
THE AIR SEASONING OF WESTERN SOFTWOOD LUMBER a 
change. However, if slow drying is a serious problem, reduction in 
the width of the piles must be considered, since it is a very definite 
remedy for such a condition. But with the more usual situation, 
sluggish drying can be avoided by other and less troublesome modi- 
fications in pile construction. As a general proposition square piles 
are most desirable for stock 10 to 16 feet in length. Lumber 18 feet 
and longer should be seasoned in piles not over 16 feet in width. 
Here, not only is the rate of drying involved, but this class of stock 
is commonly produced in such small volume that large piles would be 
kept open too long. 
PILH HEIGHTS 
Height of piles probably averages 14 to 18 feet, or 80 to 100 courses 
of inch lumber, fairly generally throughout the western country, 
although higher and lower piles are customary in certain districts. 
Hand piling is limited to about 100 courses in tracked yards and to 
80 courses where lumber is piled from the ground. Above these 
heights machine pilers or other mechanical methods are necessary. 
Ordinarily, when all factors are considered, a maximum pile height 
of about 18 feet, or 100 courses of inch lumber, is most desirable. 
It is true that, higher piles are more economical of yard space but 
very definite disadvantages must be admitted. Average cost of piling 
is increased, and a larger depreciation from sphtting and breakage 
may occur. Another very important objection is the bad effect of 
high piles, as already noted, in shading the lower sections of the piles 
and also in increasing the difference in rate of drying between the top 
and bottom of the pile. It may be contended that higher piles permit 
more stock to season under the more favorable conditions that prevail 
in the upper sections, but there is a fallacy in this general assumption. 
Although in a single high pile in the yard an increased proportion of 
the stock would probably be benefited; in a yard made up of high 
piles such an advantage would not be found. The unfavorable drying 
conditions both within and adjacent to the piles would not only be 
intensified, but their general level would be raised throughout the 
yard. With the differential between the rates of drying at top and 
bottom increased, the time required to bring all stock to desired mois- 
ture content would not be shortened, and the hability of depreciation 
from shrinkage defects would be greater, at least during certain 
periods of the year. 
PILE PITCH 
Lumber piles are commonly constructed with a pitch or an incline 
toward the alley which results in a gradually accumulating overhang 
at the front of the pile. Usually this is shght, but it occasionally 
averages an inch to each foot of height. This pitch, which allows 
the drip from the front stickers to fall clear of the pile instead of 
draining into it, is of much less importance where real roof protec- 
tion is provided, permitting plenty of overhang at the front and rear 
of the pile. A slight incline toward the alley, in effect just enough 
to guard against a backward pitch, is, however, an advantage in the 
mechanical operation of piling. 
