May 10, 1922 



HARDWOOD RECORD 



23 



steam required at the pressure stated. No iuforiiiation being given 

 as to the size of the boiler, the writer has calculated the possi- 

 bilities of the proposition on the basis of a 72"xl8' return tubular 

 boiler, and found that the heat available from the steam at 80 

 |iounds, and that portion of the water in the boiler which will 

 evaporate as pressure is released would, be sufficient to impart a 

 temperature of about 180 degrees to the 3,000 board feet of lum 

 ber which the steam box is to contain, and to take care of the heat 

 loss of the structure itself. 



Thus the correspondent's proposition appears entirely practical, 

 provided his boiler is sufficiently large, otherwise he will have to 

 continue firing for an hour or two, until he has brought the lumber 

 to a temperature of about 150 degrees, when the firing may cease 

 and the steam then contained in the boiler at its nia.ximum pressure 

 of 80 pounds may be permitted to supply tlie balance of the heat 

 required to complete the work. 



The steam should be admitted to the steam box as fast as possi- 

 ble. It will condense very rapidly at first, as it comes into con- 

 tact with the lumber, and there is no danger of building up much 

 pressure in the room. Such a danger may exist only towards the 

 end of the steaming, after the lumber has been thoroughly heated 

 to more than 200 degrees, if the steam were permitted to flow into 

 the room at the same rate as at first, assuming that the firing of 

 the boiler was continued. 



It is rather essential that good drainage should be provided. 

 For best results there should be a double floor, a tight floor under- 

 neath, pitched to the center or to one end, from which the water 

 is drained through a 4" cast iron pipe to the outside of the room. 

 This drain pipe should be properly trapped to prevent the escape 

 of steam. 



Over this floor are to be laid the steaming pipes, with perfora- 

 tions downward, not against the lumber, and blocked about 4" 

 above the floor. About 10" above this bottom floor is to be laid 

 the piling floor proper, of 6" plank with 1" free spaces between 

 these plank. 



In general the construction of such a steaming room should be 

 as steam and heat moisture proof as possible. It is desirable to 

 provide a chimney type ventilator, 2'x2' in size, at about the cen- 

 ter of roof, with a hinged, tight fitting cover, to be held down by a 

 weight, to be opened about six hours after the steam was first 

 turned into the steam box. There should also be provided two ven- 

 tilating openings into the space between the bottom floor and the 

 piling floor, these openings to be 12"x24" in area and one located 

 at each end of the room. These must likewise be equipped with 

 tight fitting covers, to remain closed during steaming, until the 

 time arrives for cooling, about si.x hours after steam was first 

 applied. 



(Continued from page 19) 

 merged one into the other, the line of demarcation being left entirely 

 to the judgment ot the inspector, therefore they knew that differences 

 of inspection were to arise. But as there was a way provided for the 

 .settlement of such differences of inspection. John did not hesitate to 

 ship his lumber to the buyer subject to proper inspection. 



What we need now in the hardwood lumber industry is a sales code 

 that has crystallized trade customs and standardized tliem so they 

 may be used as a basis of settling disputes other than ot grade and 

 measurement. Also a sales code will improve the methods used in the 

 hardwood trade by both buyer and seller. The buyer will be more 

 explicit and make his orders cover all terms and conditions, and the 

 seller will be more careful in filling his orders, which will make a more 

 satisfactory business for each. It will eliminate a large percentage of 

 the disputes which come up today, and those that it cannot eliminate 

 it will have provided a way for a quick and fair adjustment. 



In conclusion will say that no committee selected by any body of men 

 can perfect a sales code for the hardwood trade that will be acceptable 

 to all parties concerned immediately, no more than the trade that was 

 willing to accept the grading rules of the National Hardwood Lumber 

 Association when they were first organized, but such a committee 

 appointed can codify existing customs and write a sales code that 

 .should be acceptable to the large majority, and this code can from year 

 to year be perfected the same as have been the grading rules of the 

 .Vational Hardwood Lumber Association. 



Very truly yours. 



(Signed) J. H. Maassen. 



Manager Cypress and Hardwood Dept. Chicago Lumber & Coal Co. 



Battery of F,iiir 34 ft. Dry Kilns I .s,.l lui 



Greater Profits and 



Better Work with 

 Properly Dried Lumber 



Lumber for fine cabinet work and good 

 furniture, seasoned in a Sturtevant High 

 Humidity Dry Kiln will not twist, warp 

 or crack; the glue will hold and the joints 

 will stay put. The green lumber can be 

 put in this Kiln straight from the saw, 

 eliminating delays and increasing your 

 profits. With the 



High Humidity Dry Kiln 



The Kiln with a circulation you can understand 



tlie moisture and temperature is kept exactly as 

 von want it, day after day. 



The moist, warm air is circulated and recirculated 

 reaching every part of the lumber; consequently 

 there is little or no wastage — another source of 

 profit. 



Isn't it worth your while to write for the new cata- 

 log- 282? It is full of data and information that 

 is of vital interest to vou in vour business. 



B. F. STURTEVANT COMPANY 



HYDE PARK, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 



