Part V.] Sweet: On Air Seasoning of Indian Timbers. 
57 
Whenever possible it should be converted toward the end of the rainy 
season and stacked until the end of the hot weather. Boswellia serrata 
should be seasoned up to a thickness of 2" in one complete dry 
season. 
The normal variation in the moisture content of seasoned timber 
in this 'Division is from about 11 per cent, in the dry season to 20 per 
cent, during the rains. 
(fx) Lahore Division, Punjab. 
The data at hand as to the moisture content of air-seasoned timber 
in the Lahore Division are based on 47 determinations of one species. 
The tests were made early in January, 1921 at the season of relatively 
high atmospheric humidity in this region. Basing the calculations on 
pieces which are certain to be absolutely air-seasoned, that is, upon 
1" boards converted from green logs and stacked in open piles for 23 
months, the average moisture content is 8’3 per cent. 
There is evidence that 8‘3 per cent, approaches the maximum 
moisture content even in the wet season of thoroughly air-seasoned 
timber in thicknesses of 1" and thicker in this region. The moisture 
content would be considerably less (probably as low as 4' 5 per cent.) 
in the dry season particularly in boards which would come in 
complete equilibrium with dry weather conditions. 
Using 8' 3 (-f- i'5) per cent, as the moisture content in January of 
thoroughly air-seasoned boards 1" thick, it is evident from Appendix 
I that each of the methods, as summarized below, has produced 
thoroughly air-seasoned wood in the dimensions specified : 
(1) 18 months in the log after felling, followed by conversion 
and stacking for five months. 
1" boards and 3"x3" scantlings are thoroughly seasoned 
although 3^" X 3J" scantlings are not quite seasoned. 
(2) Green conversion followed by stacking for 23 months. 
V boards and 3" x 3|" scantlings are thoroughly seasoned. 
(3) Immersion in water for four months after conversion, fol 
lowed by stacking for 19 months. 
1" boards and 3" x 3J-" scantlings are thoroughly seasoned. 
(4) Girdling for 18 months, followed by conversion and stack- 
ing for five months. 
1" boards and 3" x 3" scantlings are thoroughly seasoned. 
Melia Azedarach in 1" boards probably can be thoroughly air- 
seasoned in the six months of one dry season from January to 
June. Thicker dimensions will require pioportionately more time. 
(x) K.\ngra Division, Punjab. 
The 22 moisture content determinations in Kangra were made on 
■one species and were taken in July, 1921 after a very dry hot season. 
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