THE AIR SEASONING OF WESTERN SOFTWOOD LUMBER 43 
To obtain faster drying in the lower part of the pile and thus 
decrease the differential in rate of seasoning between the bottom and 
top sections and to reduce as well stain development in the lower 
portion without increasing the rate in the upper part, the following 
methods are of value: 
Thicker crossers in lower third of pile, 
Horizontal openings at intervals. 
Short chimneys at bottom of piles of even-width stock. 
Flared chimneys in random-width stock. 
The elimination of stock depreciation resulting from excessively 
rapid drying, which usually occurs in the upper half of the pile, can 
be attained with little slackening of drying in the lower half by such 
practices as— 
Narrower spacing between piles. 
Thinner crossers in upper half of pile. 
Narrower spacing between boards, 
In the development of air-seasoning practice the manner in which 
piling is done is a consideration of major importance. No matter 
how efficient are the methods adopted, the results are in no small 
measure dependent upon the actual construction of the individual 
pile. Flues and chimneys must be carried up without being ob- 
structed by carelessly misplaced boards. (Pl. 8, B.) In random- 
width stock if less than three chimneys are used consistent spacing 
between boards is essential. Each crosser should bear directly on the 
one beneath. (PI. 8,C.) The front and rear crossers should always 
project beyond the stock to afford protection to the ends. (PI. 8, B.) 
When random-width lumber is crossed with itself, reasonable effort 
should be made to select the narrowest widths for crossers. Finally, 
careless handling should not be tolerated, since this can mean a very 
appreciable loss. 
Any means of supervision or system of payment for piling that 
will assure careful pile construction should be followed. Observa- 
tion in numerous yards indicates that piling by men paid day wages 
usually comes nearer to consistent attainment than does the contract 
method. An increase in the piling cost of as much as 25 cents per 
thousand feet looks small in comparison with some of the proved 
savings from reduced depreciation. One principle should be firmly 
fixed: Improvement of the air-seasoning practice is of first impor- 
tance, and prejudices and preferences of the lumber piler as to the 
manner of doing his work are secondary. 
REGIONAL AIR-SEASONING PROBLEMS AND THEIR 
SOLUTION 
INLAND EMPIRE PINE REGION 
GENERAL CONDITIONS 
The pine-producing region known as the Inland Empire is usually 
considered as embracing Montana, Idaho, and those sections of Wash- 
ington and Oregon east of the Cascade Range. Naturally, within a 
territory of this size considerable variation in weather conditions is 
found. The region, as a whole, is, however, distinguished by certain 
common climatic characteristics which exert rather definite influences 
