Circular 39 of the Forest Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, entitled "Experiments on the Strength of Treated Timber," gives the results of a great many tests of creosoted ties, principally loblolly pine, from which the following conclusions are quoted:
"(1) A high degree of steaming is injurious to wood. The degree of steaming at which pronounced harm results will depend upon the quality of the wood and its degree of seasoning, and upon the pressure (temperature) of steam and the duration of its application. For loblolly pine the limit of safety is certainly 30 pounds for 4 hours, or 20 pounds for 6 hours." [Tables 3, 6, and 7.]
"(2) The presence of zinc chlorid will not weaken wood under static loading, although the indications are that the wood becomes brittle under impact." [Tables 3 and 4.]
Fig. 5.—DEFLECTON CURVES BEAM V
Fig. 6.—DEFLECTON CURVES BEAM VI
"(3) The presence of creosote will not weaken wood of itself. Since apparently it is present only in the openings of the cells, and does not get into the cell walls, its action can only be to retard the seasoning of the wood." [Tables 3, 4, 5, and 6.]
