EDITORIAL. 
through publications, co-operative reports, technical notes, and corre- 
spondence. ‘The value of the information disseminated by this labora- 
tory is known to any one familiar with its publications. The technical 
notes are eagerly looked for by the various industries as they contain 
practical suggestions as well as new scientific data. 
GREEN AND SEASONED TIMBERS. 
One of the many “ technical notes” issued last year by the Madisoi. 
Forest Products Laboratory contains the results of an investigation into 
the comparative durability of green and seasoned timber. Opinions of 
wood users have always differed as to the comparative durability of 
untreated green and seasoned timbers when used for poles, posts, or ties. 
Recent experiments conducted by the Laboratory indicate that there is 
practically no difference in the relative durability of untreated green 
and seasoned timbers when exposed to the weather and in contact with 
the ground. Tests carried out with Western Larch and Douglas Fir 
in the hot plain country and the cold mountainous regions bear out this 
conclusign, since in each case the average life of the seasoned ties was 
only one-tenth of a year longer than that of the green ties. These tests 
were carried out in co-operation with the Northern Pacific Railway. 
Periodical measurements on poles, made by the Laboratory in co-opera- 
tion with the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, show that 
the rate of decay in green poles is a trifle less than in seasoned poles. 
The fact that green and seasoned timber have the same durability when 
used in exposed situations is easily explained. Moisture content, it is 
pointed out, is the principal factor in determining the rate of decay of 
a stick of timber. As soon as the timber is placed it begins to give off 
or take up moisture, according to its condition of seasoning and the con- 
ditions of exposure. Within a relatively short time in exposed. con-— 
struction both green and seasoned timber reach the same moisture con- 
tent. When used in buildings, however, wood does not usually dry out 
rapidly after being placed. Wood for interior construction must be 
seasoned before use, otherwise it is likely, not only to shrink to a serious 
extent, but also to decay before it seasons. Very expensive building 
repairs have been necessitated by the use of green timber. 
WORM NODULES IN CATTLE. 
Approval has been given by the Minister (the Hon. W. Massy 
Greene) to an expenditure of an additional £250 during the remainder 
of the financial year for a continuation of the investigation into the 
cause of worm nodules in cattle. The object of the work for which the. 
original grant was made was to continue the investigation from the 
stage arrived at by previous investigators, and to ascertain the means of 
transmission of the worm nodule parasite (Onchocerca gibsont). The 
special committee has submitted twelve progress reports to the Institute, 
and a large amount of valuable work has been carried out. Receni 
experiments with calves on Rabbit Island, in the Hawkesbury River, 
confirmed evidence previously obtained at Kendall incriminating a 
species of march fly as the agent by which the nodules are transinitted. 
Every effort will be made to obtain definite results during the ensuing 
69 
