SAP-STAIN, MOLD, AND DECAY IN GREEN WOOD. 37 
in addition, seemed to be of some value in controlling mold. How- 
ever, both of these series of experiments were performed during hot 
and dry weather — conditions unfavorable to fungous growth ; hence, 
it is impossible to draw satisfactory conclusions from the results. 
While the fluorids may be effective in controlling decay and, to a 
certain extent, stain-producing organisms, they can not be depended 
upon to prevent molding. 
MERCURIC CHLORID. 
Probably the best antiseptic to prevent sap-stain and mold in green 
wood stock is mercuric chlorid. When used on coniferous woods and 
on many of the hardwoods in concentrations of 0.1 per cent to 1 per 
cent, it has been found to be exceedingly efficient. The addition of 
0.1 to 1 per cent hydrochloric acid is said to increase its stability. 
Mercuric chlorid, however, is extremely poisonous when taken in- 
ternally. Many individuals show a marked susceptibility to the 
poison even when applied externally. Moreover, the solutions of 
mercuric chlorid are corrosive to iron, zinc, and many other metals 
commonly employed in dipping vats. For these reasons it can not be 
recommended for general use. 
SOME RESULTS OBTAINED FROM THE USE OF ANTISEPTICS BY VARIOUS INVESTIGATORS. 
It is probable that the efficiency of a given antiseptic varies consid- 
erably when applied to woods of different species and at various 
stages of air seasoning. As stated before, the results are likewise de- 
pendent upon climatic conditions. On open-piled boards of shortleaf 
pine in Missouri, Von Schrenk, Bessey, and Spaulding found that 5 
per cent sodium bicarbonate or one-twentieth per cent mercuric 
chlorid gave good results (Hedgcock, 20). On open-piled white pine 
in Wisconsin, the first two investigators found that the solutions giv- 
ing the best results were 5 per cent borax and 2.5 per cent sodium bi- 
carbonate, while on boards of Norway pine in open piles 5 per cent 
borax, one-twentieth of 1 per cent mercuric chlorid, and 2.5 per cent 
sodium bicarbonate were most effective (Hedgcock, 20). As the re- 
sult of experiments on longleaf pine boards in open piles at Bogalusa, 
La., Weiss and Barnum (56, 57) concluded that the most effective 
antiseptics for the control of sap-stain, in that wood at least, are mer- 
curic chlorid in concentrations of 0.1 to 1 per cent and sodium bicar- 
bonate in strengths varying from 5 to 10 per cent. In these experi- 
ments 5 per cent borax gave poor results. 
Hedgcock (80), in connection with certain experiments at Balti- 
more, Md., on the prevention of mold and stain in veneer baskets 
made from poplar, sycamore, beech, gum, and maple, found that the 
most effective solutions were 10 per cent sodium carbonate, 6.5 and 
10 per cent sodium bicarbonate, 2.5 per cent sodium bicarbonate plus 
