116 FARM BUILDINGS IN SOUTH AFRICA 



sap is deficient in quantity and under reduced pressure. After felling, 

 the branches should be lopped off. 



Water Seasoning. — If water, preferably running water, is available 

 the logs should be submerged therein for about a month ; in the case 

 of running water, they should be placed with their length parallel to 

 the current and their butts pointing up-stream. Care should be exer- 

 cised to see that the logs lie well below the surface of the water, so as to 

 prevent their being attacked by fungi and bacteria. 



Air Seasoning. — After about four weeks' submersion, the logs 

 should be removed from the water and piled up in a shed where they 

 will be protected from the rays of the sun and from hot dry winds, but 

 nevertheless will have a good circulation of air around and among them. 

 The logs should be stacked so that each one lies horizontally, in the 

 following manner : — 



Lay down on level ground a number of logs about 9 feet apart 

 and parallel to each other ; these logs are collectively termed " skidding." 



On top of these place a second layer of logs (with their lengths at 

 right angles to the lengths of the first set) leaving open spaces about 

 half an inch wide between adjacent logs. 



Lay down a third layer (skidding) similar to the first, the logs 

 composing it being placed exactly above those of the first layer. 



Arrange the fourth layer similarly to the second, and proceed in this 

 way, putting down layers of skidding and logs alternately, until the 

 head-room available under the roof of the shed has all been utilised. 



The layer of skidding next the ground should consist of thick logs, 

 so that the timber of the second layer may be well raised above the 

 ground. The remaining skidding, however, could be of thinner stuff, 

 say 3 inches diameter, to economise head-room, due regard being 

 always paid to the proper circulation of air through the stack. 



The whole stack should be carefully, evenly, and regularly built up, 

 to guard against the timber becoming twisted in drying. 



Logs from 8 to 12 inches diameter will require about 10 months 

 in the stack (protected from wind and weather) if of hard wood ; but 

 if of soft wood half that time will suffice. 



If no suitable water is available the first, or water-seasoning process 

 is dispensed with ; while the second, or air-seasoning process is 

 prolonged. 



Timber, especially if in the form of large balks, shrinks and warps 





