210 The Farm Woodlot 



secured from any agent. Most companies classify their 

 ties into "firsts" and "seconds." If the specifications are 

 not secured and carefully considered, many seconds will 

 be cut that could just as well have been made firsts. In 

 hewing ties in a woodlot, it is better to do all the hewing in 

 one place so that the chips may easily be piled and burned. 

 Most roads also classify ties into hewed and sawed and 

 make a difference in the price. 



IMPLEMENT PARTS 



For farm implement repairs wood is needed that is 

 strong, hard, tough and elastic. The best woods for this 

 purpose are hickory, ironwood, oak and elm in the order 

 in which they are mentioned. Pieces for this purpose 

 should be cut, peeled and stored under cover where 

 there will be a free circulation of air so that they may 

 become thoroughly seasoned. Large pieces should be 

 split into quarters ; this prevents season (Fig. 49) checks 

 and hurries the process. This adds very greatly to their 

 strength. Care should be taken in selecting the pieces 

 to see that the grain is straight and free from knots. 

 Proper seasoning requires from three months to a year, 

 according to the thickness of the piece. Every farmer 

 should keep a supply of such pieces on hand so that he 

 will have seasoned wood when he needs it, and not be 

 obliged to use green pieces of inferior quality. The second 

 growth of these species, of small size, especially sprout 

 growth, is superior to the older timber for these purposes.' 

 It is tougher, less brittle and more elastic, will bend 

 more to a strain without breaking and stand harder jars. 



Stock for handles should have the same qualities as 



