Treatment of Fence Posts 379 



remain in the tank until the preservative cools off, 

 or it is immediately transferred to another tank which 

 contains cold creosote. This cooling off is necessary, 

 as it causes a contraction of the remaining air and 

 moisture in the wood structure. This causes addi- 

 tional preservative to be drawn into the wood. 



Fence posts may be treated at any time of the year. 

 The time of the year posts are cut affects only the 

 seasoning, but not its durability. Posts cut in the 

 winter are more difficult to peel. Contrary to general 

 belief, winter cut posts contain more moisture and 

 hence require longer seasoning. All posts to be 

 treated must have all the bark removed. If the 

 posts are cut in the spring, the peeling of the bark 

 is very easy. Beveling the tops of treated posts 

 is also recommended. This is especially necessary 

 when the posts are treated at the butt end which 

 is stuck in the ground. 



