INDIAN FOREST RECORDS 
Vol. VII. 
1919 
Part VI. 
Note on the Mechanical Strength and Seasoning 
Properties of Shorea robusta (Sal) Timber. 
BY 
R. S. PEARSON, I.F.S., F.L.S., 
Economist at the Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun . 
Introduction. 
I N 1913 a Forest Memoir was published (Vol. II, Part II, Economic 
Series) dealing with the Economic Value of Shorea robusta (Sal). In 
the introduction to this publication it was stated that the records under 
sub-heads IX, Hardness and Toughness, and X Seasoning were incom¬ 
plete, as under the former sub-head the necessary machinery to carry 
out the tests was not available, that the seasoning experiments had only 
been in progress a little over a year and that therefore definite results 
were not available. The enquiry has since been completed and the 
results are embodied in this note. 
A reference to pages 8, 10 and 12 of the above-mentioned memoir 
will show that the tests for transverse strain, compression and shearing 
on specimens of Central Provinces Sal were carried out on specimens 
containing from 20 per cent, to 29 per cent, of moisture. It was there¬ 
fore decided to retest both the Central Provinces’ and United Provinces’ 
Sal when thoroughly air dry. The results of the tests are given here¬ 
after. 
The tests were carried out by Babu Gyan Singh, under supervision 
of the writer. 
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