UTILIZATION OF BASSWOOD. 17 
pieces 16 square feet and over may have two standard defects or their 
equivalent. Seconds are also 6 inches and over wide, and pieces can 
have from one to five standard defects or their equivalent for from 
5 to 20 square feet, surface measure, as specified. Firsts and seconds 
are generally combined as one grade, called "firsts and seconds" and 
designated as FAS. In this combined grade there must be at least 
20 per cent of firsts. Lengths are 8 to 16 feet, and there must be 
not more than 20 per cent under 12 feet long and not more than 
10 per cent 8 and 9 feet long. 
The grade " selects ■ ' includes pieces 4 inches and over wide and 6 feet 
and over long, with not more than 30 per cent under 12 feet long and 
not over 5 per cent of 6 and 7 foot lengths. In general the best face 
of pieces in selects must grade not below seconds and the reverse face 
not below No. 1 common. Admission into this grade also depends on 
amount of waste caused by defects in each piece. 
Nos. 1, 2, and 3 common grades include pieces 3 inches and over 
wide and 4 feet and over long. No. 1 common must have not to 
exceed 5 per cent of 3-inch widths, with not over 30 per cent shorter 
than 10 feet, and not to exceed 10 per cent of 4 and 5 foot lengths. 
Pieces 4 and 5 feet long, also pieces 3 and 4 inches wide and 6 and 7 
feet long, must be clear of defects. Other pieces must work at least 
66 § per cent clear face in from one to four cuttings of specified mini- 
mum sizes, depending on the dimensions of the pieces. No. 2 com- 
mon must have not more than 10 per cent of 4 and 5 foot lengths. 
Pieces must work at least 50 per cent sound in not more than three 
to five cuttings, depending on the size of the piece. Cuttings must 
be at least 3 inches wide by 2 feet long. Pieces in No. 3 common 
grade must contain at least 25 per cent of sound cuttings, each of 
which must have a minimum width of 1J inches and a minimum 
surface area of 36 square inches. It is specifically noted in these 
rules that black spots and black streaks are defects in all grades, 
and care must be exercised in estimating their damage, for if any 
piece has an excessive amount its grade will be lowered. 
Table 6 gives average stumpage values of basswood timber for the 
years 1907 and 1912. These are averages of reports from a large 
number of timberland owners. Table 7 gives prices based on many 
reports of actual sales of stumpage in 1912. Prices of maple, birch, 
and beech are included for comparison. Reports obtained on stump- 
age sales in 1920 indicate a considerable increase in prices. Selling 
prices for Michigan and Wisconsin averaged $10, and an average 
selling price of $19.40 was reported on sales of basswood stumpage 
in Ohio. This high figure for Ohio probably includes small lots of 
choice timber. Reports on sales in States where the timberland has 
been largely cut over show much variation in price. Basswood is 
generally purchased together with other hardwood timber, such as 
64281°— 22— Bull'. 1007 3 
