Dry Rot in Timber. 55 



regular occupation, and a curious proof of the bad effect of such 

 a circumstance remains. There are two larders of equal size, 

 shape, and aspect, and fitted and finished in every way alike. 

 One is in all respects dry, healthy, and sound. The other is 

 musty and damp. In moist weather a sweat covers the walls, and 

 the water running down has furrowed the face of the plaster. 

 The spaces under the slate shelves are filled with a white 

 efflorescence, like wool, w'hich also covers part of the top of the 

 shelving. The only explanation of the difference seems to be 

 that the sound larder has been in constant use, while the other 

 has not been in use. 



Annan County Police Station. 



This building was erected under my own charge, and it is 

 the only one under review in which a damp-proof was introduced 

 covering the whole area. A few years after occupation of the 

 house commenced, in consequence of a report of the appearance 

 of dry rot, I visited and inspected the building, when the follow- 

 ing defects were disclosed : — In a passage on the ground floor, 

 leading to the office, about 5 feet in width, which was floored with 

 joisting and boarding, a linoleum carpet about 2 feet 6 inches wide 

 had been put down along the centre of the passage, and glued 

 down, leaving the borders uncovered. The result of such treat- 

 ment was that the joisting and boarding corresponding with the 

 length and width of the carpet had disappeared, leaving only a 

 little black dust, while the joists and boarding of the uncovered 

 borders remained uninjured. The apartments of the first and 

 second floors were carpeted with linoleum in a similar way, the 

 borders being left uncovered. In every case the flooring under 

 the carpets was injured. The hard surface of the boarding was 

 destroyed, and the wood had become soft and easily pierced with 

 the finger nail. The proof here is definite and unmistakeable of 

 the injurious effect of such methods of furnishing. No appear- 

 ance of fungoid growth was discovered, and either the disease was 

 undeveloped, or it may be doubtful whether in this case it is 

 properly classified as dry rot. 



I may offer a remark on the import of the cases before 

 described. The first two suggest the need of efficiently protecting 

 the water pipes. The outstanding circumstance common to the 

 other four cases is that the work attacked was new, or almost new 



