27 
Part II.] Pearson: 
Definite proposals as 
made in Chapter IV. 
Antiseptic Treatment 
to further experiments 
of Timber . 
with this process are 
(3) THE BOUCHER1E PROCESS. 
Process. 
The Boucherie process consists in forcing a solution of sulphate of 
copper into green logs under pneumatic pressure, thus driving out the 
sap and replacing it by a solution of this salt. The timber after being 
processed in this way is ready for conversion. 
Indian Records. 
This process which attracted a good deal of attention at one time, 
especially in France, was given a trial in India in 1865-66, when a 
plant was erected at Palghat on the Madras Railway. The woods 
experimented on were of 44 different species. The engineers reported 
unfavourably on the treated sleepers, in that they considered that the 
strength and durability of the timber were not increased by this process. 
The following figures show the result of these experiments, as given 
by Dr. Warth. The sleepers were laid down in February 1865 and 
examined in October 1866 ^ 
Sleepers in good condition . 7,143 
,, slightly split . . 2,802 
„ badly „ . . 356 
„ attacked by insects 184 
„ rotten ... 6 
Total • 10,491 
The species of timber which had been most ^injured were in order 
Dillenia pentagyna , Terminaiia Ghebula , Stereospermum chelonoides } 
Terminalia belerica and Odina JFodier , not one of which species appears 
in the list given in Chapter I, pages 11 and 12, as even possible timber 
for sleepers. 
680 
26*7 
3*4 
1-8 
0*1 
per cent. 
100 
per cent. 
SUMMARY. 
The experiments carried out in Madras with the Boucherie process 
did not prove successful; on the other hand, the majority of the species 
tested did not in all respects fulfil the conditions necessary for sleeper 
timbers, leaving out of the question their durability, so that the 
( 100 ) 
