mmmrn. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
 
 
 Shelf .-S.l 
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 
 
 / 
 
HANDB00K 
 
 -( FOR )- 
 
 tiarclwoocl Qumb 
 
 enmen 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 [^ULES P0R Inspection., 
 
 1888 : 
 
 BROOKS &. COMPANY, 
 
 Cleveland, O. 
 
9 
 
 "i^ 
 
 ^y 
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1888, by 
 J. L. STANLEY, in the office of the Librarian of Con- 
 gress, at Washington. 
 
 f-^ 
 
SELECTING TIMBER. 
 
 In selecting timber for special purposes the 
 soil in which it has grown, thrift and age of the 
 trees and exposure to the sun, should be taken 
 into consideration. If the qualities desired are 
 strength and elasticity, young and thrifty trees, 
 which have grown on lowlands or south hill- 
 sides, exposed to the sun, should be selected. 
 For durability, trees which have grown in the 
 forest, on the uplands or north hill-sides and in 
 dark, gravelly or sandy soil, will give the best re- 
 sults. The lower part of a tree is the strongest, 
 most elastic and durable, and the wood near the 
 heart is the best for nearly all purposes. 
 
 Timber, selected for durability, should not be 
 felled while the sap is flowing. The nearer 
 maturity, the more durable the wood. Timber, 
 which has passed maturity and is on the decline, 
 is of inferior quality, and, in some kinds, the 
 wood near the bark will be brash, with occa- 
 sional doted spots or streaks. White Ash tim- 
 ber, which is on the decline, frequently shows 
 doted spots soon after maturity, and, if a branch 
 or the bark has been torn off, a streak will some- 
 
times extend (juite a distance along tlie body of 
 the tree. 
 
 The condition of timber may be ascertained by 
 tlie color and the amount of the foliage, by the 
 bark, and by the general appearance of the trees. 
 
 FELLING TIMBER. 
 
 The time of year for felling timber has hereto- 
 fore been considered as of little consequence, but 
 the constantly increasing demand for lumber 
 from fall or winter-felled timber must eventually 
 be recognized as an important matter. 
 
 The wood from timber felled when the sap is 
 flowing will soon become discolored, if piled 
 without crossings or where the air cannot circu- 
 late freely and the gases escape easily. It is 
 more liable to be eaten by worms, will warp more 
 and decay sooner, than wood from timber felled 
 in the fall or early winter. 
 
 August and September are, perhaps, the best 
 months, but for all ordinary purposes timber may 
 be felled from the first of August to the middle 
 of February — or until the sap commences to 
 flow. 
 
 Large and valuable timber should be felled 
 with the saw, and should be cut near the 
 ground, as the lower part of a tree is the best. 
 A saving of one foot in length of a tree thirty-six 
 inches in diameter, is a saving of from fifty to 
 sixty feet of lumber, board measurement. Saws 
 used fo;- felling, should have one handle bolted 
 —4— 
 
on so that it can be easily taken off and the saw 
 drawn out endways, if desired. One or two iron 
 wedges shoukl be driven in after the saw to })re- 
 vent its becoming fast. 
 
 Leaning trees shoukl be cut so that they will fall 
 at right angles to the direction in which they in- 
 cline. This can be easily accomplished by first 
 cutting about one fourth through the tree on the 
 side on which it is desired to fell it, and then 
 sawing in on the opposite side and forcing it over 
 with wedges. 
 
 Trees, felled with the axe, should be cut 
 deeper at the center than near the bark, to pre- 
 vent tearing and splitting the wood when falling. 
 
 MANUFACTURING LUMBER. 
 
 This is a matter of so much importance to the 
 producer that a person cannot successfully manu- 
 facture lumber for the market without a fair 
 knowledge of the business. Men of experience 
 are aware that it is the firsts and seconds which 
 make the profit, and that the commons and culls 
 do not sell for much, if anything, more than the 
 expense of manufacturing and marketing, added 
 to the cost of the timber. This being the case, 
 care should be taken in the selection of tim- 
 ber, and good judgment exercised in cutting and 
 sawing the logs and preparing the lumber for 
 market. 
 
 When the slab is taken off and a face of six or 
 eight inches is obtained, one inch boards should 
 -5- 
 
be sawed (except in lumber less than two inches 
 in thickness or from large logs) until the log will 
 6(|uare, then the square should be sawed into the 
 desired dimensions, making the lumber as wide 
 as a ta.c^ of the square. The heart pieces should 
 be taken to the edger or log carriage and the 
 heart cut out of all merchantable lumber. Where 
 the heart is large, or defective from rot or shakes, 
 it is sometimes advisable to saw around it, lear- 
 ing a square in the center. Siding boards, and 
 all other lumber, should be edged, as lumber 
 which has not straight or passably even edges is 
 excluded from the upper grades. 
 
