PREFACE 



THE lumberman is beginning to realize the necessity for standardiz- 

 ing the methods employed in handling his industry. We recognize 

 the problem of standardization as a broad one and feel that the following 

 discussion of log rules is an appropriate contribution to the solution of 

 a problem which influences both the commercial handling of lumber and 

 the scientific study of forest products. There is an unquestionable need 

 for a standard rule for the accurate determination of the volume of 

 logs of various lengths and diameters, and the amount of manufactured 

 lumber possible to produce from such logs. There are many log rules 

 in use throughout the United States, some more accurate than others. 



The following discussion has been prepared by Mr. H. E. McKenzie, 

 Forest Engineer with this department, and was suggested by the result 

 of a mill scale study (to be issued as a separate publication) in which the 

 statute rule of California, the Spaulding Log Rule, was found to show a 

 marked discrepancy between the log scale and the amount of lumber 

 sawed out. This discrepancy led to the further investigation embracing 

 all of the log rules in use in the United States, with the view of determin- 

 ing what rule, if any, is universally applicable or to devise such a rule. 



G. M.HOMANS, 



State Forester. 



