NOTES AND QUERIES. Ill 



with planks of all descriptions. If a block of any valuable wood 

 (say ;,^ I o worth) measuring 12 feet in length and 2x2 feet in 

 width, is split at both ends to the depth of only 4 inches, the loss 

 amounts to iis. i^d. Now, it is claimed that if this preser- 

 vative is used and both ends are coated with the same (which 

 means in this case an outlay of 2 id.) the saving effected on one 

 single log amounts to los. iid. Considering that thousands of 

 logs lose part of their value through splitting at the ends, it is 

 obvious that an enormous economy could be effected. 



As it penetrates but very little into the surface of the timber, 

 and as it does not injure the wood in any way (but on the 

 contrary keeps it in good condition), there are no drawbacks to 

 fear. It has already been used in manufactories of agricultural 

 implements, in the construction of mills, in match manufactories, 

 shipbuilding works, forestry work, etc., etc., with the greatest 

 success. We had the opportunity a few days ago of inspecting 

 logs that had been treated by this preservative, and similar wood 

 in its natural state, the former had not a crack in it, whilst the 

 wood that had not undergone the preserving process was split 

 at the ends in all directions. 



Our readers can obtain further particulars of the London 

 agent, Mr A. W. Christin, Peninsular House, 4 Monument St., 

 E. C. — Indian Forester, from Timber Trades Jour ?ial. 



Effect of Moisture on Wood. 



In his Report on the trade of Philadelphia for 1906, Mr Consul 

 Powell states that the United States Government forest service 

 has, during the last three years, been making a thorough study 

 of the influence of moisture on the strength of wood, and that 

 the chief points presented by the study are : — 



1. The relation of moisture to strength follows a definite law 

 which can be graphically expressed. Proper drying very greatly 

 increases the strength of all kinds of wood, the amount of 

 increase in strength depending upon the species and the dryness. 

 The increased strength given to green wood by thoroughly 

 drying it is so great that it will surprise many. For example, 

 the strength of a piece of unseasoned red spruce may be 

 increased over 400 per cent, by a thorough drying at the 

 temperature of boiling water. Strength decreases again, how- 

 ever, as the wood re-absorbs moisture. Air-dried wood protected 



