SAP-STAIN, MOLD, AND DECAY IN GREEN WOOD. 19 



tion, i. e., the collection of minute drops of excreted water upon the 

 fungous growth, is responsible for the misconception. 



In some instances split billets upon being unloaded from the cars 

 are thrown in a pile beside the track, sometimes upon damp soil, there 

 to remain for perhaps a month or until opportunity can be found for 

 removal to storage sheds. Losses due to fungi are a natural conse- 

 quence of such treatment. 



It has taken time for those unaccustomed to the handling of green 

 stock to work out satisfactory methods which would provide proper 

 ventilation of dimension, sawed, or turned stock during transit. 

 Meantime, many shipments have been seriously damaged. Of the 

 different forms of stock, the sawed billet, the rim strip, and plank 

 have given the most trouble. Losses are not confined to such stock, 

 however, for turned spokes and hubs, unless properly safeguarded 

 during transit, are liable to stain and mold. 



Sawed billets often arrive at the factory in a badl}^ stained con- 

 dition. It is probable that material containing fungous infections 

 sometimes finds its way into their manufacture. The squared surfaces 

 lend themselves to close piling and thus to the formation of masses 

 wherein sufficient ventilation is impossible. Rim strips also frequently 

 become badly stained while in transit, as a result of the same causes, 

 together with the fact that some manufacturers require such -stock 

 to be close piled in closed box cars and even sprayed with water to 

 prevent checking. It is unfortunate that the conditions necessary 

 for the prevention of checking in green stock are as a general rule 

 favorable to the growth of fungi, and vice versa. 



ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. 



The presence of much sap-stain and even mold in timber is con- 

 sidered by some lumbermen as a defect. Therefore, degrading of 

 material thus affected, with consequent loss in monetary value, may 

 result. Such unfavorable discrimination is due to the notion that 

 stained or moldy material is not as sound as clear stock. In the case 

 of molds, it is an easy matter to remove the surface blemish by the 

 simple process of sanding or planing. With sap-stain, however, the 

 removal of the discoloration depends entirely upon the depth to which 

 the mycelium has penetrated. In some cases the stain may extend 

 to the heartwood. It is evident that it can not under such circum- 

 stances be removed by the processes referred to. 



The presence of mvich stain will prevent the use of timber for pur- 

 poses where color, texture, and clearness of grain are of prime 

 importance. Basket and box veneer, interior finish, flooring, and 

 furniture stock which are to have no protecting coat of paint must 

 be free from stain. Discrimination, however, should not be made 



