Anti-dry-rot Powers of Subcarbonate of Sod a^ S^c. 435 



or perhaps still more quickly by immersion in solution of 

 soap and water. This was the case equally with muriate of 

 tin, and some other solutions that were tried. 



The objection, then, just mentioned will apply to wood 

 that may necessarily be exposed to the rain, or which may 

 require cleaning by soap and water*. This is the case with 

 the deck of a ship and the floors of dwelling houses as at 

 present constructed. 



It is however to be remembered that even in these cases 

 only one surface of the wood is exposed to such action : so 

 that it seems very doubtful whether the combustibility could 

 be more than very partially restored by such action of rain or 

 soap and water. And on the deck of a ship theAnti-fire Pre- 

 ventive Company's composition f, or some coarse description 

 of paint or varnish, might be used to prevent the contact of 

 rain. The same remark applies to the floors of houses, ex- 

 cept where the French mode of rZ?7/-cleaning and polishing 

 could be adopted, or where carpets might be used. 



But such seem the principal, or the only exceptions to the 

 general advantage to be derived from the adoption of anti- 

 inflammable wood. A great part of the wood used in build- 

 ing is placed between the floors, or on the sides of houses, which 

 are usually painted. Of course in either of these cases wood 

 prepared by subcarbonate of soda will i-etain its anti-inflam- 

 mable properties unimpaired. And indeed with regard to the 

 floors themselves, if after the manner of the French we paid 

 more attention to the beauty of these than of our carpets, not 

 having them except in the ordinary rooms so generally made 

 of deal, wood prepared after the present suggestions could 

 be still more extensively employed. Those who object to the 



* This remark applies equally to kyanked wood. We have in many ex- 

 periments found the corrosive sublimate to be removed by merely im- 

 mersing such wood in water, or particularly i«//-water, for a few days. 

 Yet this fact seems quite overlooked by architects, and those concerned 

 in rendering wood proof against the dry rot by Mr. Kyan's process. 



t Lately patented. In this case it would not be necessary to use the 

 composition for the roof or sides of the cabin. Great credit is due to 

 the patentees of this invention for the liberal way in which they made 

 their experiments before the public, but I should not be satisfied without 

 further trial that the composition will adhere even to the walls, much less 

 to the to|) of a room, when combustion to a certain extent is going on in 

 the room. It appears to crack, and conseijuently to fall off, under the in- 

 fluence of a tolerably strong heat. If it be not influenced by wet, it 

 would do |)robably for the dechs of ships and for iXii^Jlovrs of dwelling- 

 houses and public buildings. However, it remains to be seen what eflect 

 much friction would have on it. 



Since the above was written a second experiment has been made at 

 Manchester, said to have been still more successful. 



2 F2 



