A simple experiment to show this depth of burning, and one that is easy to do, is the flash and flame test which was found of interest. Two pieces of cork were taken, having the following measurements—8/16″ × 7/16″ × 11/16″—and the first piece held so that the flame of a gas jet would cause a flash over its surface; then the second piece is taken and held within the flame for a minute. It will be found that the corkwood has expanded and the dimensions increased to the following: Flash Flame 8/16″ × 13/16″ × 11/16″ 10/16″ × 14/16″ × 11/16″ showing the effects of the heat upon the tissue and contents of the cells. Now in scraping these samples clean of all char the dimensions will return to the following: Flash Flame 6/16″ × 11/16″ × 11/16″ 8/16″ × 10/16″ × 11/16″ clearly setting forth the fact that the char is comparatively light in both cases, ranging from 1/8″ to 1/4″. To this cause is ascribed the burnability of cork having by careful observation and experiment, extending over a period of two years, studied the results of numerous fires in premises where cork was being worked and also conducted heat applications on various grades of cork[29] resulting in the foregoing findings.[30] Thus it is found that cork contains sufficient air to supply any fire in it and precludes the necessity of free access to any outside supply which makes it a material worthy to be watched. To its many qualities of great service to man, giving him a material which from the ages past, till now, has proven of such value, must be added this one, no less important than others, which heretofore have been its commendable features. [29] Using ordinary glass (armoured) thermometer for ascertaining degrees. [30] One thousand degrees Fahrenheit, causing no greater combustion than the lower degree, other than the increased burning of remaining substance after the flash, due to the higher temperature. Rather than attend the “cork” through the many passages of commerce and manufacture, it is deemed propitious to deviate a little from a natural course, i.e., from the growing to manufacture and rather advance to a knowledge of the many uses to which this material is put and its application to the innumerable arts, and then take up the manufacture. USES AND APPLICATION