1080 JOURNAL OF FORESTRY 



that, if rigidly enforced, they will insure kiln-dried stock of this species 

 equal to air-dried stock. 



The testing of ash and other species, which include several woods 

 used for propellers, is being pushed as rapidly as possible, results as 

 favorable as those for spruce being expected. 



Douglas Fir for Airplanes 



Because spruce has been considered most suitable for airplane con- 

 struction, it is of interest to note that the Italian Government has 

 placed with the West Coast Lumbermen's Association a contract for 

 25 million feet of Douglas fir for this purpose. 



In addition to specifications with regard to width, length, etc., the 

 contract contains the following: 



Quality. — Rough green fir, at mill's option to ship dry or partly dry at same 

 f. o. b. mill prices, underweights and overweights for buyer's account. 



Grain. — All to show edge grain on the wide face side, i. e., either vertical or 

 within an angle of 45° from vertical. Not less than six annual rings to one inch; 

 no cross grain or burly grain or curly grain to be admitted. 



Sap. — To be bright, and to be allowed in any one piece up to one-fourth the 

 width and one-third the length. 



Pitch Pockets. — Will allow in any one piece one pitch pocket up to two inches 

 long for each 16 lineal feet. 



Knots. — Ninety per cent to be free from knots on all four sides; 10 per cent to 

 allow in any one piece one knot up to V$ inch in diameter. 



It is mutually understood and agreed that the above description of this special 

 grade describes the low line of limitation as is usual in lumber grades, and the 

 shipments on this order will contain all the product of this grade and better that 

 is produced when cutting the same. In other words, no portion of the higher 

 grade material shall be selected out and retained by the mill. 



Manufacturing. — Must be uniformly sawn. All to be free from chain marks, 

 dog marks, and no hooks to be used in the handling or loading of this stock. 



Tally and Inspection. — Tally and inspection at loading mill to be by Pacific 

 Lumber Inspection Bureau, in accordance with special clear quality herein speci- 

 fied, certificate to be furnished and to be final. Buyer's option also to inspect at 

 leading mill in accordance with same special clear specifications herein mentioned, 

 and any difference between the two inspectors to be settled by the chief super- 

 visor of the Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau or his assistant. 



The Spruce Situation 



Two phases to the aircraft spruce situation demand attention. The 

 immediate phase is that private industry is unable to meet the demand 

 for spruce. The reasons for this are several. The annual cut of spruce 

 in Washington and Oregon seems never to have exceeded 300,000,000 

 feet board measure of all grades. The present demand is said to be 

 150,000,000 feet board measure of airplane stock, but since the average 

 timber will not yield to exceed 15 per cent of this grade, 1,000,000,000 



