of time. However, when 

 in a soft state, if it and the soil came into direct contact, the latter would 

 extract the oil from the lead, and it would then become comparatively useless. 



A. Slater, Jun. 



Wyesiile Cottage, Lancaster, Octoler \Wi, 1877. Overseer. 



