USE OF PERISHABLE WOODS FOR FENCE POSTS 203 



post is treated. This will bring the creosoted portion of the 

 post 6 to 8 inches above the ground when the posts are set. 

 It is at the surface of the ground where the fastest decay 

 takes place. Unless the wood is very perishable it is not usual 

 to treat the tops of the posts, but it can easily be done by 

 inverting the posts in the tank when one end has been treated. 

 Merely dipping the tops in hot creosote or using the brush 

 process will have a very favorable effect. When the tops are 

 not to be treated it is well to bevel them off so that they will 

 shed rain. 



Where posts are to be given a preservative treatment it is 

 possible to use a much smaller post than is generally used. 

 A post 5 inches in diameter is large enough and strong enough 

 for most line fences. In using small posts a considerable sav- 

 ing of creosote can be made. Round posts are much preferred 

 for the process, because sapwood will take the preservative 

 much more readily than heartwood. 



Equipment Necessary. — For treating a few fence posts 

 each year a very satisfactory tank can be made from a dis- 

 carded gasolene drum or barrel of sheet steel. The top should 

 be cut out and the tank set up on bricks or stones, so that a 

 fire can be built beneath. A stovepipe connected with the 

 firebox will aid in giving a draft and carry the smoke away. 

 An outfit of this kind at the most should cost but a few dol- 

 lars. Such a tank will hold from eight to ten fence posts, 

 4 or 5 inches in diameter. Creosote being inflammable, the 

 tank should not be set up near buildings. 



Carrying out the Treatment in a Single Tank. — The 

 creosote, which at ordinary temperatures is sometimes not in 

 a liquid form, should be heated in the tank to about the boil- 

 ing point. A very high temperature will tend to weaken the 

 wood and a large amount of the creosote will be evaporated. 

 The tank should then be filled with fence posts. Sufficient 

 creosote should be used to cover at least the lower 40 inches 

 of the posts. After heating for several hours the fire should 



