278 Proceedings oe the 



so-called inferior woods, because of their greater 

 porosity, can be treated with chemicals so as to preserve 

 them very effectively. 



The use of these woods, which is made possible by 

 preservation, will not only open up a supply now 

 standing in the forests, but it will also make possible 

 the investment in lands producing such timbers. Many 

 of these grow with great rapidity, at least sufficiently 

 so as to make the possibilities of second and third crops 

 a realizable possibility. Some day we may duplicate 

 the conditions now prevailing in eastern France, where 

 the preserved beech ties last until another crop of beech 

 ties furnishes a new supply. 



Preservation will therefore be an almost indispens- 

 able factor in any consideration of future supply, and 

 when one considers the good results obtained, its 

 importance will be fully realized. 



The use of shortlived woods for tie and construction 

 purposes when chemically preserved will have a whole- 

 some eflfect on the utilization of the higher grade 

 longlived timbers. The writer has repeatedly pointed 

 out that the full value of a piece of white oak is not 

 realized in these times when it is used in the form of a 

 tie. White oak is coming to be more and more valuable 

 in the form of lumber and for construction purposes, 

 for car building, in the cooperage trade, etc. A rail- 

 road using white oak for ties at a valuation less than 

 one-half of what it would be as car sills or cooperage 

 stock, is cutting off industries which it should foster 

 along its lines. This is especially true when the road 

 could be using less valuable woods for what must be 

 considered as inferior service, such as ties or piling. 

 These woods when treated are just as serviceable and 

 oftentimes better than the more valuable wood. This 

 is a point worthy of serious study from the traffic 

 standpoint. 



