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Show THE USK OP SOLUBLE GLASS for it is an is in no wood fire. I PROOF. j We can scarcely expect that the building of wooden houses will hcrc-aller hcrc-aller in all oases be forbidden by law, and no fireproof material has yot been discovered which can take the place of wood which now enters into the construction con-struction of both brick and atone houses. Iron beams and columns have proved entirely inadequate to withstand with-stand an intense heat. They are, under such circumstances, but little, if at all, better than wooden ones. They twist and curl to suiib an OEteqt that, in Chicago, buildings, it is said, fell down owinjE to the heat from neighboring neigh-boring fires, Wc oan, howover;with but little trouble and expense, rtbuer wood almost as passive with regard to fire as brick or stone: and wo think that this precaution should bo insisted upon by municipal authorities. The process to which wc allude, and on which thcro exists no patent, so that any one who likes can try it, is j briefly as follows : The dried lumber is soaked for a short time in a solution I of soluble glas-S a silicate of soda or I pota.-h, and then immersed in a bath of luue water. a tniu way the silicate of soda is de-joiu posed, aud a eiiicate of i lime formed in the pores of the wood. I This substance occurs in nature as a mineral known as Wollastonite, and ! is both fireproof and insoluble in j water, so that wood once treated in this way will never change its qualities. 1 Soluble glass largely manufactured j in this country, and used tor a variety ! of iur'ises. Engineering and Miw j ing Jvurwtl. |