264 



FOREST PRODUCTS 



(e) Tendency to increase specifications of length, thickness and 

 face of ties to meet the demands of heavier roHing stock, 

 and more frequent traffic. 



(/") Increased use of tie plates, screw spikes and other patent 

 devices to prevent mechanical abrasion and give longer 



service. 



As recently as 1895 white oak ties could be purchased for about 20 

 to 25 cents apiece. At that time, standard rails were 60 lb. in weight, 

 axle loads about 15,000 lb., cars were of only 40,000-lb. capacity and 

 comparatively few trains were operated. Now, white oak ties bring 

 from 70 cents to $1.00 apiece or more depending upon point of delivery, 

 and many inferior woods are being introduced and treated to prolong 



Squared pole tie. 



Half-moon tie. 



Heart and back or wing tie. 



Pole tie. 



Quartered tie. Boxed heart or rifle tie 



(containing no sap.) 



- Fig. 68. — Common forms of hewed cross ties with refeience to their position in the log. 



their life. The records of one important railroad show that the average 

 price paid for ties (of several species) in 1904 was 50 cents, in 1909 

 57 cents, and in 1913, 70 cents apiece. 



In 1915 the total mileage of railways including steam, electric and 

 horse was 434,500. Of this amount, steam railways made up over 

 390,000 miles. In 1900 there were only 289,000 miles of trackage of all 

 kinds of railways. 



SPECIES USED 



For a long time in the early days of railroad development, the timber 

 growing adjacent to the tracks was depended upon for the cross-tie supply. 

 Throughout the East, the oaks and preferably the white oak, were used 



