14 FARMERS’ BULLETIN 159, 
platforms are roofed over and the wooden pillars supporting the roof 
are sometimes raised slightly off from. the planking on iron rests. 
This prevents dampness, decay, and attack by white ants at the base 
(fig. 12). In other cases these pillars are set on a concrete base to 
one side of the planking, where they are not affected if the wooden 
boards of the platform decay. 
In the construction of greenhouses, iron frames and concrete work 
should be used in place of woodwork wherever possible, as this wood- 
work is often seriously injured by termites owing to the warm moist 
atmosphere maintained throughout the year. The wooden uprights 
supporting the wooden plant benches should never be set on or in 
the ground but should rest on stone, bricks, or concrete above the 
Fria. 12.—Properly laid platform planking and foundations for pillars, Falls Church, Va.: A, 
- concrete base; B, stringer; C, planking; D, iron rest; F, pillar. (Original.) 
surface of the ground. Where woodwork is necessary, wood impreg- 
nated with a 1 per cent solution of bichlorid of mercury should be 
employed. 
All decaying wood in the vicinity of buildings should be removed 
and the breeding places of the insects destroyed. 
Buildings on recently cleared woodland, unless the foregoing pre- 
cautions are heeded, arc especially liable to attack by white ants 
because of the presence of decaying wood and humus in the soil. 
REMEDIAL MEASURES. 
LOCATION OF DAMAGE, 
As has been stated, it may be difficult to eliminate and stop further 
damage by white ants when once these insects have become estab- 
lished in the woodwork of a building. The approximate point of 
