REPORT OF THE FORESTER. 39 



The study of wood paving terminated with the laying, in coopera- 

 tion with the city of Minneapolis, of an experimental pavement com- 

 posed of different woods laid in different ways. 



WOKK IN PROGEESS. 



On the following projects work is in progress : 



In California experiments were made iii seasoning poles of eucalyp- 

 tus, western yellow pine, and giant arborvitse from Washington. Yel- 

 low pine poles were treated by the open-tank process, with excellent 

 results. The attempt to regulate the absorption of the oil was partic- 

 ularly successful, and a penetration of from 2 to 4 inches was secured 

 at will. The experiments aroused great interest among both owners 

 and consumers of structural timber in California, and promise not 

 only to promote a more conservative utilization of the present timber 

 supply, but also to bring into use new species, which, untreated, are 

 not suited for structural use. 



The study of the handling, seasoning, and treatment of mine tim- 

 bers, begun last year in cooperation Avith companies in the anthracite 

 region of Pennsylvania, has opened a field of impoi'tauce. Artificial 

 preservation of mine timbers had previously been thought to be im- 

 practicable. The Forest Service devised a simple and inexpensive 

 treatment, and conclusively proved its economy. Among the preserv- 

 atives used were common salt, magnesium chlorid, zinc chlorid, cir 

 bolineum, and many different grades of creosote. The open-tank 

 method of treatment proved the most satisfactory, though brush ap- 

 plications were found of value when more thorough impregnation is 

 impracticable. Large and quick results in promotmg economy in the 

 use of timber and increased knowledge of how to preserve wood ef- 

 fectively are looked for. The cooperating company is now erecting a 

 plant, designed by the Forest Service and erected under its supervi- 

 sion, for commercial treatments. 



The protection of wood employed in various marine uses against 

 borers was taken up. Creosote was found to be the best protective 

 agent that has been used. Plans are now drawn up for cooperative 

 study of methods of treating timber used in building barges, scows, 

 lighters, and other craft, both fresh and salt water, and for piling. 



A study of the manufacture of distillates of coal and petroleum 

 tar oils, and of the effect on the composition of creosote of the differ- 

 ent methods used, secured better knowledge of the grades of creosote 

 on the market and the precautions which must be taken to avoid 

 adulterated or inferior oils. The subject intimately concerns the 

 success of wood preservation in the United States. 



Work is under way to compile and index all 'extant seasoning and 

 treating data. 



Addresses were made before the annual meetings of the Wood Pre- 

 servers and the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of 

 Way associations, and before the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and 

 Iron Company Employees' Association. 



WORK OF THE ENSUING YEAH. 



The lines of work now in hand will be continued. Simple and 

 economical methods of preserving telephone and telegraph poles, 

 cross-ties, mine timbers, vineyard stakes, and all other timbers exposed 



