26 



BULLETIX 1037, U. S. DEPARTMEXT OF AGEICULTUEE. 



size and kind of material. ^^ "When sufficiently dry, sliipments in 

 closed box cars will suffer little or no loss from sap-stain or mold. 

 In all cases where air seasoning is resorted to, unless great care is 

 exercised in providing for ample circulation of air through the stock 

 by such means as open piling, fungous and insect troubles are likely 

 to develop. It is absolutely necessary to strip or cross pile the stock 

 upon dry foundations. For purposes of stripping, kiln-dried or 

 chemically treated strips 1 inch wide and at least 1 inch thick should 



be used between 

 courses. AU sheds 

 for the storage of 

 this material should 

 be dry and well ven- 

 tilated. 



KILN DEYIXG. 



By far the most 

 effective and quickest 

 method of treating 

 green stock, as a pro- 

 phylactic measure, to 

 destroy fungi or in- 

 sects and to reduce 

 shipping weight, is 

 to subject the ma- 

 terial to proper kiln 

 drying. "When pro- 

 ducers are equipped 

 with, or have access 

 to, modern kilns op- 

 erated on a scientific basis and are so situated that stock can be 

 moved rapidly, less concern need be given to fungous troubles. Kiln- 

 dried spokes can be bundled or close piled in dry warehouses or in 

 ordinary box cars and shipped without loss. 



Material kiln dried directly from the saw has been shown to be 

 just as good as air-seasoned stock (Tiemann, 51, p. 300) and in many 

 cases much better as far as strength, toughness, and freedom from 

 defects are concerned. Moreover, the time necessary for seasoning 

 can often be reduced from one year to three weeks or from three to 

 five 3^ears to as many months. 



Fig. 7. — Split billets piled in a box car. When occasional 

 billets are used as crossers and the doors of the car are 

 cleated open this type of si>oke stock suffers but little 

 while in transit. 



1' The reader is again referred to Department Bulletin No. 5.52 (7) for information con- 

 cerning the seasoning of wood. 



