44 
Indian Forest Records. 
[VOL. IX 
Water seasoning resulted in more surface cracking than the other 
methods and gave the poorest general results especially in South 
Chanda and Sambalpur. 
Seasoning in the log was accompanied by considerable splitting, 
and in the South Chanda Division the timber so seasoned was badly 
damaged by borers. In Sambalpur and Ganjam the logs contained 
but very little sap wood and were unattacked by borers. 
Green conversion gave the best general results. The cracking and 
splitting were not excessive, and the damage by insects was less than 
by other methods. 
Wherever possible, prompt conversion during or near the end of 
the rainy season must follow the cutting of the trees. It is essential 
to provide ample protection against the sun and dry winds. 
(47) Sterculia urens (Appendix I — 47). Ganjam Division, Madras. 
This species seasoned with few defects, except those due to white 
ants and fungi in the sap wood. The heartwood remained immune to 
insects and decay. Surface cracking, cupping, and splitting did little 
real damage to the timber. The wood is to be classed as a non-re- 
fractory timber. 
Aside from the damage to the sapwood during seasoning in the log, 
all methods of seasoning gave good and much the same results. 
Seasoning in the log resulted in more surface cracking and splitting 
than the other methods and gave somewhat the poorest results. 
Girdling gave slightly the best results although not enough better than 
green conversion to warrant special effort. 
In view of the susceptibility of this timber to severe depreciation in 
the sapwood, prompt conversion during the dry season soon after 
felling is recommended. 
(48) Sterculia villosa (Appendix I — 48). Kalimpong Division, Bengal. 
The wood of this species is extremely liable to severe damage by 
decay and insects during the seasoning. Cracking and twisting were 
entirely absent, but there was some splitting in the timber seasoned 
in the log. On the surface of the converted pieces there was consider- 
able discoloration, but it did not penetrate deeply into the wood.. 
White ant attack was most noticeable in the vertically piled boards at 
the ends in contact w’ith the soil. 
Seasoning in the log and girdli)ig resulted in unuseable mateidal. 
In the former case the timber w^as badly decayed and eaten by white 
ants, and in the latter the borers had riddled the trees to such an extent 
as to preclude the use of the converted timber for any purpose. 
Green conversion and water seasoning gave the best results. 
Inasmuch as this wood is very liable to decay and insect attack, 
every effort should be made tc convert the logs immediately after 
felling, preferably in the dry season. The pieces should then be openly 
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