
THE ATR SEASONING OF WESTERN SOFTWOOD LUMBER 31 
condition. The stock crossers showed a final moisture content about 
5) per cent higher than the stock itself. 
Startling as these actual degrade losses (almost entirely from 
checking) in self-crossed common pine may appear, they do not tell 
the whole story. The stock piled on itself showed 68 per cent of the 
ends checked as against 16 per cent for that piled on special crossers. 
In self-crossed piles an average of 85 per cent of the pieces showed 
end checks 4 to 8 inches long, and over 50 per cent were checked at 
beth ends. In addition, 22 per cent of the self-crossed stock was 
stained, as compared with 10 per cent by the other method. Although 
such seasoning defects do not ordinarily cause degrade in common 
pine, they do mean a “harder” or lower average grade. ‘his is 
certainly a consideration when the lumber is sold in competition with 
similar stock seasoned on special crossers. A bright product with 
little end check is surely a trade advantage. 
In Douglas fir common, it was found that degrade in the stock 
crossers because of season check is likely to range from 25 per cent in 
1 by 8 inch stock to 75 per cent in 1 by 12 inch. In 8/4, or 2-inch 
No. 1 common, such degrade was almost negligible, but in 2-inch 
select common it averaged from 10 per cent in 2 by 8 inch stock te 
25 per cent in 2 by 12 inch. These investigations also showed that 
season-check degrade of the regular stock in self-crossed piles is 
largely due to the use of stock crossers. This varies from 2 per cent 
in 1 by 8 inch No. 1 and select common to 20 per cent in 1 by 12 inch. 
With 2-inch No. 1 common, such degrade is negligible, but it ranges 
he 2 per cent in 2 by 8 inch select common to 15 per cent 1n 2 by 12 
inch. 
In practice the choice between special and stock crossers varies 
greatly with the region and species. In the Inland Empire all No. 
3 shop-and-better pine is air seasoned on special crossers, and prob- 
ably 50 per cent of the yards are piling some common in this manner. 
Other species are very generally self-crossed. In the California pine 
territory the practice with No. 3 shop-and-better is similar, and the 
use of special crossers with the common and box grades of pine is 
increasing. In the Douglas fir region, owing apparently to the 
fact that selects are not air seasoned and that the species handled do 
not stain, self-crossing is the common practice. Methods vary widely 
between redwood plants, but although stain is not a factor special 
crossers are often used. 
Increased use of the special crosser is a definite need in all these 
regions. ‘There is no question that its use on select and shop grades 
is entirely justified, and on certain grades of common it will avoid 
depreciation losses amounting to far more than the additional oper- 
ating cost. The added expense, including the extra handling and 
piling cost as well as the depreciation of the special crosser, is very 
generally placed at 25 cents per thousand feet of stock piled. But 
even if this figure is doubled, an appreciable net saving is generally 
ae in addition to the production of brighter lumber in the higher 
rades. 
Although the extent to which special crossers can be used is largely 
an individual-plant problem and one that justifies thorough study, 
certain general standards can be cited. Special crossers should 
ordinarily be used with pine for 8-inch and wider No. 3 common- 
