'2 Indian Forest Records. [Yol. YII 
only result in throwing enormous quantities of hardwood timbers on 
our hands to be marketed to the best advantage. 
To introduce and create a market for such timbers, it is necessary 
to place them before the public in the best possible condition and this 
can only be done by proper conversion, followed by careful stacking 
and seasoning according to correct principles.. 
II. General Outline of the Enquiry. 
The selection of species to be tested was based on proposals made 
by the Chief Conservators and Conservators of Forests of most of the 
Provinces and Circles in India and Burma. The scheme according to 
which the experiments were to be carried out was drawn up by the writer 
and his Assistant Mr. C. E. C. Cox, after having circularized all Forest 
Officers, Sawmill Managers and Timber Firms with a view to obtaining 
information as to the practical methods of seasoning at present in vogue. 
From replies received it was apparent that no regular system for 
timber-seasoning was commonly pursued in India. 
Appendix I is a copy of the original scheme, a precis of which is 
given below :— 
(1) Seasoning of timber in the log, either (a) in the open or ( b ) in 
the shade, with either bark on or off, for varying periods, 
and subsequent conversion and seasoning of the sawn material, 
so as to bring the total seasoning period up to 36 months. 
(2) Girdling trees, left standing for periods varying from 12 to 30 
months, thereafter felling and conversion of the logs and 
further seasoning of the sawn material so as to bring the 
total seasoning period up to 36 months. 
(3) -Seasoning logs, immersed either in fresh water or in the mud 
of tidal creeks, followed by a further period of seasoning, 
after conversion, so as to bring the total seasoning period 
up to 36 months. 
(4) Felling trees at different seasons of the year and subsequent 
seasoning in the log and after conversion in the form of 
planks. 
(5) Conversion of green logs, the converted material being either 
placed in stacks to season under cover or immersed at once 
in water for a stated period previous to seasoning under 
cover. 
(6) Seasoning timber in the log with bark on, and the ends of the 
logs treated with either Loracine, or Ligno, or Tar and 
cowdung, with subsequent conversion and seasoning for a 
total period of 36 months. 
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