NOTES ON CREOSOTING. 1 79 



Now as timber creosoted by the pressure method takes up 

 most creosote, it was anticipated that it would take up less water 

 than the timber treated by the immersion method, with its 

 smaller creosote content. The comparison column shows that 

 this was not the case. The results are not conclusive, as one 

 experiment only was performed, but they suggest that an 

 elaborate creosoting plant is not really necessary, provided 

 seasoned timber is used. There is no real difficulty about this 

 if the timber is always cut one season in advance, so that it may 

 be left to dry until the next season. 



We may sum up the merits of the different methods as 

 follows : — 



1. On very large estates where it may not be possible to 

 allow a long period for drying, owing to much timber being 

 required, the pressure method is the best. In it the operation is 

 more quickly performed than in the boiling method, there is no 

 danger of fire, and as a rule the wood is more thoroughly 

 permeated, and is thus more thoroughly protected from decay- 

 producing organisms. 



2. On comparatively small estates, where a large expenditure 

 on plant is not justifiable, the boiling method is the best. 



3. On very small estates the immersion method is best, and 

 may be managed so as to be quite successful. 



The cost of creosoting naturally varies with the price of the 

 product, but with creosote at 3d. a gallon the cost may be put 

 down as approximately 2|d. per cubic foot, or, in the case of 

 fencing timber, at id. a post and id. a rail. The quantity 

 required per cubic foot varies greatly, but with the pressure 

 method | gallon per cubic foot may be said to be ample. The 

 weight of a gallon of creosote is about 10 lbs. The limit of 

 durability of creosoted timber is difficult to determine, as large 

 quantities of creosoted wood used for fencing purposes, railway 

 sleepers, etc., have been found in good state after having been 

 in the soil for 25 to 30 years. In general, creosote may be said 

 to quadruple the life of the timber. 



As regards uses, it may be said that creosoted timber answers 

 well for all kinds of outdoor work, including not only fences but 

 also many kinds of buildings. 



