1 08 Canadian Forestry Journal. 



themsclvfs or secrete a dye that stains the wood. Some woods 

 are much more resistant to attack than others. One of the chief 

 causes of this is the presence of an antiseptic substance in the 

 tissues that was produced when the plant was in Hfe. 



The only thing needed to render all cut woods immune from 

 attack is to treat them with some preservative that will mechani- 

 cally prevent the entrance of fungi and bacteria, or that will act 

 as an antiseptic. From the practical side, such treatment must 

 not only effect that end, but to say the least, should not injure 

 the physical properties of the wood essential to wear, and must 

 be within a certain cost. A few experiments have been made, 

 and with some success. Thus it has been found that the life of 

 white oak may be lengthened out to about 15 years after treat- 

 ment with creosote and other preservatives. Untreated, they last 

 about 10 years. Similarly some of the softer woods have been 

 treated with advantage, indeed, some otherwise quite unfit for 

 railroad ties, have been made to take the place of the rapidly dis- 

 appearing oak. These experiments are hopeful, and give promise 

 of an economical production of serviceable woods in an age in 

 which economy is absolutely necessary if the supply is to be 

 maintained. 



The subject (of forestry) is of importance far beyond the 

 general understanding of the public. The growth of population 

 in the United States has practically covered all the land which 

 can be cultivated with a profit without artificial moisture. Irri- 

 gation and forestry are the two subjects which are to have a 

 greater effect on the future prosperity of the United States than 

 anv other public questions either within or without Congress. — 

 Jas. J. Hill, President of the Great Northern Railway, in Report 

 of American Forest Congress. 



