TIMBER STORAGE IN THE EASTERN AND SOUTHERN STATES. 11 
where widespread infections of some of the worst building fungi in 
the country have been prevalent in the foundation timbers and stored 
lumber in contact with them (PL X, figs. 1 and 3). Many of the 
sheds over low ground have drainage canals beneath to carry away 
excess water, and in some instances, where the pitch of the ground is 
not sufficient, stagnant water may accumulate over long periods. 
This may cause high humidities, approaching saturation, which per- 
mit the white cottony mycelium of wood-destroying fungi to develop 
rapidly over the surface of the timber. In general, it has been the 
experience of the writer that 
moisture conditions around 
the foundations of storage 
sheds are often very favor- 
able to decay. 
Leaky roofs at times be- 
come a source of trouble. A 
few instances have come to 
the writer's attention where 
comparatively small leaks 
have caused a considerable 
amount of visible, material 
decay in the upper parts of 
lumber piles. However, 
when we realize that in 
many cases the infection, on 
account of the short time in 
storage, does not have the op- 
portunity to cause marked 
deterioration, but still is 
present in an incipient stage 
ready to progress farther 
when placed under moist conditions, we can readily see the serious 
consequences which may ultimately accrue. 
P70F 
Fig. 6. — Large storage shed at Laurel, Miss., set 
on concrete piers, high off the ground, with 
ample ventilation from all sides. This is the 
best type of construction. 
CONDITION OF STORAGE YARDS AT MILLS. 
GENERAL SANITATION. 
The vital necessity, viewed from the standpoint of decay, for abso- 
lute cleanliness around lumberyards is perhaps not fully appreciated 
by most lumbermen. The question of fire hazard, however, has led 
most mills to take certain steps in this direction which are of very 
great importance. These steps have usually assumed the form of 
keeping grass and weeds down, particularly in the dry season, and 
of removing rotten debris to a considerable extent. 
