6 BULLETIN G7, U. S. DEPAETMENT OP AORICULTtrRE. 



the time they reached the laboratory. After 12 weeks' seasoning 

 they had reached 30 per cent, and for 3 weeks thereafter their moisture 

 content remained practically stationary, due probably to a period of 

 damp weather. The weights taken at the time of test show that 

 after seasoning for 22 weeks, practically from the 1st of July to the 



I 



1st of December, the poles contained about 22 per cent moisture. 

 Figure 3 shows the moisture distribution in four of the poles at the 

 time of test. It indicates that the center of the poles was stUl at err 

 above the fiber saturation point ^ when tested.' The poles checked 

 considerably during the seasoning, but not to an unusual extent. 



1 For a detailed discussion of the fiber saturation point see Forest Service Circular 108, The Strength of 

 Wood as Influenced by Moisture, by II. D. Tiemann. 



