8 QUEBRACHO WOOD AND ITS SUBSTITUTES. 



acts as a preservative, and to which its extraordinary durability has 

 been ascribed. 



The sapwood of quebracho, forming about one-third of the whole, 

 is nearly white. The heartwood, when freshly cut, is dark cherry-red, 

 but becomes much darker with age. It is fine-grained and takes a 

 beautiful polish. When thoroughly seasoned it does not warp, nor 

 is it likely to check during seasoning. 



USES OF THE WOOD. 

 GENERAL. 



Quebracho wood is one of the principal commercial products of 

 South America. Though its qualities fit it for use in many ways, its 

 value for tanning extract and crossties is so great that nearly the 

 entire annual cut is put to one or the other of these uses. In Argen- 

 tina, however, where it is commercially most important, quebracho 

 is employed for more purposes, though not in greater quantity, than 

 any other wood. 



There, because it is proof against decay, it finds place in wharves, 

 dry docks, and quays, and as fence posts, beams, and cross arms. It 

 is also used for bridge and ship building, general construction, fur- 

 niture, and interior finish. The timber is usually seasoned for from 

 two to four years before being used. 



CROSSTIES. 



Quebracho has been adopted throughout its range as a standard 

 crosstie timber, and is gradually replacing the cast-iron ties once 

 common. In Argentina quebracho ties for broad-gauge roads are 9 

 feet long, 10 inches wide, and 8 inches thick, and sell for from $2 to 

 $2.50 each. The wood is so hard that spikes can not be driven into 

 it, and holes must be bored clear through a tie for bolts to fasten the 

 rails. About 18 quebracho ties are got from the average acre, a 

 yield which appears small when contrasted with the 40 to 60 first- 

 class white oak or pine ties obtained from an acre of our native 

 forest. The difference is compensated, however, when it is remem- 

 bered that the life of a quebracho tie may be practically indefinite, 

 while that of our best native ties is seldom greater than eight years. 

 Practically all the quebracho cut for ties is used in South America. 

 Quebracho ties have been tried experimentally in the United States, 

 but were found to lack resiliency and to crack badly with frost. The 

 expense of boring holes for bolts was also another item against them. 



TANNIN EXTRACT. 



The heartwood of quebracho yields from 20 to 24 per cent of tannin, 

 the sapwood from 3 to 4 per cent, and the bark from 6 to 8 per cent. 

 It is this remarkable production, varying in different parts of the 



