Recipe To Petrify Wood ~1856

Source: Practical American Cookery and Domestic Economy, E. Hall, 1856

Obviously, this recipe falls squarely on the domestic economy side of the publication. One is left wondering, however, why a Victorian homemaker would have need of a recipe to petrify wood?

Stopping a leak, cleaning brass, even making cement I understand – but petrifying wood?

If you have any guesses, please comment below!