14 THE ''BLUING" AND THE "RED ROT" OF THE PINE. 



given in the following table. The number of pieces used for each 

 test is given in a separate column. It will be noted that the heart- 

 wood pieces were kept distinct from the pieces cut from the sapwood. 



Compression strength in pounds per square inch. 



Cross-breaking strength in pounds per square inch. 



The figures given in this table show that the "blue" timber is 

 slightly stronger, both when compressed endwise and when broken 

 crosswise. This result is probably due to the fact that the "blue" 

 wood was slightly drier than the green wood when the tests were 

 made. It is scarcely probable that the presence of fungus threads in 

 the cells of the wood in any way strengthens the fiber. However 

 that may be, these tests show beyond doubt that for all practical pur- 

 poses the " blue " wood is as strong as the green wood. Under the con- 

 ditions now existing in the Black Hills Forest, the "blue" wood is cer- 

 tainly very much stronger than the green wood. It is in effect sea- 

 soned timber. The trees have stood in the most favorable position 

 possible for drying, with thousands of holes in the bark made by the 

 beetles through which the water could escape, assisted by the winds 

 which constantly sweep by the trunks. Where wood is used, as it 

 unfortunately is in these days, almost immediately after it is cut from 

 the forest, the "blue" wood is certainly as good so far as its strength 

 is concerned as the green wood, and ought not to be discriminated 

 against because of supposed weakness. 



LASTING POWER OF THE "BLUE" WOOD. 



The wood of the bull pine is one which is not very resistant to 

 decay-producing fungi. Under ordinary conditions, such as are found 



