70 
Indian Forest Records. 
[VOL. IX 
surface for the pile to rest- upon. Squared timbers are often used 
and are considei’ably better than rough logs, but unless they are 
especially treated with preservative, they are very short lived and 
soon rot away in contact with the soil — spreading fungal attack and 
insects to the sound timber. Concrete or brick work foundations are 
most satisfactory and permanent. They may be put in most econo- 
mically as small piers spaced not more than four feet apart each 
way. Solid squared timbers such as 6" x 6" or 5" x 8" should be 
laid" across the top of the piers perpendicular to the length of the 
pile in order to form a firm bearing for the timber. 
(b) Pitch of stacks . — If the timber is to be seasoned in a shed, the 
foundations should be level or all of the same height. If the timber 
is to be yard piled, with but little protection from rain beating in at 
the sides, there must be a difference in the elevation of the foundations 
from front to back to give a pitch of 1 foot in 10. 
The pitch of the pile may be either parallel or perpendicular to the 
length of the boards. The former method results in a more stable 
pile and a more compact yard and is the method commonly used. 
However, the latter method affords better and quicker drainage to 
any water that beats onto the timber, inasmuch as the crossers are 
in the same direction as the pitch instead of against it. Soft non- 
durable woods which must be exposed to frequent rains during season- 
ing should be piled according to the latter, method. 
(c) Sorting'of lengths and spacing . — So far as possible, only pieces 
of equal length should be piled together in the same stack. When 
pieces of unequal length must be piled together, the longer pieces 
should be sorted out and placed at the bottom of the pile. Long 
pieces should never be allowed to overhang shorter ones. The location 
of the foundations should be such that the ends of the pieces to be 
seasoned rest on or immediately above the foundations. 
In piling, a space of at least f" should be left between adjacent 
pieces. Where the width of the pile exceeds five feet an open space 
gfi — 10'' wide should be left in the centre of the pile from bottom to 
top. This chimney-effect permits of greater circulation in the inside 
of the pile. In excessively wide or continuous piles these central 
flues should be provided at least every four or five feet. 
(d) Crossers . — The crossers used for separating the layers of 
boards should be specially selected, sawn from sound timber, and 
well seasoned. They should be of uniform thickness, approximately 
1" in cross section for 1\" boards and thinner material, and l\" for 
2" boards and thicker timbers. They should be sufficiently long to 
extend across the entire -width of the ordinary pile, but not to exceed 
six feet in any case. 
The crossers should be placed at intervals not more than four 
feet along the length of the pieces. For woods which are particularly 
liable to twist and warp, the crossers should be placed at intervals 
not to exceed two feet. They should be placed one directly above- 
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