 After the lumber has been sawed it should be 
 carefully looked over and pieces with defects, 
 which will furnish a first or second piece from 
 one side, should be taken to the edger and the 
 good piece ripped off, and pieces witli defects 
 near the end should be cut off if ten feet will re- 
 main. 
 
 Lumber should always be sawed one sixteenth 
 of an inch thicker, for each inch in thickness, 
 than the size required when seasoned, as a short- 
 age in thickness will reduce the piece to culls or 
 to the next standard thickness below. Lumber 
 not full in length is reduced to the next standard 
 length below. 
 
 QUARTER- SAWING LUMBER. 
 
 Logs for quarter-sawing should be of the best 
 quality and not less than 28 inches in diameter. 
 
Manufacturers should remember that this kind of 
 lumber is usually finished in the natural color of 
 the wood, and that worm-holes and discolored 
 spots are very objectionable defects. 
 
 Care should be taken to saw the lumber as 
 nearly straight across the grain of the wood as 
 possible. Many plans for quarter-sawing have 
 been tried, but those given below are the ones 
 generally used, and the cutting of each quarter 
 separately is considered the best. 
 
 Fig. 2. 
 
Fig. 3. 
 
 Fig. 4. 
 
Fijr. n. 
 
 Fife'. 6. 
 
 Figure I represents a log divided into quarters, 
 and shows how the (juarters should be sawed. 
 
 Figure 2 represents a ((uarter in position for 
 sawing. 
 
 Figure 3 represents one half of a log in posi- 
 tion for sawing from e to d; Fig. 4 in position 
 for sawing from d to c; Fig. 5 in position for saw- 
 ing from c to b, and Fig. 6 in position for sawing 
 from b to a. 
 
SEASONING LUMBER. 
 
 Green lumber contains from 25 to 45 per cent, 
 of liquid matter. After one year's seasoning, one 
 inch lumber will contain from 8 to 11 per cent. 
 
 The slow process of drying lumber under sheds 
 is the best, because more of the strength and last- 
 ing qualities of the wood are retained, but, for 
 many purposes, the quick process of kiln-drying 
 by steam and hot air gives satisfaction, provided 
 the lumber has been on sticks long enough to 
 prevent warping and checking. 
 
 When lumber is sawed it sliould immediately 
 be placed on narrow sticks of even thickness, one 
 stick being directly over another, with the ends 
 projecting a trifle beyond the lumber. A space of 
 one inch between the layers is recommended, ex- 
 cept in Oak, Hickory and Asli, which give better 
 results when there is only a small space. Boards 
 should never be used for crossings in piling green 
 lumber, as the wood will stain and decay between 
 the crossings, and the lumber will become uneven 
 in width and thickness. It should be piled with 
 slope enough to carry off the rain, where the air 
 can circulate freely and it will be protected from 
 the sun aud warm currents of air during the sum- 
 mer months, as the wood will clieck if the liquid 
 near the surface evaporates too rapidly. 
 
 After the lumber is thoroughly seasoned, it 
 should be taken off the sticks and re-piled or care- 
 fully placed under cover, where rain or moisture 
 
from the ground cannot affect it. The alternate 
 changing from a moist to a dry atmosphere, and 
 vice versa, hastens the decay of wood. In a per- 
 fectly dry atmosphere, or in fresh water, the 
 durability of wood is almost unlimited. 
 
 LOADING LUMBER FOR SHIPMENT. 
 
 Lumber for shipment by rail should be loaded 
 in box cars, as the sun and rain will damage 
 exposed lumber, while the dust and fragments of 
 charred fuel will cause it to present an unfair 
 appearance. When two or more grades are sold 
 at different prices, and delivered on the same car, 
 each grade should be kept separate. If more than 
 one length is shipped, each length should also be 
 kept separate. Lumber should always be loaded 
 with the ends even at the middle of the car. 
 
 Care should be taken to load so that the lumber 
 will present a fair, average appearance, as con- 
 clusions are frequently formed from first sight. 
 
 ADVANTAGES OF SELLING IN 
 GRADES. 
 
 Inexperienced lumbermen are usually prejud- 
 iced against the grading system. Experience, 
 however, not only teaches the justice of it, but 
 demonstrates that it is beneficial, and the only 
 l)usiness-like way of conducting the lumber trade. 
 
 In the first place, the timber is more carefully 
 selected. The logs are made desirable lengthsand 
 the lumber is better manufactured. This means 
 -11- 
 
more protit to the manufacturer. When log-run 
 is sold in one grade, at one price, there is not the 
 care that should be taken in sawing and preparing 
 the lumber for market. If firsts and culls bring 
 the same price, persons will not spend the time 
 necessary to manufacture and care for lumber as 
 it should be done. This is certainly a mistake, 
 because, according to tiie quality and the w^ay the 
 lumber is manufactured and seasoned, the price 
 should be, and usually is, fixed, Avhether in one or 
 four grades. 
 
