combining with the albumen of the woody tissue, prevents its decomposition and gives it a foreign character. Great credit should be given to pioneers in any line of improvement, not only from the actual benefit derived from their researches, but from the fact that new heads and hands are enlisted in the perfecting of the new ideas, or in the evolving of new methods of producing the desired results. This process of vulcanizing deals with methods entirely overlooked in the scramble for something with which to stop nature's tendency to decay. It has been found that wood has in it the elements to preserve itself. Heat, the great chemical agent of the universe, has been called to our aid, and by its intense application not only are the germs of decay destroyed, but from its chemical action antiseptic substances are evolved which render decay impossible, even if any life were left in the fungi-breeding sap. It is a fact beyond dispute that intense heat destroys the vegetable principles of the sap, and with it all the germs of decay. It is well known to chemists that wood contains fifty-three per cent. of liquid matter called sap, and that, if the wood is placed in a still or retort under three hundred to five hundred degrees of heat, the sap flows off in the form of an oily, tarry, resinous, antiseptic liquid, which the chemist separates into pyroligneous and acetic acids, wood alcohol, creosote, and a dozen or more minor chemical constituents seldom heard of in commerce. This result is all produced by the simple application of a high degree of heat to the contents of the wood. This being a well-established fact, it is very evident that the vulcanizing process, using the same degree of heat, produces precisely the same chemical change in the sap; but, being prevented by the application of an atmospheric pressure of one hundred and seventy-five to two hundred pounds to the square inch, nothing is allowed to exude from the wood while subjected to this high temperature, and it becomes thoroughly filled with the newly formed antiseptic. The wood is subjected to this extreme heat for hours, the liquid permeating the fibres of the wood through and through, the albumen becoming coagulated and the pores filled with the new substance. The wood is then allowed to cool slowly, and by the solidifying of its gums and resins its fibres are made more cohesive, and, as it were, cemented together. At no time in this process is there any possibility of a weakening of the fibres by the pulling apart or opening of the pores, as no vacuum is created, but, on the contrary, the fibre of the wood is kept in place by the intense pressure which is maintained until the lumber is cooled. It is thus that the lumber has been increased in strength, for there has been no separation or straining of the fibre. The fibres become more rigid in their relation to each other, the elasticity is increased, and the resistance to crushing force and transverse stress very materially augmented, facts which have been proven by extensive laboratory tests. (Reference is made to tables herewith appended.) The wood also becomes more uniform in its character, and this is caused by the forcing of the contents of the wood, when in its fluid state, throughout its pores. We have stated the theory, now let us examine into its practical results. The works have been in operation nine years, and we have yet to learn of the least evidence of decay in a single piece of vulcanized wood. Spruce ties which have been subjected to the severest tests for nearly nine years, being covered in the ground (made land) in the tracks of our yard and exposed to extremes of moisture and heat, on being taken up last spring were found to be as sound as when originally laid, and do not show the slightest tendency to decay; and, where there was a crack in the wood, which, as you all know, is where decomposition frequently first sets in by reason of its holding the moisture, there was not the thickness of this paper in discoloration even. Vulcanized yellow pine ties which have been in use in the switch yard of the New York Central at the Grand Central Depot for seven and three-quarters years do not show the least tendency to decay, and even the sap wood is in perfect condition. Vulcanized yellow pine ties which have laid on the main track of the Erie Railway for over eight years are as sound as though laid but yesterday. In these cases cited the wood is as bright as when cut from the tree, and has lost none of its aromatic fragrance. Its specific gravity is apparently about the same as when first laid; and the nature of vulcanized wood is that it does not continually grow lighter and lighter, as in the untreated lumber, but the specific gravity remains fixed, being very close to that of green lumber. In yellow pine and rich resinous woods it is increased some ten per cent. This permanence of the specific gravity is maintained for years, the fact being, as practically demonstrated, that vulcanized yellow pine, after exposure to the elements with the deteriorating influence of wind, rain, heat and cold, becomes more dense, and, as one of our large customers states, is in better condition, than when treated nine years ago, being tougher, and its strength increased in its resistance to the wearing and crushing effect of heavy traffic. Owing to the unchanging character of the wood, its spikeholding qualities are remarkable. The spikes in the ties which have been referred to have never been drawn, and are in their original position still, holding as firmly to-day as the day they were driven. In buildings where the floors and beams are subjected to steam and constant moisture, as in many of your dye houses and other places, the fact is apparent to you all that decay arises because the steam and heat induce the fungous growth, being the special elements in nature conducive to it. The chemical ingredients in their coagulated state, as in vulcanized lumber, are not easily soluble by moisture under heat, and the strength of the timber remains; while the contrary is the fact in timber in its natural state, which becomes weaker and weaker, until expensive repairs are necessary. We all know how important a continuance of routine is in a well-organized mill, and hence how greatly the cost is increased by a disturbance thereof, saying nothing of the cost of replacing. Vulcanized wood, from its density and increased specific gravity and cohesiveness of fibre, makes the very best of floors; as they wear better, and will not brash up. This comes from the changed nature of the wood. For interior finish a rich antique color can be produced by vulcanizing when desired, which is uniformly even throughout each piece, and the lumber partakes of a higher degree of finish in less time. This is owing to the cohesion of the fibre and the filling of the pores with the natural gums and resins of the wood. In a paper of this kind, limited as to time, you cannot expect to be fully informed as to all the details either of our process or of its results; but we trust that we have gained your attention to this wonderful discovery, and we should be pleased at any time to further personally assist you in your investigations as to its worth, at either our Boston or our New York office. |