50 DEPARTMENT BULLETIN 1425, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
low pine of which the adopted trade name in this territory is 
California white pine. Sugar pine accounts for an additional 15 per 
cent and white fir and Douglas fir make up the bulk of the remaining 
eut. (Table 1.) a AL ptilk es 
Air-seasoning practice in the California pine region is directly 
affected by certain manufacturing methods peculiar to this territory. 
A large proportion of selects, shop, and box lumber is cut, owing to 
the size of the timber and to trade demands. This results in a heavy 
production of stock 5/4 and thicker and the general custom has 
developed of cutting the greater part of the log into 6/4 stock. Such 
practice means that a large portion of the output is piled in random — 
widths and lengths and that extremely wide stock is not uncommon. 
Sixteen feet is ordinarily the standard length. 
Like most producing sections, the region employs generally a num- 
ber of more or less distinctive methods in its air-seasoning practice. 
Wide alleys, 16 feet or over, are the rule. The foundations, almost 
without exception, have ample height and clearance. A very appre- 
ciable amount of thick stock is air seasoned and largely in random 
widths. Sixteen-foot box piles are ordinarily used, and the trend is 
toward high piles. The standard dimensions of special crossers are 
2 by 4 inches. Stock crossers are used largely on the common and 
box grades. Although some plants employ adequate spacing between 
boards, the interval is often insufficient, particularly in random- 
width stock. The single, straight center chimney, 8 to 20 inches 
wide, is commonly used in piles of mixed widths. 
RESULTS FROM PRESENT PRACTICE 
The region as a whole suffers heavy air-seasoning losses, an 
appreciable part of which is avoidable. A careful estimate of the 
loss, compiled in connection with the studies made in that territory, 
indicated, on the basis of a drop of one grade, an average degrade 
of 22 per cent for all stock air seasoned. This means an actual 
depreciation of $2.20 for each thousand feet. The variation in 
degrade between yards was from 9 to 35 per cent. Such losses should 
provide ample incentive for improvements in air-seasoning practice. 
Blue stain, to which both species of pine are susceptible, is the 
major cause of loss. This is to be expected in view of the large cut 
of pine and the regional climatic conditions. Degrade from check- 
ing is sericus in all species, particularly white fir, and especially 
during the summer period. Losses are heaviest in the common and 
box grades as a result of the rather general practice of self-crossing 
ae stock. Cupping and knot defects also contribute to the regional 
osses, 
Although not applicable to the specific yard, Figure 8 affords a 
fairly good idea of the average drying rates and final moisture con- 
tents which can be obtained with present practice. From September 
to February a relatively long drying period is necessitated, and 
during only seven months of the year will stock in pile come down 
to an average moisture content of 15 per cent or less. Ordinarily, 
stock air-dry in October, if left on crossers in the yard, will there- 
after begin to pick up moisture and by the end of January will 
contain 20 per cent or more. 
