Part V.] Sweet: On Air Seasoning of Indian Timbers. 
23 
Green conversion resulted in more surface cracking and a lower 
general average than the other methods. 
For structural purposes where blue-stain \s no defect girdling and 
seasoning in ihe log gave the best general results. However, these 
methods must be avoided if the general appearance of the wood has 
to be considered; in which case, blue-stain would become an import- 
ant defect. 
The successful seasoning of this timber depends upon slow, 
uniform drjung to prevent cracking, but with sufficient circulation of 
air to minimise the staining. The logs should be converted during 
or near the end of the rainy season. 
(4) Albizzia stipulata (Appendix I — 4). Kangra Division, Punjab. 
This species showed a tendency toward rather severe sphtting 
and was considerably damaged in the sapwood and outer heartwood 
by small borers, but otherwise seasoned very well. The living trees 
of this species are liable to attack by live-wood borers; consequently 
the seasoning has no effect upon this condition. 
Green conversion gave the best results, largely due to the reduc- 
tion in the splitting, and to the minimizing of the borer attack in 
the sapwood. 
Water seasoning also reduced the splitting as compared with 
seasoning in the log and girdling, but the general results were 
lowered by the surface discoloration due to the immersion in water. 
Seasoning in the log gave the poorest results due to splitting and 
damage by large and small borers. The sapwood was also decayed 
to a considerable extent. 
This species seasons best when converted green, which treatment 
serves to eliminate the splitting and to reduce the damage done by 
insects and fungi. With proper methods of stacking and protection 
this wood may be seasoned with little depreciation. 
(5) Alstonia scholaris (Appendix I — 5). Wynaad Division, Madras. 
The susceptibility to discoloration, decay, and insect attack w'ere 
the principal characteristics attending the seasoning of this species 
Other defects were negligible. 
Water seasoning and green conversion gave the best results. 
There was the minimum of discoloration in the timber submerged 
in water for three months. Immersion in running water probably 
had the effect of w'ashing off the sap from the exterior of the pieces 
and consequently reduced the amount of discoloration. However, 
the reduction may have been due partially to the season of the year 
at which the boards were stacked for final seasoning. 
Seasoning in the log and girdling resulted in marked damage by 
borers, discoloration, and decay. 
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