Barking Oak 223 



A dry, open and airy situation, convenient to the work, 

 but without the wood, should be selected on which to 

 harvest the bark, and rather than this should be done in a 

 sheltered, humid spot, the bark should be carted to some 

 distance off. The drying racks, or ranges, may be fully 

 2 ft. high, drooping somewhat to one side, and formed of 

 forked sticks driven firmly in the ground, while stout rods 

 are placed transversely upon these. It should also be so 

 arranged as that not only may the rain be thrown off, but so 

 that the ends of the bark may be facing the prevailing wind, 

 thereby insuring a current of air through and beneath the 

 mass. After being carted or carried to the drying-ground, 

 the small bark is spread out loosely on the stage to a depth 

 of about 6 in., and thatched or covered over with the larger 

 pieces as a means of protection against rain. Each day's 

 bark should be cleared up, and put on the range the same 

 evening, and oftener, if found necessary, during damp 

 showery weather, keeping the white or fleshy part down- 

 wards and using the larger pieces as covers to run off the 

 rain. 



During favourable weather the bark will be ready for 

 stacking in about a fortnight from the time it was placed 

 on the stage, but should close damp weather intervene, it 

 may be found necessary to turn the bark occasionally, thus 

 adding to the length of time required for harvesting. It 

 should, however, be remembered that the less turning the 

 bark receives after being placed on the stage the better will 

 the quality be. Well-seasoned bark has the fleshy side of 

 a creamy colour, whereas such as has been exposed to the 

 sun or rain is of a dull brown, and is wanting in tannin 

 matter, and consequently of inferior value.' 



As soon as the bark is thoroughly dry and ready for 

 stacking, which may readily be ascertained by its breaking 

 freely across rather than bending or yielding to pressure, it 

 should be secured in a shed, ricked, or delivered to the 

 tanner. 



In stacking bark the rick should not be made too wide 

 say about 9 ft. but well hearted, so that the side pieces 

 may have a good fall or declivity outwards to throw off the 



