VARIOUS METHODS OF SEASONING 71 



and has an important preservative effect. A modification of this, 

 known as M'Neile's process, consists in exposing the wood to a 

 moderate heat in a moist atmosphere charged with the products of 

 the combustion of fuel. 



BoiHng timber in water has much the same effect as steaming, 

 but is costly, and probably weakening in its effects. 



Seasoning by immersion in water is a slow method that answers 

 well for wood to be used in water or in damp situations. It re- 

 duces warping, but renders the wood brittle and less elastic. It is 

 important that the submergence be total, as otherwise there is 

 great danger of fungus attack along the water-Hne. Two or three 

 weeks' water-seasoning is often a good preparation for air-seasoning, 

 and it must be remembered that foreign timbers have often had 

 some weeks or months of such treatment while being transported 

 by water to the port of shipment. It is important that wood 

 seasoned in this way be thoroughly dried before use, otherwise dry 

 rot will set in. In Mauritius, Ebony, which is perfectly sound when 

 freshly cut, is immersed immediately for 6 to 18 months, and 

 then, on being taken out, is secured at both ends of the logs with 

 iron rings and wedges. Soaking timber or burying it under corn 

 were methods of seasoning practised by the ancient Romans, 

 who also steeped wood in oil of cedar to protect it against 

 worms. 



Salt water makes wood harder, heavier, and more durable ; and 

 the rules of Lloyd's add a year to the term of classification of a ship 

 if she is " salted " during construction, having her timbers, that is, 

 packed with salt. Salt water cannot, however, be applied to any 

 timber intended for use in ordinary buildings, as it gives the wood 

 a permanent tendency to attract moisture from the air. 



Boiling in oil is an effective and strengthening, but costly, method 

 of seasoning, employed in making wooden teeth for mortice gears. 

 The wood is roughed out in blocks Httle more than the size of the 

 finished work, and the oil kept at a temperature not exceeding 

 250° P. 



In Austraha the abundance of hardwood, its great weight, and 

 the high price of labour, has led to a general total neglect of season- 

 ing, which has had a very deleterious effect upon the reputation of 

 Austrahan timbers in the markets of the world. Though admittedly 

 too costly for general use, the modification of the oil process adopted 

 by Mr. J. H. Maiden, curator of the Technological Museum of 

 New South Wales, for museum specimens of timber is interesting. 

 The logs are stood on end and the upper end is soaked with boiled 

 Hnseed oil, and a day or two later covered with a cream of white 

 lead. Iron bands are then put round each end of the logs and 



