PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 495 



is a new enterprise, a new article of commerce, and an advance in 

 the arts and sciences. 



Respectfully, 



Yours truly, 



BARTON H. JENKS. 



P. S. — All the samples, sent you, are of pine wood, costing $55 

 per 1,000 feet; and the cost of dyeing (excepting the six aniline 

 colors), $10 per 1,000 feet. The cost of the six aniline colors are 

 much more, being alcohol dyes — all the others are water dyes. 

 The wood is perfectly dried, after being dyed, by the exhausting 

 or vacuum process, before being removed from the receiver. 



I am experimenting with various hard woods, such as maple, 

 ash, dogwood, &c., and will send you samples of these woods also. 



B. H. J. 



The reading of this letter and the examination of the accom- 

 panying specimens drew out the following remarks: 



Mr. T. D. Stetson said there was an immense dilference in the 

 adaptability of articles to take dyes. The specimens here shown, 

 although very tine, seem to prove that wood does not take brilliant 

 colors. 



Dr. Stevens said he had seen whitewood and pine dyed the 

 most brilliant colors. 



Mr. I. R. Hudson remarked that he had seen some very brilliant 

 whitewood, colored through, and of a very rich color, made 

 in Centre street, in this city. 



Mr. S. H. Maynard said he had seen the wood of the apple and 

 pear tree stained thoroughly through, but they are almost useless 

 for the purposes for which the finer kind of woods are used, as 

 they are soft and easily dented. 



Dr. R. Rowell stated that some of the partitions of the Crystal 

 Palace were made of pine wood, simply varnished over, and they 

 looked very fine. He had seen furniture made of chestnut wood, 

 and it had a splendid appearance. 



Dr. J. W. Richards said that black walnut was once considered 

 a useless wood, but now it is very valuable — a log of it is worth 

 more than one of mahogany. 



Mr. Stevens stated that large quantities of maple wood are sent 

 from here to Europe every year. * 



