BUREAU OF FORESTRY. 529 



with a 150,000-pound Riehle testing machine and with the other 

 apparatus necessary for thorough work. 



At the Berkeley laboratory work in cooperation with the Univer- 

 sity of California began in April, 1903. The work during the year 

 included the testing of 56 Red Fir beams, the first step in a series of 

 investigations of Pacific coast timbers. The investigation has the 

 enthusiastic support of lumbermen, engineers, and manufacturers. 

 Two carloads of timber have been given to the laboratory as testing 

 material, and many times that amount has been promised when 

 needed. The timber is given free transportation by the railroads. 



Wood Preservation. 



The purpose of the work of the Bureau in wood preservation is to 

 determine the best methods for the seasoning of construction, rail- 

 road, and other timbers, and for increasing their durability by the use 

 of preservative processes. Particular attention is given to ascertain- 

 ing methods of treatment by which the employment of inferior woods 

 may be rendered profitable, and economy in the iise of woods of more 

 valuable kinds may thus be increased. The work has received through- 

 out the enthusiastic support of the railroad companies. They have 

 furnished free transportation to the agents of the Bureau; have pro- 

 vided material for experiment, and scales and other appliances ; have 

 transported material for treatment from place to place free of charge, 

 and in other ways have rendered notable assistance in the work. 



Studies to determine the best methods of seasoning Lodgepole Pine 

 railroad ties and the time required to season ties cut in diiferent 

 months have been carried on at Bozeman, Mont. One hundred ties 

 were weighed each month, immediately after they were cut, and then 

 piled in variously constructed open piles to determine the best form 

 for thorough and rapid seasoning. The ties were weighed again at 

 the end of fifteen days, and at intervals of thirty days thereafter 

 until thoroughly air dry. After the seasoning was completed the ties 

 were shipped to Sheridan, Wyo. , for treatment by different preserva- 

 tive processes. It was demonstrated thatj by proper seasoning before 

 shipment the ties lose nearly 40 per cent in weight. It was also 

 shown that when the timber was properly seasoned about one-third 

 less time was required for treating it. All ties were marked with 

 record nails showing the months in which they were cut and the treat- 

 ment given them, and then placed in the track in order that their 

 durability might be tested by actual trial. 



Similar investigations are being made of railroad ties manufactured 

 from the inferior oaks, the gums, and the beech of eastern Tennessee, 

 Kentucky, Arkansas, and Mississippi. When seasoned these ties 

 will be treated with preservatives and placed in service. More thor- 

 ough seasoning in much shorter time has already been attained by 

 improved methods of piling. 



A study of Loblolly and Shortleaf railroad ties is being made in 

 eastern Texas. About 2,000 ties have been cut each month under the 

 supervision of an agent of the Bureau. These ties were taken from 

 different localities and from different parts of the tree. They are so 

 marked that a record can be made of the differences they show in 

 water content, weight, strength, durability, and absorption of pre- 

 servatives. A tie yard has been provided by the railroad company, 



AGK 1903 34 



