MANAGEMENT OF DEPOTS AND TIMBER YABDS. 133 



ingeniously, and, in order to secure nniform shrinkage, horizontal 

 rows of straight pieces should be laid at short intervals, thus build- 

 ing up the stack in regular layers. Occasional long pieces should 

 be inserted with the same object with which headers are employed 

 in masonry. In the case of firewood that has been floated, there 

 should be no delay at all in spreading the pieces out to dry, and 

 stacking them so that they may be freely -exposed on every side. 

 In Fig. 61 is exhibited a very successful mode of building such 

 stacks. 



stacking moist wood. (After Gayer). 



It is hardly necessary to say that every precaution should be 

 taken against the occurrence of fire, and for this reason the site of 

 the depdt should be specially selected for its proximity to an abun- 

 dant supply of water. As it is easier to suppress a fire that is just 

 beginning than to attack one that has already spread, numerous 

 pots of water should always be kept handy at different points. 



Besides depot registers punctiliously written up as each transac- 

 tion occurs, a special rate-book should be kept wherein all fluctua- 

 tions of prices both at the depot and in the open market are care- 

 fully recorded. 



The mode of sale will generally be by open tenders, sealed tenders 

 and public auctions being resorted to only in the case of such stock 

 as must be got rid of at once. Stock of this kind will generally 

 consist of deteriorating material or material likely to deteriorate if 

 not sold off quickly. But if it is not possible to place a well-paid 

 and trustworthy man in charge, the only plan to follow in effect- 

 ing the ordinary sales is to fix from time to time, for the guidance of 

 the establishment, a tariff of prices, to which the utmost publicity 

 should be given. 



