202 A MANUAL FOR NORTHERN WOODSMEN 



sionally a tract is cut with such carelessness that the yield is 

 very materially cut down. We have to meet the wishes of our 

 customers if clearly expressed, but we protect ourselves by an 

 explicit statement of the kind of utilization which our estimates 

 imply, and by an exact showing of the basis on which the work 

 was done. 



Timber Quality. While the above applies specifically 

 to the Douglas fir country, much the same methods are 

 employed in the Interior and California, with resort to 

 others of less intensiveness, similar to those in use else- 

 where, when stands are lighter or less valuable. The pre- 

 ceding, however, is inadequate in one field of importance, 

 in that quality of timber has been given scant emphasis. 

 This throughout the region is no less important a factor 

 in value than quantity. In fact, in very much territory 

 timber has no commercial value unless its products are 

 suitable for other than ordinary building purposes. 



In the case of Douglas fir and timbers associated with 

 it west of the Cascades this matter is simplified by the 

 fact that log grades instead of lumber grades are made 

 the usual basis of quality rating, the log grading rules in 

 force in the market thus furnishing the standard to which 

 the field man works. Since, however, both dimension 

 and lumber quality enter into these, their application is 

 not simple. 



The grading rules for Douglas fir logs in force on Puget 

 Sound follow; those of the other log markets are very 

 similar. Spruce is commonly graded like fir. With cedar, 

 because of the variety of products into which the wood 

 may be manufactured, grading varies from time to time 

 and locally. Hemlock logs and those of the species 

 rarely met are sometimes classed in two log grades, those 

 above 16* in diameter and surface clear, and all others. 



No. 1 (also called Flooring) logs shall be logs in the 

 lengths of 16 to 32 feet and 30 inches in diameter inside 

 the bark at the small end and logs 34 to 40 feet, 28 inches 

 in diameter inside the bark at the small end, which in the 

 judgment of the sealer contain at least 50 per cent of the 

 scaled contents in lumber in the grades of No. 2 Clear 

 and better. 



