THE AIR SEASONING OF WESTERN SOFTWOOD LUMBER 13 
AIR-SEASONING PRACTICE 
THE DRYING YARD 
SITE SELECTION 
The location of a yard site is largely controlled by such necessary 
considerations as timber supply and transportation facilities, and 
generally climatic conditions have little weight. But when these 
larger considerations have determined the approximate location, 
then elevation, topography, surface, and drainage should be taken 
into account in the choice of the actual site. (PI. 1.) 
Marked differences in elevation, even within a rather limited area, 
make a difference in the extremes of temperature and humidity. 

Fie. 4.—A, the flask-shaped fruiting body of a blue-stain fungus; B, the 
minute spores ejected from the tip of the fruiting body, and capable of 
germinating and starting new infections 
Topographical features may materially influence the direction and 
volume of wind movement as well as the amount of direct sunlight 
which reaches the yard each day, thus playing a very direct part in 
drying and also exerting an indirect influence on the rapidity with 
which the soil dries after rains, the snow melts, and the fog clears 
away. 
The slope and regularity of the ground have an important bearing 
on surface drainage, on proper construction of pile foundations, and 
on yard transportation. Poor drainage in the lumber yard is defi- 
nitely a contributory cause of slow drying, particularly in those 
periods of the year when more rapid drying is most desirable. It 
may also hinder transportation and other operations in the yard. 
