14 
given in the following table. 
test is given in a separate.column. 
THE ‘‘BLUING’’ AND THE ‘‘RED ROT”’ OF THE PINE. 
The number of pieces used for each 
It will be noted that the heart- 
wood pieces were kept distinct from the pieces cut from the sapwood. 
Compression strength in pounds per square inch. 
Heartwood. Sapwood. 
Kind of timber. Number Number | 
of pieces es of pieces) Average 
tested. | S'EMSTR. | testeg, | Strength. 
| Pounds. Pounds. 
A. (Green: tlmbers so 5 specs eke Berea eres ere are eee Si eeeyat = 210 38, 919. 74 1,575 5, 089. 98 
Bes Bines timber. IyeariOldiasasss sasee aer eee mee ee ae 190 3, 876. 44 649 5, 130. 95 
(OE Sensihore? inbad ore, Wy eres! Ol Ol ave gascadendacuooecoscsece 131 | 4,017. 48 770 5, 308. 32 
Cross-breaking strength in pounds per square inch. 
Heartwood. | Sapwood. 
kind of timber NI IN 
) ania Average | Beare | Average 
nostede strength, | weal strength. 
Pounds. i Pounds. 
AsiGreen. timbers 2. oo se stt es ee ee eee een 338 | 5,375.26 | 553 | 5, 882. 66 
Bo Bilwe? timber lyearioldiees=sssose sees Ss ars eee 317 5, 361.17 | 242 5, 818. 84 
Ce oBihie 2atimiber 2aveanrsiol dees eee ee eer 322 5,665 22) 6s 84355 
| 
The figures given in this table show that the ‘* blue” timber is 
slightly stronger, both when compressed endwise and when broken 
crosswise. ‘This result is probably due to the fact that the ‘‘ blue” 
wood was slightly drier than the green wood when the tests were 
made. It isscarcely probable that the presence of fungus threads in 
the cells of the wood in any way strengthens the fiber. However 
that may be, these tests show beyond doubt that for all practical pur- 
poses the ‘* blue” wood is as strong as the green wood. Under the con- 
ditions now existing in the Black Hills Forest, the *‘ blue” wood is cer- 
tainly very much stronger than the green wood. It is in effect sea- 
soned timber. The trees have stood in the most favorable position 
possible for drying, with thousands of holes in the bark made by the 
beetles through which the water could escape, assisted by the winds 
which constantly sweep by the trunks. Where wood is used, as it 
unfortunately is in these days, almost immediately after it is cut from 
the forest, the *‘ blue” wood is certainly as good so far as its strength - 
is concerned as the green wood, and ought not to be discriminated 
against because of supposed weakness. 
LASTING POWER OF THE ‘‘ BLUE” WOOD. 
The wood of the bull pine is one which is not very resistant to 
decay-producing fungi. Under ordinary conditions, such as are found 
