316 FOREST PRODUCTS 



and the drying action of the wind, they may check seriously. If poles 

 are to be treated, they should be thoroughly seasoned. In any case, 

 seasoning is of importance in saving freight charges. The decrease in 

 weight in the seasoning process may be anywhere from 20 to 50 per cent 

 according to Weiss, or 180 to 850 lb. per pole. 



When the top diameter of green poles is measured, i in. is customarily 

 allowed for shrinkage in circumference, although shrinkage in such 

 species of low specific gravity as the cedars and chestnut would be much 

 less than in oak, or the heavier pines. When end checking becomes 

 evident, the poles should be protected from further deterioration by 

 means of " S " irons. 



The best method of seasoning is to provide skids or stickers between 

 the poles so that free currents of air may carry off the moisture. When 

 once seasoned the poles should be shipped at once or a roof placed over 

 them. 



All poles should be seasoned for four full seasoning months. In 

 determining what should constitute an equivalent of this period, the 

 calendar months have been rated as follows : 



January equals | seasoning month; 

 February equals | seasoning month; 

 March equals j seasoning month; 

 April equals | seasoning month; 



May equals | seasoning month; 



June equals i seasoning month ; 



July equals i seasoning month; 



August equals i seasoning month; 

 September equals i seasoning month ; 

 October equals f seasoning month; 

 November equals f seasoning month; 

 December equals | seasoning month. 



Yarding, seasoning and loading costs from i to 2| cents per lineal 

 foot, depending upon yarding facihties, amount handled, labor costs, 

 efhciency, labor-saving devices, etc. Heavy cranes, log loaders and gin 

 poles are used for unloading, piling and loading. Loading alone costs 

 about I cent per hneal foot. 



Poles over 40 ft. in length must be loaded on two flat cars. The 

 following table shows the approximate number of western red cedar 

 poles of each size used for single and double car-load lots^ 



