4-30 



WOOD-DEPOTS. 



any case, precautions must be taken to keep the logs raised 

 above the ground, and to secure for them free admission of 

 the air. 



If the wood is to be sold in lots at the depot, it should be 

 arranged in suitable lots, according to trade custom. 



Wherever logs are to be stored for a number of years, 

 it is best to keep them under water, provided they are 

 immersed completely, and there is a moderate inlet and 

 outlet of the water to prevent its becoming stagnant. Logs 

 are then preserved most securely for several years from 

 decay and cracking, and can be converted readily into planks, 

 scantling, etc. If it is not possible to submerge the wood, 



Fig. 2SC.. Stacking logs in a depot. 



and large quantities of wood must, be stored dry for several years 

 (as after insect-attacks, storms, etc.), the greatest care must 

 be taken to isolate them from ground- moisture. Logs, there- 

 fore, are barked thoroughly and rolled into parallel rows one 

 above the other, in shady places, which are not exposed to dry 

 winds ; also the stacks of logs are covered lightly with sods, 

 to protect the logs from cracking in dry weather. The wood 

 suffers least of all on northern aspects. Under similar cir- 

 cumstances, spruce logs keep better than silver-fir or common 

 pine, and logs better than butts. 



In depots used for firewood brought by land, only the best 

 class of firewood will repay further land-transport. Firewood 

 requires the same precautions as timber, and generally fire- 

 wood depots also should be fenced and furnished with a gate, 



