104 Forest Club Annual 



Poles were seasoned in sets of 25 under various chosen 

 conditions. The results of these experiments are as follows : 



1. Poles cut at the same time lose weight at very nearly 

 the same rate, generally within 5 per cent and sometimes within 

 10 per cent. As the seasoning reaches its final stages this 

 difference tends to become zero. 



2. Exposure to sunlight alone does not materially increase 

 the rate of seasoning. 



3. Exposure to air currents makes a material difference 

 after 3 months seasoning. Good air circulation may make a 

 difference of 10 per cent in the stage of seasoning after three 

 months. 



4. Poles should be piled on skids, to allow a free air cir- 

 culation on all sides, at least a foot above ground free from 

 heavy growth. 



5. Soaking in water from two weeks to three months does 

 not result in any gain in time of seasoning. Soaked poles dry 

 out much more rapidly but do not pass unsoaked poles in stage 

 of seasoning. 



6. Direction of the poles on skids has no appreciable effect 

 on rate of loss of weight. 



THE PRESERVATIVE TREATMENT OF WESTERN YELLOW PINE. 



While in many ways admirably adapted for use as a pole 

 timber, Western Yellow Pine in the natural state lacks one 

 important quality necessary for such use. That is, durability 

 in contact with the soil. 



Experience in this country and especially in Europe con- 

 vinces us that if certain chemicals or oils can be introduced into 

 the species at hand, the increase of its life under conditions 

 favoring decay, is a certainty. So effective are such treatments 

 upon susceptible species of timber that it is of prime importance 

 to ascertain the possibilities of impregnating an untried species 

 with the various preservatives. 



The object of treating experiments is to secure the following 

 information upon the species : 



1. Will the species handled absorb preservatives? 



2. What quantities of such preservative will it take? 



3. How can the quantity be controlled? 



4. What is the cost of treating in each case? 



5. What is the added life due to each treament? 



6. How can poles be most economically handled during 

 treatments ? 



7. What method of treating can be best employed to se- 

 cure the right absorption of each preservative? 



