discontinued cutting it during the summer
season.

If this matter were given proper attention they should be able to
eliminate a great deal of this difficulty, as no doubt they will find
after investigation that the mould has been caused by the stock being
improperly piled to the weather.

Freshly sawn wood, placed in close piles during warm, damp weather in
the months of July and August, presents especially favorable
conditions for mould and stain. In all cases it is the moist condition
and retarded drying of the wood which causes this. Therefore, any
method which will provide for the rapid drying of the wood before or
after piling will tend to prevent the difficulty, and the best method
for eliminating mould is (1) to provide for as little delay as
possible between the felling of the tree, and its manufacture into
rough products before the sap has had an opportunity of becoming sour.
This is especially necessary with trees felled from April to
September, in the region north of the Gulf States, and from March to
November in the latter, while the late fall and winter cutting should
all be worked up by March or April. (2) The material should be piled
to the weather immediately after being sawn or cut, and every
precaution should be taken in piling to facilitate rapid drying, by
keeping the piles or ricks up off the ground. (3) All weeds (and
emphasis should be placed on the ALL) and other vegetation should be
kept well clear of the piles, in order that the air may have a clear
and unobstructed passage through and around the piles, and (4) the
piles should be so constructed that each stick or piece will have as
much air space about it as it is possible to give to it.

If the above instructions are properly carried out, there will be
little or no difficulty experienced with mould appearing on the
lumber.

SECTION IX

DIFFICULTIES OF DRYING WOOD

Seasoning and kiln-drying is so important a process in the manufacture
of woods that a need is keenly felt for fuller information regarding
it, based upon scientific study of the behavior of various species at
different mechanical temperatures and under different mechanical
drying processes. The special precautions necessary to prevent loss of
strength or distortion of shape render the drying of wood especially
difficult.

All wood when undergoing a seasoning process, either natural (by air)
or mechanical (by st