42 
Indian Forest Records. 
[VoL. IX 
method is not recommended. Seasoning in the log gave somewhat the 
poorest results as a whole, principally due to surface cracking and the 
attack of borers. Water seasoning or green conversion is recom- 
mended for this timber. 
The point to be home in mind in seasoning this wood is that ample 
protection from rapid seasoning immediately after conversion is 
a,bsolutely necessary to prevent excessive surface cracking. The logs 
should be converted during or near the end of the rainy season. Pro- 
per stacking will do much to reduce the cupping and twisting. 
(48) Pterosperm-am acerifo.dum (.(Appendix I — 43). Kalimpoog 
Division, Bengal. 
Very satisfactory results were obtained in the seasoning of this 
wood. The chief characteristics of the seasoning were a slight tendency 
toward surface cracking and splitting and a rather marked liability 
to borer attack regardless of the method of seasoning. These borers 
may have got into the timber after conversion or during the short time 
that the logs were awaiting conversion. However, only in the case 
of the timber seasoned in the log did the borers do any serious damage. 
There was no decay in the heartwood in any case and but little in the 
sap wood. The freshly cut wood took on a reddish brown discolor- 
ation on the surface upon exposure io the air, but it was easily planed 
off. This was particularly noticeable in the case of green conversion 
and girdling. 
Green conversion gave the best results because the surface cracking 
and splitting were reduced, and the damage done by borers was but 
shght. 
Seasoning in the log resulted in serious damage by small borers in 
both heartwood and sapwood and also in considerable splitting. 
Water seasoning increased the surface cracking. 
The susceptibility of this timber to damage by borers while in the 
form of logs necessitates prompt conversion after felling. If the 
converted timber is piled under cover from direct sun to prevent 
surface cracking, very good results may be expected. 
(44) Saccopetalum tomentosum (Appendix I — 44). Gonda Division, 
United Provinces. 
This species is to be classed as a moderately refractory wood sub- 
ject to damage by surface cracking, cupping, and splitting if carelessly 
or improperly handled. A tendency toward discoloration in the 
sapwood, moulding, and attack by insects are marked characteristics 
of the timber. 
Green conversion, although resulting in somewhat more surface 
cracking than, seasoning m the log, gave the best general results aside 
from the mould which was due to piling the timber in a semi-tight shed. 
Water seasoning gave good results — second to those of green con- 
version. 
[ 188 ,] 
