Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 May 1877 — Decay of Timber. [ARTICLE]

Decay of Timber.

Wet and dry rots are the two 1 ferine of which attack timber that is exposed >to the weather, and the cause of both may be said tq be heat With moisture. Cpnflnea air cause dry rot, jind imperfect evaporation wet rot, to a greater or less degree. ■ Tnvestifcatioti shows that as a preventive agaipst these rots the timber should be well seasoned end if used where‘liable to be under the influence Of sun and rain should be wey.painted, or, if not painted, shoqld be impregnated with linseed or oil of. tar. The best, preventive, howeyer, is found to be that of allowing a free circulation of air around the timbers, and the walls to be allowed to dry thoroughly beferq the intrqdfictibh of the tlinbers; should the timbers, hate taken either of these rots very little can be done to preserve them. In case the rot is perceived to be at the end of beams only—where in fact.it generally pommenfies—tjie best method of preserving the rest oylhe timbefS in to effectually cut away thfdecayed portion and spars with sound; if, however, this should, not be practicable, the wood may be scraped and cleaned of all fungus or extraneous matter and then impregnated with any of the' uSßal.oils. — CinctnnttJi* A»st. A French machinist has discovered that by keeping his 1 turning tools con'stuntiy wetted with petroletfaj he was ahtb'-to cut- metals.and allays wjththem, although when the tools were .used without the oils their edges ware turned and dulled. . Ttefiaitiret Vteelchhbe turned Easily if the tools be thus wet with a mixture W two prirts erf 'petroleum with one part of turperftine'. ' 'J' I''* 1 ''* *