Part V.] Sweet; On Air Seasoning of Indian Timbers. 5^ 
indica. A total of 54 moisture determinations were made at the time 
of inspection in February, 1922. Taken at that season of the year 
they represent approximately the mean of dry seasonal conditions of 
the region. The average moisture content of 1" boards of all species, 
which had been converted from green logs and stacked for 18 — 24 
months in open piles in a sheltered position, was 14'8 per cent. There 
is every reason to believe that the pieces from which the tests were 
taken were thoroughly air-seasoned for the region. 
Using 14'8 (+ I'o) per cent, as the moisture content of 
thoroughly air-seasoned boards 1" thick in February, it may be con- 
cluded from data shown in Appendix I that each method of treat- 
ment has produced thoroughly seasoned w'ood at least in 1" boards 
with a possible exception in the case of Hardivickia finnata. 
There is little indication as to how much less time is required for 
equally thorough air-seasoning although it is evident that green con- 
version except in the case of Hardwiclcia ■pinnata and Dipterocarpus 
turbinatus has resulted in thorough seasoning of 2" x 4" scantlings as 
well as 1" boards in the periods specified. 
It is probable that in this region of India fully nine months (in- 
cluding a complete dry season) are required for the thorough air- 
seasoning of 1^' boards of the more dense woods such as Hopea par- 
viflora ‘ and Dipterocarpus tnrbinaiiis. Evidently in the case of 
Hardivickia pinnata even more time is required. The less dense 
species such as Vateria indica and Calophylluni tomentosum probably 
can be thoroughly seasoned in 1" boards in one complete dry season. 
Timber 1" thick and thicker wdiich tests 14-8 (^1-5) per cent., or 
less, between the end of the rainy season and the middle of the dry 
season may be considered thoroughly air-seasoned for the locality. 
Soft woods in the thinner dimensions, which may be considered 
thoi'oughly air-seasoned, will show a higher moisture content (from 
24 — 26 per cent.) following the effects of the rainy season and a 
slightly lower moisture content at the end of the hot season. The 
more dense the wood and the thicker the timber the closer its mois- 
ture content should approach 14‘8 ( I ‘5) per cent, at any time 
during the dry season. 
The above deductions are generally applicable to the Wynaad and 
South Mangalore Divisions, Madras. [See (xiv) South Mangalore 
Division, page 60] . 
(xiii) Wyxaad Division, Madras. 
Only three species were under test in this Division, and all of 
them were soft w'oods. Fifteen moisture determinations were made 
in February, 1922 at the time of final inspection of the experiments. 
The average moisture content of 1'' boards sawn from green logs and 
stacked for 19 months in open piles in a sheltered position was 15'3 
per cent. 
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