REID ON THE ECONOMY OF TIMBER. 333 



3. To preserve its elasticity. 



4. To prevent shrinking and warping in drying. 



5. To prevent the cracks and splits that are common in thick 

 lumber. 



6. To confer on it non-inflammability owing to the heat produc- 

 ing a coating of glass around each fibre, thus preventing access of air. 



7. To make timber at the same time a good non-conductor of 

 heat. 



8. To prevent the joinings in frame work from giving away as 

 is now the case, long before the timber is much weakened by the 

 fire, w^hich expedites the work of destruction, and endangers fire- 

 men's lives. 



9. To make fireproof Mansard E-oofs. 



10. To have cheap and good houses, with low fire insurance 

 rates. 



11. To make stronger and more lasting wooden ships. 



12. To almost prevent that awful calamity — fire at sea. 



