132 



ilANAGBMENT OF DEPOTS AND TIMBER YARDS. 



is surfaces exposing a cross-section that give out moisture most- 

 rapidly and are most liable to form cracks, and the object of the 

 plastering is to diminish the rapidity of evaporation. Wood intend- 

 ed for carving or engraving should be kept in short lengths, round 

 pieces being sawn along their entire length down to the centre, so 

 that as the various concentric rings of growth contract, the saw- 

 cut opens out wider and wider, without a single important crack 

 occurring. 



Sometimes it may be necessary to water-season timber (see 

 page 20) . In that case there ought to be a large or several large 

 tanks, and until the pieces thrown in sink of themselves or unless 

 they are forcibly kept under water, they should be constantly 

 turned, otherwise decomposition would soon result in the portion 

 near the water line. 



The smallest stacks of firewood should have a square horizontal 

 section, the side of the square being equal to the length of the 

 billets, and the height such a figure as will bring up the contents of 

 the stack to 10 cubic feet, or a little more if allowance is to be made 

 for shrinkage. Larger stacks may be built up like those described 

 on page 117, and should contain some multiple of 10 cubic feet. For 

 wholesale dealers, specially large stacks, having a square horizontal 

 section of 10, 20, 30, 40, and even 50 feet side, should be built up. 

 No little skill is required to give them sufficient stability. Fig. 60 



Fig. 60. 



Mode of huilding up large stacks. {After Gayer"). 

 shows a very good plan to follow. In it the corners are tied very 



