SORTING AND STACKING. 269 



fairly sound ; also defective logs of larger dimensions and 

 logs from dead trees. 

 In the first four classes of this group are included the 1st and 2nd 

 rate shipbuilding timber ; the best wood for staves, planks and 

 building-timber. The two last classes include inferior wood for 

 staves, building-material, ship-knees, pit-wood, small planking, 

 &c. 



ii. Coniferous Timl)er. 

 After rejecting wood from diseased trees and setting apart 

 the finest ringed and straightest grained wood, the outer shape 

 and the dimensions of the timber form the chief guide for 

 classifying coniferous wood. As regards dimensions, the logs 

 may be classified according to the mid-diameter, or to the small- 

 end diameter. In no other case has the latter so important a 

 bearing on the value of the timber, as in coniferous logs, and 

 accordingly in many districts of North and South Germany the 

 classification is so arranged. The mere volume of the logs is 

 a bad index of their comparative value. 



Considering the usual sizes of logs, a separation into five or 

 six classes will suffice, in the following manner : — 



1st class, logs thoroughly free from knots, smooth, straight, 

 fine-ringed, straight-grained and fissile, over 60 feet 

 long and at least 11 inches across at top. 

 2nd class, logs of similar quality and length, and over 9 inches 



across at top. 

 3rd class, logs of similar quality over 50 feet long, and over 7 

 inches across at top ; also larger logs of inferior quality. 

 4th class, logs of good outward appearance over 45 feet long, 



and over 6 inches across at top. 

 5th class, logs over 40 feet long and 5 inches across at top. 

 6th class, logs over 30 feet long and 4 inches across at top. 

 Wherever the classification is by the mid-diameter — 

 I. and II. classes, logs of 14 inches and more. 



III. class, logs of 10 — 14 inches. 



IV. class, logs of 8 — 10 inches. 

 V. class, logs under 8 inches. 



All measurements are supposed to be taken without bark. 

 The first two classes comprise timber for masts, booms, mill- 

 wheel axles, and the best building-timber. 



The other classes comprise ordinary or inferior building-timber, 



