82 
100 cubic feet of Beecli absorb 103 pounds of concentrated chloride 
of zinc. 
100 cubic feet of spruce absorb 50 pounds of concentrated chloride 
of zinc. 
At the works lately built at Las Vegas, X. Mex., with a solution con- 
taining 1.5 parts of concentrated chloride of zinc in 100 parts (by vol- 
ume) — 
Hewn ties absorb 33 per cent, of solution (by volume), or 19 pounds 
of concentrated chloride of zinc in 100 cubic feet. 
Sawed ties absorb 17 per cent, of solution (by volume), or 24 pounds 
of concentrated chloride of zinc in 100 cubic feet. 
Piles 10 feet long, 17 inches at the butt, 12 to 11 per cent., or 1G pounds 
of concentrated chloride of zinc in 100 cubic feet. 
With a solution of a strength of 2 in 100, the absorption would be 75 
pounds, 32 pounds, and 21 pounds per 100 cubic feet, respectively. 
The efficiency of the chloride of zinc in preserving wood is well at- 
tested. 
On roads in Hanover 169,000 ties (Burnettized oak) lasted, on an 
average, 19.6 3 7 ears. 
On the Rhine Emdeu Railroad 161,515 Burnettized Fir ties lasted, 
on an average, 22.8 years ; 81,000 Beech ties, on the Hanover Railroad, 
lasted, on an average, 14.8 years ; while, when left untreated, the aver- 
age duration of oak ties in Germany is 14 to 16 years; of fir ties, 7 to 8 
years, and of Beech ties 2^ to 3 years. 
As to the success of this mode of preservation in this country, the 
following facts may be mentioned : Of 2,000 Burnettized ties laid on 
the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad in 1866 (pine, Tamarack, 
and cedar, and the greatest part Hemlock), when examined in 1881 by 
M. Alexander, roadmaster, 75 per cent, were still found present in the 
track, and in such condition that they might do good service for 2 or 3 
years longer. 
L. L. Buck reports that in 1882 he examined a lot of Burnettized 
ties laid in 1866 and 1868, consisting of Maple, Beech, and Hemlock, and 
found them, with few exceptions, in a good state of preservation, and 
more particularly the Hemlock ties. He expresses the opinion that, 
although in the ground for 16 years, they would probably last from 7 
to 8 years longer. 
R. M. Chaffee, president of the Union (horse) Railroad at Cambridge, 
Mass., states that of a lot of Burnettized spruce sleepers laid in that 
railroad, many were found in good condition after 28 years' service. 
A truss bridge of 8 spans, built for the Chicago, Rock Island and 
Pacific Railroad of Burnettized timber in 1860, was still in fair condi- 
tion in 1882. 
Where Burnettizing failed, it was due to improper treatment. The 
fact alone that 22 out of 48 German railroad companies, who preserve 
