142 



T replied expressing doubt lest an odorous wood, of the nature of Eose- 

 "nood, would affect the bouquet of wines stored in it. In reply, Mr. Bawden 

 wrote : — 



"^Vith regard to tlie Rosewoocl ^or casks, I have the assurance, lu addition to 

 my own large experience, of one who has been engaged in Aviue-making in this 

 district for the past thirty years, that the wood does not give any taste to the 

 uine. Might I suggest an experiment of a small piece of seasoned Rosewood 

 lilaced in a bottle of wine for a few months? Should the Rosewood turn out 

 as I believe it will, there are V^vge quantities of it in this district. 



I venture to express the hope that those who have tried Eosewood for 

 wine-casks will relate their experience, and that those vsdll test it who have 

 facilities for so doing and have not yet done so. It is high time that such 

 an important matter .was ;8ettled. I should also like to see exhaustive tests 

 Made of the Eed Bean (J). Mnellevi), which may be described as a scentless 

 Eosewood. 



Draivhacls to the Timber. 



1. Its Oily Nature. — A drawback to this undoubtedly valuable timber is 

 i\v, circumstance that it takes glue with difficulty, owing, perhaps, to some 

 oleaginous substaiice in it. 



It is unsuitable for instrument cases. The following report sent in to the 

 Public Works Department explains the matter: — 



x\. 5-inch theodolite was sent in for repairs, supply of some parts, and new 

 'Ciise, from Lands Department. Xew case Avns made of well-seasoned Colonial 

 Rosewood liy Oovermnent Architect's Workshop, the new parts of the iustru- 

 imeut were hronzed and lacquered in the usual way, the other ijortiou of the 

 instrument merely cleaned, and delivered to the Lands Department on S/'2/0.5. 

 After about three months the tplioJe of the instrument was observed to be 

 ^'ticky, and was subsequently returned to be cleaned off, rebronzed and 

 relacquered, which was done accordingly, !>nd returned to Lands Department 

 ■on .5/7/05. Thou again, it \A-as reported to be sticky on tlie 2fi/f>/0~i. becoming 

 «iinilar to what it was before. A small box was made of a i)iece of the same 

 ■A'ood, and a piece of brass tube bronzed avid laccpiered was placed in it <ni 

 BO/S/O.j. and after about three months it was found to be quite sticky. 



A simihvr thing has haiipened to another .""i-inch theodolite, for which a new 

 -fase was made of (".olonial Rosewood for the Public Works Department on 

 1.V3/05, and after lying in store was noticed to be the same ou 3/5/OG (original 

 iicquer affected). 



Also on a i)arellel ruler that was iilaced in a Colonial Rosewood case. 



Eosewood belongs to a group of plants called the Meliacete, certain of 

 which contain an essential oil (in which is dissolved a resin) in their timber. 

 At the ordinary temperature of the air, and mfire readily on the application 

 of heat, this solution of resin in oil evaporates and the resin is eoiulensed 

 •on any cool surface, preferably on metal or other conductor of heat. 



Kinff George III had a valuable watoh which caused his watchmaker a 

 SSpod deal of trouble, when it was found that His Ma.iesty often put it in a 

 drawer madeof odoriferous wood, the resin contained in which clogged the 

 works. 



The subject is worthy of exliaustive investigation which, so far as I am 

 ■rtware, it has not yet received. Meantime, so far as Eosewood is concerned, 

 instruments should be kept in Ecd Cedar boxes. 



