vu 
in India will be in direct proportion to ^our understanding of this 
relation. 
As to the necessity of seasoning there can be no argument nor 
Qccasion for further discussion here. The point of importance is how 
the seasoning should be accomplished. Little is known except for a 
few species as to the seasoning characteristics of Indian timbers, the 
best method of handling them after cutting, and the forms of depre- 
ciation to which they are especially liable before they are ready for 
use. The pressing need of the moment is to initiate the practice of 
adequate seasoning before the timber is put to use. 
There is little question but that the most effective and the ulti- 
mate solution of many of the timber seasoning problems in India lies 
in the prompt conversion of the logs followed by artificial drying in 
seasoning kilns. But this does not mean that radical improvement 
can come only with kilns. Although there are several instances at 
present where the installation of kilns is the most feasible solution 
of the problems at hand and where the' advantages would be most 
pronounced, nevertheless, - it is believed that sound policy involves 
the immediate acceptance of the necessity of thorough air-seasoning 
as the standard practice to be departed from only in special cases 
after a careful analysis of local conditions. This has been the line 
of development in Europe and America. In spite of the fact that 
the lumber producers in those countries are now rather rapidly turn- 
ing from air-seasoning to kiln-seasoning, it is the writer’s opinion that 
the seasoning practice in India may well follow along the high points 
of the lines of development elsewhere, at least until the advantages 
of proper seasoning are generally more appreciated. 
Kegardless of whether this becomes the accepted policy for general 
development in India, in the absence of seasoning kilns, immediate 
requirements can best be met by prompt conversion (except in spe- 
cial cases) at the most favourable season of the year, followed by 
careful stacking in specially provided seasoning sheds. 
Too often natural seasoning means slip-shod methods of stacking 
the lumber in the open exposed to sun, wind, and rain, and the 
ravages of insects and fungi ; but there is no reason why this should 
be the case. Keally satisfactory methods involve consideration of 
the advantages for various species of such methods of treatment as 
girdling, green conversion, water seasoning, and seasoning in the log; 
the rate of seasoning and the extent required under various con- 
ditions; the amount and kind of protection from the elements that 
the various species require; the time of year that the trees are felled 
and converted, and the care of the logs prior to conversion so as to 
protect them against splitting and the attack of insects and fungi. 
Such factors are of fundamental importance and the problems in- 
volved, even for any one species, are by no means easy of solution 
except by careful study. 
