114 



of decay. In fact, to the depth of a half inch or more the decayed 

 matter was quite soggy, and in one case a kixuriant fungus 

 growth appeared at the surface of the ground where the concrete 

 began. 



It is quite plain that the concrete tends to hold moisture at the 

 surface of the post, thus hastening decay. From this experiment, 

 which is now under way two years, it is plain that the creosoting 

 and tarring of the posts are the only treatments worth consider- 

 ing, and of these two I would recommend creosoting as the best 

 and most practical. 



In every case the greatest amount of decay was noted where 

 posts were set in wet ground, as was, of course, to be expected. 

 Where posts were "-.v-irrounded by stone which permitted the 

 moisture to dissipate freely, all posts of whatever treatment were 

 in a fair state of preservation. 



All of the posts reported upon in the above had their bark re- 

 moved before setting. This practice is to be highly recommended. 

 Posts not so treated were more or less affected by borers and pre- 

 sented a bad appearance generally. 



It was further noted that wherever the posts checked badly, 

 especially at the top, the work of borers was active. I would 

 suggest that it might be a good plan to dip the ends of all posts 

 in tar to prevent excessive checking. 



The cost of dipping the posts three feet in creosote was about 

 \2y2C each; the cost of dipping in hot tar is a little less, say 

 about 10c. 



The cost of peeling oft' the bark when posts are green is about 

 -5c each. 



Trusting that these data may be of some practical value, I am. 



Very truly yours, 



F. G. Krauss, 

 Professor of Agronomy. 



NEXT RUBBER EXHIBITION. 



In this number will be found an article from the Rubber World 

 Supplement on the international rubber exhibition in London in 

 1914, for which, with other data on the subject, the Forester is 

 indebted to ]\Ir. Wilbur A. Anderson, secretary of the Hawaiian 

 Rul)ber Growers' Association. ]\Ir. Anderson is a member of 

 the advisory committee of the London exhibition, of which King 

 George is patron and Sir Henry A. Rlakc, G. C. M. G., president. 

 Medals are offered for the best Ccara rubber, the best sisal hemp 

 and the best Robusta coffee, all of which might Jiave an interest 

 for Hawaii. In forwarding the material referred to, ^^fr. An- 

 <lerson, writing on ]\Iay 2, says: 



