Wood Preserving Department 



By E. a. Sterling 



Wood Preserving Expert 



THE twelfth annual meeting of the American Wood 

 Preservers' Association will be held at the Hotel 

 Sherman, Chicago, January 18, 19, 20, 1916. The 

 program will be devoted largely to the reports of stand- 

 ing committees on Preservatives, Specitications for the 

 Purchase and Preservation of Treatable Timber, Wood 

 Block Paving, Plant Operation, and Service Tests, the 

 latter under the three divisions of cross ties, wood block 

 paving and bridge and structural timber. In addition to 

 the committee reports, addresses and papers will be pre- 

 sented on pertinent subjects. Full information and ad- 

 vance copies of committee reports may be obtained before 

 the meeting from F. J. Angier, Secretary-Treasurer, Bal- 

 timore, Md. 



In addition to the many activities in the way of estab- 

 lishing standard practice in the use of preservatives and 

 treating processes, and in keeping the industry informed 

 of progress and developments, the American Wood Pre- 

 servers' Association publishes a house organ. Wood Pre- 

 serving. This is edited by C. C. Schnatterbeck and is 

 issued quarterly under the direction of the Executive 

 Committee. It contains much of interest to all who are 

 interested in any phase of wood preservation, the sub- 

 scription price being only $1 {>er year. 



As an indication of the growing general recognition of 

 wood-preserving possibilities outside of the fully estab- 

 lished fields of railroad ties, bridge timbers, marine work 

 and wood-block paving and flooring, the question of its 

 application to retail uses was thoroughly discussed at a 

 recent meeting of the Southern Pine Association and 

 Retail Lumber Association Secretaries. While many dif- 

 ficulties arise in attempting to distribute pressure-treated 

 lumber in retail yards, it was the opinion that at least a 

 start should be made by promoting the local use of suit- 

 able preservatives for brush treatment, and by the instal- 

 laton of open-tank facilities in connection with retail 

 yards. With this, of course, would have to be proper 

 education of the consumer as to why treatment is advisa- 

 ble and how to apply it to best advantage. 



From the standpoint of the average consumer, reallv 

 more has been expected of wood and less done to help it 

 serve a great variety of uses than almost any other build- 

 ing material. It is a comparatively modern conception 

 that proper preservative treatment is practical and eco- 

 nomical on the farm and around the home. Good paint 

 is a good friend of lumber, and while not usually con- 



s to Meet Next Month 



sidered in that light, is the one protection against the 

 natural progress of decay which has been universally 

 used. Yet the well painted house has unprotected floor 

 beams in moist walls, door steps on wet ground, and 

 many inside surfaces and timbers which are continually 

 exposed to conditions favorable to decay. The wonderful 

 service which wood has given during all the years, with 

 meagre or no thought to the factors which destroy, brings 

 into greater prominence the possibilities of preservative 

 treatment under the present day desire for permanence 

 and elimination of waste. No one expects unprotected 

 steel to do anything but rust, concrete is waterproofed 

 and its surface protected from abrasion and disintegra- 

 tion, fabrics are shielded from the elements, while wood 

 has largely been left to shift for itself. The application 

 of wood preserving methods to the every day uses of 

 lumber, where it needs protection from decay, is in keep- 

 ing with modern ideas. 



Closely related to preservative treatment against decay 

 i.- the development of fire retardant materials and pro- 

 cesses, particularly for shingles. While only 27 per cent 

 of all fires spread to adjoining buildings, and individual 

 carelessness and character of contents, rather than the 

 material of which buildings are built, are responsible for 

 most fires, it is an additional measure of safety to have 

 fire retardant shingle roofs. Dr. Herman von Schrenk, 

 who has for several years been testing all available ma- 

 terials, recently announced that the long search for a sat- 

 isfactory fire retardant was practically ended. Materials 

 have now been found which effectively protect shingle 

 roofs from sparks and brands, and prevent the spread of 

 a fire on such fire-proofed wood. Almost simultaneously 

 the Forest Service announced the development of a fire- 

 proofing chemical. These same materials, in most cases, 

 act to prevent decay as well as fire. 



DOMESTIC WILLOW CULTURE 



In view of the present war in Europe and a consequent 

 cessation of most of the hitherto imported supply, do- 

 mestic willow culture has within a year assumed an im- 

 portance which it has not had before. Planting already 

 done in Maryland points to willow culture as a success- 

 ful enterprise, of which a study and report are at this 

 time being made. The study should result in better 

 methods for the grower, and it is the aim of the report to 

 give such information and encouragement to both present 

 and prospective planters in this State as may induce them 

 to take advantage of existing opportunities in osier 

 culture. 



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