510 JOURNAL OF FORESTRY 



As regards rot in buildings, it has been found out that with a tem- 

 perature approximating 10u° F. and a high humidily the mycelia 

 of certain rot fungi can be killed, contrary to existing opinion. For 

 preservative treatment of building material zinc chloride and sodium 

 fluoride are found better than creosote. Rules for restricting the 

 spread of fungi in lumber have been elaborated. 



Tests as regards the relative durability of different wood materials 

 are going on. The finding is made that durability of conifer does not 

 depend directly upon the resin content. 



Ten different fire-proofing materials have been tested, three of 

 which were found to retard ignition of wood, which, however, after 

 ignition, was completely consumed. Data indicating the relation be- 

 tween combustible contents of a room and the cubic feet of air 

 necessary to destroy them were obtained. 



A method of distinguishing longleaf pine from loblolly and short- 

 leaf was based upon the diameter of the pith and the second annual 

 ring. Over a thousand samples of wood were submitted for identi- 

 fication. 



As regards wood preservation, sodium fluoride, as a preventive of 

 sap stain, is under promising trial, and also for railroad ties and mine 

 timbers. 



An attempt to identify coal-tar and water-gas creosote by physical 

 and chemical means has failed. 



Some 66 preservatives were investigated, as regards their toxicity ; 

 among these, water-gas tar and coal tar were found fully equal. 



The value of chestnut oak for railroad ties is material!}- decreased 

 by finding that it treats like red oak instead of like white oak. 



For preservation of piling, coal-tar creosote and high boiling 

 creosote fractions IV and V have so far shown satisfactory behavior. 

 Creosote containing a metal, such as iron and copper, improves its 

 effect. 



Wood-block paving fillers and wood-block floors in factories, etc., 

 have been under investigation. Creosoted wood staves for silos proved 

 that no injurious effect to the appetite or health of cattle was produced. 



In the direction of pulp and paper investigation a number of find- 

 ings have been made. The use of spent hemlock bark for felts gives 

 promise of being immensely important in supplanting 200,000 tons of 

 roofing felts made from rags, the price of rags having, due to the 

 war, risen to $72 per ton, 30 per cent of which can be substituted with 



