SAP-STAIN, MOLD, AND DECAY IN GREEN WOOD. 19 
tion, i. e., the collection of minute drops of excreted water upon the 
fungous growth, is responsible for the misconception. 
In some instances split billets upon being unloaded from the cars 
are thrown in a pile beside the track, sometimes upon damp soil, there 
to remain for perhaps a month or until opportunity can be found for 
removal to storage sheds. Losses due to fungi are a natural conse¬ 
quence of such treatment. 
It has taken time for those unaccustomed to the handling of green 
stock to work out satisfactory methods which would provide proper 
ventilation of dimension, sawed, or turned stock during transit. 
Meantime, many shipments have been seriously damaged. Of the 
different forms of stock, the sawed billet, the rim strip, and plank 
have given the most trouble. Losses are not confined to such stock, 
however, for turned spokes and hubs, unless properly safeguarded 
during transit, are liable to stain and mold. 
Sawed billets often arrive at the factorv in a badly stained con- 
dition. It is probable that material containing fungous infections 
sometimes finds its way into their manufacture. The squared surfaces 
lend themselves to close piling and thus to the formation of masses 
wherein sufficient ventilation is impossible. Rim strips also frequently 
become badly stained while in transit, as a result of the same causes, 
together with the fact that some manufacturers require such stock 
to be close piled in closed box cars and even sprayed with water to 
prevent checking. It is unfortunate that the conditions necessary 
for the prevention of checking in green stock are as a general rule 
favorable to the growth of fungi, and vice versa. 
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE. 
The presence of much sap-stain and even mold in timber is con¬ 
sidered by some lumbermen as a defect. Therefore, degrading of 
material thus affected, with consequent loss in monetary value, may 
result. Such unfavorable discrimination is due to the notion that 
stained or moldy material is not as sound as clear stock. In the case 
of molds, it is an easy matter to remove the surface blemish by the 
simple process of sanding or planing. With sap-stain, however, the 
removal of the discoloration depends entirely upon the depth to which 
the mycelium has penetrated. In some cases the stain may extend 
to the heartwood. It is evident that it can not under such circum¬ 
stances be removed by the processes referred to. 
The presence of much stain will prevent the use of timber for pur¬ 
poses where color, texture, and clearness of grain are of prime 
importance. Basket and box veneer, interior finish, flooring, and 
furniture stock which are to have no protecting coat of paint must 
be free from stain. Discrimination, however, should not be made 
