Part V.] Sweet; On Air Seasoning of Indian Timbers. 
75 
CHAPTER IX. 
The Treatment of Logs in Storage v/hen Prompt Conversion after 
Felling is Impossible. 
Emphasis is laid in this note on the necessity of the prompt conver- 
sion of logs soon after felling in order to accomplish the seasoning under 
controlled conditions before the logs have been seriously damaged 
through splitting, cracking, insects, and fungi. It is important to lay 
stress on this point, so that, even though the present state of affairs 
will not permit strict compliance therewith, extraction schemes for 
the future may be developed to bring about this condition. 
The actual improvement of the present practice and the solution 
of the current problems necessitate a compromise with the ideal, and 
call for recommendations as to how' to proceed to get better results 
even under present conditions. 
It is believed that, after the logs are converted, the recommenda- 
tions as given for piling practice and means of sheltering the timber 
are simple of apphcation and can be easily and directly complied with 
under the present state of affairs. However, under the present con- 
ditions of the transport of logs and the manufacture of lumber in 
India, prompt conversion in many cases is impossible so that the 
most effective means of accomphshing the seasoning, even by natural 
methods, cannot be followed in all cases. Really satisfactory’ results 
and the full value of the timber can never be realised until these 
conditions are changed, but it is the w’riter’s opinion that something 
can be done to bring about better results in spite of existing difficulties. 
Improvement depends upon devising means of protecting the logs 
as much as possible from the time they are felled until they are con- 
verted. It is impossible to give a general formula for this protection. 
Individual cases must be studied in the light of local circumstances, 
but the general methods of control are as indicated below. 
(i) Log ponds. 
Wherever possible, logs which cannot be converted soon after 
felling should be completely submerged in water. Htorage under fresh 
water (not salt or brackish) prevents splitting, cracking, insect attack, 
decay, and staining. Alternate wetting and drying results in cracking 
and decay. 
(ii) Storage on l.and. 
Where the storage under water is impossible, much can be done to 
improve storage conditions on land. 
(a) Skidding . — In the timber depot, in the forest, or along the line 
of transport, the logs should rest on skids if they are to remain in 
one place for more than a few days. Skids lift the logs from the 
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