26 



BULLETIN 510, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTURE. 



Besides the proper sticking and lateral spacing of lumber, a cen- 

 tral flue one board wide running vertically through the middle of 

 the pile is often of decided advantage. Many miUmen recognize 

 this as good practice, but few of them consider they have sufficient 



yard space to carry 

 out the method con- 

 sistentlj^ 



Another factor 

 which enters into the 

 storage of lumber is 

 the piling of stock in 

 even or approximately 

 uniform lengths (see 

 fig. 26). A few mills 

 consider that such pre- 

 liminary sorting is 

 feasible from an eco- 

 nomic standpoint, on 

 account of the greater 

 facility with which 

 such stock can be 

 billed out. From a 

 pathological stand- 

 point the practice is 

 highly commendable. 

 Uneven lengths allow 

 rains to beat in, and also offer convenient and favorable lodging 

 places for fungous spores. Likewise, marked disparities in length 

 permit considerable warping of the ends, which often project out 

 several feet from the main body of the pile. Figure 29 shows this 

 condition in an exag- 

 gerated form. To 

 protect the ends of 

 the lumber from 

 beating rains as far 

 as possible, the cross 

 strips should be 

 placed at least flush 

 with the ends, both in 

 front and behind. 



There still remains 

 the question of roof- 

 ing the piles. The commonly accepted pitch for lumber piles is 1 

 inch to the foot, and with a loose roof of lapped boards the greater 

 part of the rainfall will drain away. The roofs must necessarily 

 extend somewhat beyond the piles, in order to carry the drip clear of 



Pig. 2G. — Lumber piled in even lengths in a southern 

 mill yard. The crossing strips consist of the narrower 

 widths of lumber. 



P90F 



Fig. 27. — Edge-piled 2 by 4 pine at an Arltansas mill. This 

 method of piling permits better vertical air circulation 

 and consequently moi'e rapid drying and less danger 

 from decay during storage. 



