ROUGH CONVERSION. 25-3 



stem should be severed at this point. The top is so much the 

 more valuable if it forms a knee with an upper bough. 



Knee-pieces may also be obtained from a portion of the base 

 of a tree and of a strong root, if the tree has been uprooted. 



ii. Measurinfj the Stem. 



Once the stem has been freed from branches it is measured 

 with a yard or meter measure, and the different yards or meters 

 marked on it by slight cuts in the bark. If the stem is only fit 

 for fuel it is then sawn through at these points (or into other 

 short lengths) ; if intended for timber, it is cut into suitable 

 lengths according to circumstances. 



iii. DeterminiiKj the Assortment. 



Once the tree has been freed from branches, and measured, it 

 must be decided from a consideration of its species, dimensions, 

 form, and quality, and the demands of the market, into what 

 assortments it will be converted. This decision is of the great- 

 est importance, and should usually be made only by one of the 

 forest staff. The usual rule is to allow the stems fit for timber 

 to retain their full length as much as possible. There are many 

 exceptions, however, to this rule, which is more applicable to 

 coniferous than to broad-leaved wood. 



(a) duality. — Only perfectly sound wood should be converted 

 into timber. This rule is specially applicable in the case of oak- 

 wood, which is often full of defects. Large old beech, spruce 

 and silver-fir trees are also often heartshaken, cracked, infected 

 with red-rot, or brittle at the base of the stem. Wherever pieces 

 of timber of doubtful soundness, or from which the defective 

 parts have not been carefully removed, are offered for sale, 

 future sales of timber are greatly prejudiced. When, therefore, 

 there are any doubts as to the soundness of the wood, it is better 

 to cut it into shorter pieces than to send suspiciously looking 

 goods to the market. The timber purchaser, now-a-days, has 

 had too much experience of such pieces. 



(/3) Shape of Stem. — "V\T3erever long pieces are in demand, it is 

 unusual to include in them the small end of the stem. The 



