A PRESERVATIVE FROM FIRE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 92, 5 April 1876, Page 4

A PRESERVATIVE FROM FIRE.

In cities like ours (says the San Jose Patriot of the 20th December) where the dwellings are constructed principally of wood, too much care cannot be . excercised to , prevent ravages : from fire; and anything that will act as ft preventive should be welcomed. Last Saturday afternoon our reporter was present at a test made in Cal Martin's lot, on First-street, where a chemical compound! known as Rice and Davis' Fire Proof -Paint was exhibited to show its qualities in the resistance of flame. A email section of shingle roof was- used for the test, it being placed at the usual angle; upon this an. armful or more of light was placed, the . section having previously been coated with;the paint in question. The kindling was lighted, and a fire kept burning for twenty minutes or more, the agent, Mr T. R. Posey, occasionally adding fierceness to the flames by feeding -it with oil. / After the firewood had burned to black cinders and ashes, and the fire had about exhausted' itaelf, the roof/waß ;exan>inedj and; with the^ exception of the upper edge of the weather ;end of the shingles being slightly! charred, the roof- was unhar a) ed !.;;;. proving conclusively that shingles coated with this paint will not take -life ''from sparks, burning cinders, or! ordinary flame. Those -who were - present expressed much astonishment.. at; the result, and were loud in their commendations. ; During the burning the smoke gave out the odpr of: asbestos, a: well-known incombustible. From-, wbajf! we saw 'of it^ it f is" without an;'; equal in the line of paint for fire pur;- ■ poses,- and those who have seen it used injOakland, where there is a branch manufactory, claim that it is almost as great a preservative of wood, and pre- . tection against water, as it is against fire. When epcead upon wood it sinks into the grain, and coats or glazes, so to! speak, the] outer; surface in such a manner aa to prevent rot or weatherwear. The color used here last Saturday was sombre, or very dark; slate, but i?e learn from the agent that it can be, tinted any color to suit. This lat>teri change, however, detracts somewhat, from its fireproof qualities. As it is manufactured it is very appropriate for

roofs. It is as good for old roofs as new, and when placed upon the latter prevents warping. >It can be used on any surface, and makes a splendid cooting-for the preservation of tin. In view of the fact that much ot the damage done by large fireß in a city are brought about by flying cinders, we look upon this new^ paint as almost invaluable. The burning of the Catholic Church in this City caused embers to be wafted in different directions, a half mile or; more, and- the escape from a general conflagration was almost miraculous. Most of t the fires that spread disaster, are caused; by flying sparks and embers falling! on roofs, and this ' fact ought to teach people a lesson that should be profited by. Anything done to secure property is bo much gained, "A stitch in time saves nine," is an axiom that holds good in this case. »