176 A MANUAL OF FORESTRY 



recognizes three grades: Clear, No. i, and factory flooring. The 

 standard grades of hardwood lumber, as established by the 

 National Hardwood Lumber Association, are: First, second, 

 No. i, common, No. 2, common, and No. 3, common. Standard 

 lengths are 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 feet, except as otherwise 

 specified. Standard thicknesses are f, J, f, f, i, ij, ij, 2, 2j, 3, 

 and 4 inches. Standard defects are one knot ij inches in diam- 

 eter; two sound knots not exceeding in extent or damage one ij- 

 inch knot; one inch of bright sap; one split not diverging more 

 than i inch to the foot, etc. The way in which these rules are 

 applied in grading is shown in the following: Maple firsts must 

 be 8 inches or over wide, 10, 12, 14 and 16 feet long, and free from 

 all defects, except in pieces 10 inches or over wide, which may 

 have one sound standard defect. 



There are several lumber associations in the country and each 

 has its intricate grading rules. The result is that the grading of 

 lumber, rapidly as it leaves the saw, requires an expert who knows 

 the rules and applies them instinctively. The man who can do 

 this can always command good wages. For this reason the small 

 portable mill operator is usually unable to employ a trained 

 grader and sells his lumber without grading (" log-run "). Many 

 lumber wholesalers reap considerable profits from buying lumber 

 in this way and grading it, because the price paid for a mixed lot 

 is always low. Another difficulty in grading in small operations 

 is that buyers will not take less than a carload lot of any one 

 grade. It is undoubtedly feasible for two or more small operators 

 to cooperate in the employment of a grader and in the shipping 

 of their lumber. In fact, the day of the Cooperative Sawmill, 

 which shall correspond to the Cooperative Creamery, may not 

 he- far off. 



Log Grades. It has not been customary in the past to grade 

 logs and there are no standard grades, but as lumber becomes 

 more valuable, especially for special uses, there is a tendency to 

 distinguish various grades of logs. When a landowner can secure 

 a higher rate for sound, straight logs than for the same number 

 of board feet of inferior logs, there is undoubtedly an incentive 



