198 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. 



of handling and of foi'ming pile> which more rapidly dry out the tim- 

 ber. It is believed that a form of pile extensively used in Germany 

 was proved to be not onlj^ a better form of pile for seasoning the ties, 

 but somewhat more economical than the old form. A report as to the 

 result of these tests was prepared. 



In connection with the seasoning of loblollj^ pine, treatment tests 

 also were carried on at Somerville. These related chiefly to details in 

 the manner of treating this timber with zinc chlorid. It was thought 

 that by omitting the steaming process a more favorable penetration 

 could be obtained. These tests have simpl}' been begun, only 2,500 

 ties having been treated, but have so far shown a greater absorption 

 hx weight when ties are steamed than wheji the steaming process was 

 omitted. 



TEKTS OP NEW MEXICO FIXES. 



Two stations for tests of seasoning and one for tests of treatment of 

 New Mexico pines were established during the year. The seasoning 

 tests were conducted at Pecos and Rociada, N. Mex. Eight thousand 

 ties of western yellow pine, balsam, and spruce, cut in the vicinity of 

 the former place, and some 4,500 of western yellow pine, spruce, and 

 white fir near the latter were weighed at monthly intervals to deter- 

 mine their rate of seasoning. Some of them dried out in four months. 

 The general results show that open piles cause New Mexico timbers to 

 dry out too rapidl}^, so that many of them check excessively, and that 

 in this region all timbers should be closely piled. The tests prove 

 that the seasoning of New Mexico timbers is a paying operation. 



Other tests were carried on at Las Vegas to determine the best 

 methods for treating New Mexico timbers. These tests show that 

 with the very dry ties obtained in the high altitudes of New Mexico a 

 greater absorption of the preservative follows from treating the tim- 

 bers without a preliminary steaming. This process has since been 

 followed at the Las Vegas plant. A similar result was obtained from 

 a number of tests made during the months of December and January 

 at the treating plant of the Santa Fe Railroad. 



TESTS OP LODGEPOLE PINE AND KED FIR IX THE NORTHWEST. 



]Many timbers in the Northwestern States I'equire to be treated chem- 

 ically in order to resist decay. Two years ago experiments were 

 begun to determine the eflect on seasoning of cutting timber in the 

 Northwest at difllerent seasons of the year. The tests began near 

 Bozeman, Mont., with the lodgepole pine, a timber hitherto very little 

 used because of its softness and its rapid decay when in contact with 

 the ground. These tests were continued during the present year. 

 One hundred ties of lodgepole pine were cut every month and 

 weighed at monthly intem'als. The results show that this timber 

 can be seasoned in five or six months, with a great saving in freight 

 and considerable improvement in quality, compared with unseasoned 

 timber. During the coming year some 2,000 ties will be treated to 

 determine the relation between treatment and the season of cutting. 



Attention was called during the past year to the fact that small trees 

 of the lodgepole pine when properly peeled and dried make excellent 

 mine props. Acting upon this suggestion, a number of mine props 

 have been made in Montana and shipped into Wvoming for use in coal 



