MANUFACTURES, ETC. 249 



At the time the leaf buds are bursting is the 

 best for peehng the bark, and the whole of the 

 work should be completed before the trees are 

 in full leaf. After the trees have been felled 

 the stems are usually stripped of bark on the 

 spot, the strips being cut in lengths of about a 

 yard. On the completion of stripping the bark 

 is seasoned in specially prepared stacks, where 

 it is sheltered from the rain, but exposed to 

 the wind. Seasoning should be completed as 

 speedily as possible and with Uttle disturbance 

 of the bark, for constant turning reduces its 

 value. When the bark is in such a condition 

 that it breaks easily instead of bending, as it 

 will when fresh, it is sufficiently seasoned for 

 the purpose to which it is to be put. 



Fuel. The use of wood as fuel may not, 

 at a cursory glance, appear to be of sufficient 

 importance to warrant any mention. As a 

 matter of fact the subject is one that is invari- 

 ably neglected by the householder, and almost 

 as frequently by the dealer. Wood, according 

 to its treatment, may contain anything from 

 about 2 per cent to 8 per cent or more of 

 moisture. Kiln-dried wood is, or may be, 

 practically wanting in moisture, whereas green 

 wood is often so full of moisture that its presence 

 is obvious. As an intermediate stage may be 



