Unseasoned Timber.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 July 1921, Page 3

Unseasoned Timber.

“SAW TO CONSUMER” METHODS

CONDEMNED.

VIEW OF AMERICAN SAW-

MILLER

The danger of using unseasoned timber, according to a visitor from America who is interested in sawmilling, is very great, and he -xpresseo ■surprise to a Dominion reporter recently at the attitude taken up on this subject in New Zealand. “In Canada and the United States, he said, “it is customary to sell from vnrd stocks, whereas in this country it seems to be the custom to sell, from the sawmill to the consumer. This is not right.” He went on to say that he had seen several buildings in W ellington alone that were being m-eotod with absolutely green timber, which hv thought would result ultimately in a “bad job.” He explained that all timber should be thoroughly seasoned In-f-ore being used for any permanent • structure as otherwise it was most liable to warp, and to he attacked l\v destroying agencies such as fungous growth and insects. He added: soning. or conditioning as it is called involves the reduction of the moisture content to about 12 per cent., which leaves the in practically a si condition. In America timber is. seasoned by both natural and artih.ru-i means. Natural seasoning involves careful storing of timber in large and well-ventilated stacks; and the penol of drying varying with the kind “ f timber, and the climate of the locality Periods varv occasionaly from three to fifteen months. . . . Some timbe-s are very hard to season by this method and where careful regulation is net ><- sarv, artificial kiln drying is resorted to. To season timber by heat, qui'klv drving should proceed gradually foun the centre of the slab, outwards, to prevent the timber splitting. This .s effected by first heating the timber in a large room with steam and gradual reducing the humidity of the heated air. Kiln-drying may bo completed in from one to fourteen days. A grer.' deal of the timber used for aeroplane work during the war was prepared in this manner.”

A.s evidence of the lach of seasonint the visitor drew attention to the almost entire absence of mill yard stocks. G'shS timber practice the whole world over, ho said, demanded that a mill y»id stock should he turned oyer only fjbpMj; E 5 times n year.

thus giving an average period ml bight months. What f '" stacks wove seen were of very poo. construction. Many were laid direct cn the ground thus encouraging lungus growth- -and allowed little circulate, of air which was an essential. He concluded hy saying: “It seems that during the present period of financial stress, when little building is goin,/ on, an effort should be made hy the sawmilling industry to build up good yard stocks, so that when the building boom eventuates, as it most certainly 1 will, consumers may be supplied with thoroughly seasoned material. The shortage of houses throughout the nominion augurs well for the building industries, and I feel confident that with ' a return to normal labour conditions, a big boom awaits the an windier. Tie < should therefore prepare for this deI mand, and be in a position to supply I well-seasoned timber immediately it is j needed.”