Robbins's Process

This seems to be a process of inestimable value, and destined to produce very important results. The apparatus used consists of a retort or still, which can be made of any size or form, in which resin, coal tar, or other oleaginous substances, together with water, are placed in order to subject them to the action of heat. Fire being applied beneath the retort containing the coal tar, etc., oleaginous vapor commences to rise, and pass out through a connecting pipe into a large iron tank or chamber (which can also be built of any size), containing the timber, etc., to be operated upon. The beat acts at once on the wood, causing the sap to flow from every pore, which, rising in the form of steam, condenses on the body of the chamber, and discharges through an escape pipe in the lower part. In this process a temperature of 212° to 250° Fahr. is sufficient to remove the surface moisture from the wood; but after this the temperature should be raised to 300° or more, in order to completely saturate and permeate the body of the wood with the antiseptic vapors and heavier products of the distillation. The hot vapor coagulates the albumen of the wood, and opens the pores, so that a large portion of the oily product or creosote is admitted; the contraction resulting from the cooling process hermetically seals them, and decay seems to be almost impossible. There is a man hole in the retort, used to change or clean out the contents: and the wood chamber is furnished with doors made perfectly tight. The whole of ration is completed in less than one hour, rendering the wood proof against rot, parasites, and the attacks of the Teredo navilis or naval worm.

Cement For Seams In Roofs

Take equal quantities of white lead and white sand, and as much oil as will make it into the consistence of putty. It will in a few weeks become as hard as stone.

Roman Cement

Drift sand, 84 parts; unslacked lime, 12 lbs.; and 4 lbs. of the poorest cheese prated; mix well; add hot (not boiling) water to reduce to a proper consistence for plastering. Work well and quick with a thin, smooth coat.

Smalt

Roast cobalt ore to drive off the arsenic; make the residuum into a paste with oil of vitriol, and heat it to redness for an hour; powder, dissolve in water, and precipitate the oxide of iron by carbonate of potash, gradually added until a rose-colored powder begins to fall; then decant the clear, and precipitate by a solution of silicate of potash prepared by fusing together for 5 hours a mixture of 10 parts of potash. 15 parts of finely ground Hints, and 1 part charcoal. The precipitate, when dry, may be fused and powdered very fine.

Fictitious Linseed Oil

Fish or vegetable oil, 100 gallons; acetate of lead, 7 lbs.; litharge, 7 lbs.; dissolved in vinegar, 2 gallons. Well mixed with heat, then add boiled oil, 7 gallons; turpentine, 1 gallon. Again well mix.