Part IV.] R. S. Pearson: Antiseptic Treatment of Timber. 95> 
which was employed is not known, but it probably came from Norway 
In 1912, that is after 6 years, after a careful examination it was found 
that 34 per cent, of them required almost immediate renewal. The* 
Chief Engineer was in consequence obliged to report adversely upon 
these sleepers, the cause of rejection being due to a combination of rot, 
white-ant attack and mechanical wear and tear. 
No details are available as to the method of treatment or of the 
quality of the oil with which the sleepers were injected, which robs the 
experiment of a great deal of its value. 
( vi ) Concerning a large consignment of creosoted Douglas Fir 
SLEEPERS FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA PURCHASED BY THE BENGAL 
and North-Western Railway Company. 
One of the largest consignments of treated sleepers as yet purchased 
by any Indian Railway, was that of 160,000 creosoted Douglas Fir which 
took place in 1914. Details of this consignment were given by the 
Chief Forester, Forest Branch (Lands Department), Victoria, British. 
Columbia, in a letter dated 8th October 1914 to the Honorary Editor 
of the Indian Forester and, in order to describe the method of treat¬ 
ment, and the specifications under which these sleepers were to be sup¬ 
plied, we cannot do better than quote the letter in extenso : _ 
“ A cargo of 160,000 creosoted Douglas Fir sleepers were recently 
sent from British Columbia to India. This shipment consti¬ 
tutes a trial order placed in British Columbia, by the Bengal 
and North-Western Railway Company, for the purpose of 
testing creosoted Douglas Fir sleepers in service in India. 
“ The specifications governing the grades of timber to be accepted, 
the grade of oil to be used, and the manner of treatment 
were furnished by the Bengal and North-Western Railway 
Company. The important features of the specifications 
were :— 
1. The sleepers were to be of the best quality Douglas Fir , well- 
seasoned, perfectly sound, sawn from logs cut within two' 
years, free from sap-wood, rotten wood, or materially 
depreciating shakes, wanes and large or loose knots. 
2. No waney edges were allowed. 
3. The treatment should ensure an absorption of 12 pounds of 
creosote per cubic foot. 
4. The creosote should conform to the following specifications :_ 
Completely liquid at 38°C. 
Specific gravity at 38°C.—1-03. 
[ 225 1 
