308 THE UTILISATION OF WOODLAND PKODUCE. 



its hardness and density without diminishing its tensile strength, 

 flexibility, and toughness, whilst also slightly decreasing its 

 inflammability. The timber is placed on trollies and let down 

 into a large tank (20 x 9J x 5 ft.) filled with a solution of syrup 

 or sugar, which is rapidly raised to boiling-point (212 F.) by 

 means of steam circulating through pipes, and then allowed to 

 cool down to 70 by passing water through the pipes ; and as 

 the timber cools, the solution is absorbed. The timber is 

 then stored in drying chambers at a temperature of 250 to 300, 

 and gradually allowed to cool. Conifers and Oak absorb 3 to 4, 

 Willow, Ash, Birch, Elm, and Sycamore 5 to 6, Beech 7J, and 

 Poplar 9 J Ibs. per cubic foot ; and Larch and Spruce, so difficult 

 to creosote, are as easily saccharised as Scots Pine. Thus treated, 

 Spruce should be well suited for telegraph and telephone posts, 

 &c. It is also claimed for this process that by the addition of 

 certain chemicals (of which alum is probably one) the timber is 

 rendered non-inflammable and fire-resisting. 



Dry-rot in timber, due to the saprophytic fungus, Merulius lacrymans, 

 appears to be gradually increasing, owing to the use of immature and 

 imperfectly seasoned wood. Infection taking place when felled timber 

 remains stored in the forest is first indicated by red stripes in the sawn 

 wood ; and if such wood be thoroughly seasoned, the mycelium is killed, 

 but if seasoning be imperfect, the latent mycelium resumes active growth 

 when the wood is used in building and exposed to dampness e.g. , as when 

 the ends of joists are built into a wall. But the fungus is also often found 

 in woody ards, and from such sources spores or portions of the spreading 

 mycelium are brought into buildings. Thorough ventilation is of import- 

 ance ; and the best preventive is painting with antinonnin, or with a 

 solution of corrosive sublimate in methylated spirit (6 oz. to 1 gallon). In 

 timber infected, the spread of the mycelium can be checked by applying 

 carbolic acid. 



Fireproofing of wood is also carried out by means of im- 

 pregnation with borates, silicates, and ammoniacal and other 

 volatile salts ; but, though it can be made non-inflammable, no 

 process has yet been discovered for rendering wood incombust- 



