134 THE BOOK OF FORESTRY 
is that of seasoning, which may be done by piling in the 
open air for several months and permitting the moisture 
to evaporate gradually, or as in most modern mills the 
moisture may be removed by stacking in an oven, and 
heating to a high temperature for a short time. The 
latter way 1s much quicker, and saves much time in wait- 
ing for the timber to dry. When seasoning has been 
completed the lumber is then sorted and piled, awaiting 
shipment, and is ready to be made into houses, furniture 
or put to any of the countless uses which make the 
products of our forests so necessary to our civilization. 
