PRESERVING OF WOOD POSTS. 



Sir, — In jour last issue there is a coinmunicalion from Mv. Baxter on 

 the "Preserving of Wood Posts; " and he gives, as a means of assisting 

 in solving the question, a system he adopted with a fence the posts of 

 which had rotted through at the surface of the ground. 



It is impossible to form an idea as to the efficacy of his plan, as neither 

 the size nor form of prongs is given ; but if strong, substantial material 

 were used in their construction, I would not doubt their adaptation for 

 such a purpose, but fear it would come to be very expensive if the plan were 

 generally adopted, even if efficient prongs could be got for the price 

 quoted by him, viz., 6f d. 



The question, however, is the desirability of adopting some plan with 

 posts that are to be inserted in the ground, so that it may act as a pre- 

 ventive of decay where they are most liable to be affected. An excellent 

 method for that purpose is to encase the part of the posts at the surface of 

 the ground with sheet lead or zinc. It could be done at very little expense ; 

 and if the operation were carried out as follows, their lengthened dura- 

 bility would amply repay all outlay. 



The posts to be used should be carefully stripped of any bark that may 

 be upon them, and properly seasoned, a piece of zinc for each post must 

 be cut 18 inches long, the breadth to be regulated according to their cir- 

 cumference, and 2 inches extra allowed for overlap. A])ply a layer of 

 white-lead, about 1-lGth of an inch in thickness, 9 inches above and below 

 the ground level of the posts fix the zinc on the same with half-inch scrupper 

 nails, making it fit tightly round and overlap the joint (which must 

 also be covered with white-lead) 2 inches, closely nailing the whole to the 

 post. The lead that may have been squeezed out at the ends must be 

 taken off", and the ends and joints smoothed carefully over, care being taken 

 that no opening is left for water to get betwixt the wood and zinc. 



The above will only answer for posts that are to be sunk into the ground 

 with the spade, as the casing would get displaced if they were driven. 



Andkew Slater, Jux., 

 Wyreside Coif age, Lancaster, Fcr^tet; 



nth Au^/., 1877. 



