494 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



spiracles or pores of the wood, and then injecting into these void 

 places or spaces, any snitable coloring matter which will thus 

 permeate every pore and strike through the body of the wood, 

 by Avhich means lumber in the rough can be colored to imitate 

 the beautiful woods and afterwards wrought in the various forms 

 required. 



The apparatus consists in having a strong vessel similar to a 

 steam boiler, Avith a large door through which the wood to be 

 treated is put into the vessel. This opening should be closed air- 

 tight after the wood has been put into the vessel. The air is then 

 exhausted from the vessel by means of a powerful air-pump, until 

 the air has been expelled or drawn from the spiracles or pores of 

 the wood. The coloring matter in solution in then introduced in 

 the vessel which will permeate the substance of the wood and till 

 the spaces made vacant by the exhausting process. The wood 

 can then be removed from the vessel and properly dried, or the 

 vessel can again be exhausted by the pump removing the coloring 

 matter, and any dampness that may be in the wood, and then it is 

 ready for the market. 



All the well known dyes and analine colors can be used which 

 will give the greatest permanaucy of color. 



If desired, various colors may be used in the same piece of 

 wood, and at the same time, so as to dye the piece in a variegated 

 manner throughout its substance. 



This process will also deprive the wood — which has not been 

 thoroughly seasoned — of gummy juices, and allow the coloring 

 solution to fill their places. 



This invention is applicable to the dying of other vegetable 

 substances, and also to the dying of animal substances, such as 

 woolen cloths, leather, &c. 



I have discovered that the woods of my experiments contain 

 800 to 1,000 times their volume of air and gases. 



The experiments have been made on blocks of wood twelve 

 inches long and five inches square, from which I have cut off the 

 samples sent you. 



I am erecting works to dye timber twelve inches square and 

 eight feet long, to be used in my business; but for commerce, 

 works should have a capacity for taking in much larger pieces of 

 timber. 



I desire the matter may l)e brought before 3 our Institute, as it 



