Editorial Notes. 529 



The eminent firm of James Boyd and Sons, liorticultural builders 

 and heating engineers, Paisley, have adopted the process in seasoning 

 and preserving the wood they use in their extensive hothouse building 

 operations throughout the country. For the performance of the pro- 

 cess upon such a large quantity of timber as they require in their 

 extensive business, Mr. Gardner has erected, at their works at Paisley, 

 a large wooden tank or box, 50 feet long by 6 feet wide, and 6 feet 

 deep, closed on the bottom, sides, and one end, the other end being 

 moveable, so as to give easy access to the tank. A small iron pipe is 

 led from a steam boiler in use at the works to the tank, and is con- 

 tinued by a copper pipe of about one inch in diameter, with holes 

 pierced in it at short intervals, laid along the bottom of the tank from 

 end to end, and which is protected by wooden spars from the timber 

 which is laid over it to be preserved. The tank is then filled up with 

 timber, laid solid — it may be either in the log, deals, battens, or plank, 

 but not wrought timber. When full the tank is covered with planks, 

 laid across it edge to edge closely, but not fastened down, the end 

 being closed and the steam turned on at about 20 lbs. pressure, and 

 this continues for forty -eight hours. After about twenty-four hours 

 steam has been turned on, Mr. Gardner, who has been advised before- 

 hand, sends one of his assistants, who introduces the chemicals 

 through the steam pipe to the wood. The timber is thereby completely 

 saturated with the chemical substance, even large logs being thoroughly 

 penetrated to the core. The process does not discolour the wood, nor 

 give any disagreeable smell to the timber. After being taken out of 

 the tank it has to be either dried in a stove, or by exposure to 

 the weather for a fortnight or so, when it is ready for use. 



By subjecting it to a second chemical process, timber required for 

 extreme cases can be rendered absolutely proof against decay by filling 

 up the pores with chemicals. Mr. Gardner erects the tank at his 

 own expense, and supplies and applies all the chemicals, which, of 

 course, are known only to himself, Messrs. Boyd and Sons supplying 

 the steam and paying a royalty, according to the size of the tank, on 

 the cubic contents of the timber operated upon. 



The process is now in use among Railway Engineers, Architects, 

 Cabinet-makers, House Builders, Coal Masters, Farmers, and Estate 

 Agents, &c., and is perfectly adaptable to all kinds of timber. It is 

 quickly taking the place of creosote, because it is, unlike that sub- 

 stance, a perfect preservative of the wood to its core, and because it is 

 quite cleanly and does not discolour the wood. The process has been 

 patented in nearly all Continental countries, and arrangements are now 

 being concluded in these countries for its introduction and use. It well 

 deserves the careful consideration of all who are in any way interested 

 in the seasoning of timber and rendering it as endurable as possible. 



