61 
Part V.] Sweet; On Air Seasoning of Indian Timbers. 
Inasmuch as the climatic conditions of this Division and the mois- 
ture content of air-seasoned wood are similar to those in Coorg and 
the Wynaad, conclusions which are drawn are applicable to the three 
Divisions. [See (xii) Coorg, page 58]. 
(xv) G.vnjam Division, Madras. 
There were five species under test in Ganjam which, with one 
exception, were woods of high density. The final inspection was car- 
ried out in January, 1922 at which time 20 moisture determinations 
were made. Basing the calculations on the pieces which were cer- 
tainly thoroughly air-seasoned, i.e., upon 1" boards sawn from fresh 
logs and stacked for 28 — 33 months, the average moisture content 
was 11' 5 per cent. 
From the data in Appendix I we may conclude that the following 
methods of seasoning have produced thoroughly air-seasoned timber 
at least in boards 1" thick. 
(1) Seasoning in the log for 21 — 22 months, follow'ed by con- 
version and stacking for 12 months. 
Soymida febrifuga, Cnreya arborea, Garuga pinnata and 
Sterculia iircns. 
This method was not quite sufficient to accomplish 
the complete seasoning of Bursera serrata. 
(2) Conversion four months after felling followed by stacking 
for 28 months. 
Each of the species under test in the Division was 
completely seasoned by this method. 
(3) Immersion in water for three months after conversion, fol- 
, lowed by stacking for 30 months. 
Each of the species under test as above. 
(4) Girdling for 14 months followed by conversion and stack- 
ing for 11 months. 
Each of the species as above except, probably, Soymida 
febrifuga. 
It is probable that any of the species dealt with in this Division 
can be thoroughly air-seasoned in 1" boards in about nine months 
providing the timber is converted and stacked during the rainy season 
so that it has a complete diy season after stacking. The softer woods 
in 1" boards, i.e., Sterculia urens can be seasoned in from 3 — 6 months 
of the dry season. 
Timber 1" thick and thicker w'hich tests 11 ‘5 ( +1'5) per cent, or 
less between the end of the rainy season and the middle of the dry 
season is to be considered thoroughly air-seasoned for this Division. 
Air-seasoned soft woods in thin dimensions may test somewhat higher 
prior to January following the effect of the rainy season and 2 — 3 
per cent, low’er during the hot season. The more dense the w'ood and 
the thicker the timber the closer its moisture content should approach 
11 ’5 f+ 1'5) per cent, at any time during the dry season. 
[ 207 I] 