 Another advantage in grading is, that the lum- 
 ber is measured full. This obviates the objection- 
 able feature from which so many differences arise 
 — that of deducting for defects. 
 
 Finally, in selling by this system, the lumber is 
 graded and measured according to rules, with 
 which all lumbermen may, and should, be familiar. 
 A knowledge of the rules will greatly aid in man- 
 ufacturing, and will place the manufacturer in a 
 position to know whether or not lumber is inspected 
 correctly. 
 
 LOG-RUN LUMBER MEASURED 
 MERCHANTABLE. 
 
 The practice of measuring lumber merchantable, 
 or measuring only what will work clear, is one 
 which should not be recognized by the manufac- 
 turer, dealer or any person engaged in the lumber 
 business, for the reason that, since no rules can be 
 given for governing the measurement, there can 
 —12- 
 
be no intelligent understanding between the seller 
 and the buyer. 
 
 The manufacturer knows, or should know, the 
 (quality and condition of his lumber. This be- 
 ing true, it is reasonable to suppose that lumber 
 running well into firsts and seconds, will be sold 
 in grades, and that lumber from inferior locfs, 
 poorly manufactured, or not in fair condition, will 
 be offered as log-run measured merchantable. It 
 will be readily seen that, thus far, the selling party 
 has a leading advantage, since the buyer, even if 
 he has seen the timber or piles of lumber, can 
 form an opinion only from the general appearance. 
 
 On the other hand, the purchasing party is per- 
 mitted to be the judge of what portion of a piece 
 will work clear, and, as no definite rules can be 
 given, the inspector decides how much should be 
 deducted for defects. For some purposes a piece 
 might work clear three fourths of its full size, 
 while, for another purpose, it might not work one 
 half clear. This is one cause of the differences in 
 measurement so frequently found. Another reason 
 is that persons often buy what they are led to 
 believe is much better stock than that delivered to 
 them, and, as a last resort, to protect themselves 
 from loss, they subject the lumber to a rigid 
 inspection. 
 
 If any person insists on selling or buying log-run 
 lumber in one grade, there should be a guaranty of 
 a certain per cent, of the upper grades, and the 
 measurement should be full. 
 
 -13- 
 
LOGS FOR SHIPMENT. 
 
 Large select timber of the higher priced woods 
 can frequently be marketed at a better advantage 
 in logs than in lumber. There is a demand for 
 choice logs of Walnut, C/herry, Oak, etc., for 
 shipment to our home and foreign markets. 
 
 Logs for this purpose must be large and of the 
 best quality, free from rot, splits and knots, and 
 twelve, fourteen or sixteen feet long. The di- 
 ameter should not be less than twenty-four inches 
 in Walnut, twenty inches in Cherry, and twenty- 
 eight inches in Oak and Po})lar. 
 
 As soon as the logs are cut the ends should be 
 well covered with paint, containing one and one 
 half pounds of salt to the gallon, to prevent 
 checking, and the bark should be taken ojffi and 
 the log hewed to the deptli of the sap on four or 
 eight sides. 
 
 Logs for shipment are generally sold at the 
 actual measurement — no allowance being made 
 for saw curfs, as in tables reducing logs to board 
 measure. 
 
 Red Cedar, White Oak, Walnut and Chestnut, 
 are durable woods in dry places, in fresh water, 
 or when buried in the ground. 
 
 The strength of many kinds of lumber, such as 
 White Ash, White Oak and Hickory, is increased 
 by seasoning, but the elasticity is decreased. 
 -14- 
 
Lumber from timber whicb has been immersed 
 in water will season much sooner and warp less, 
 when placed on sticks, than lumber which has 
 not been water seasoned. 
 
 The shrinkage in seasoning Poplar, PJasswood, 
 Chestnut, Cottonwood and similar woods, is from 
 one eighteentli to one twenty-fourth, and in Oak 
 Maple, Walnut and Cherry, from one twenty- 
 second to one twenty-eighth. 
 
 The breaking strain of different kinds of wood, 
 2 inches square and 12 inches long, is as follows, 
 viz: 
 
 Ironwood 15,000 lbs. 
 
 Hickory 7.700 " 
 
 White Oak 6,800 " 
 
 Hard Maple 5,400 " 
 
 White Ash 5,300 " 
 
 Cedar 8,200 " 
 
 Poplar, yellow 2,700 " 
 
 White Pine 2,800 " 
 
 -15- 
 
RULBS 
 
 GOVERNING THE 
 
 Inspection of Hardwood Lumber. 
 
 WALNUT, CHERRY AND 
 BUTTERNUT. 
 
 Standard lengths are 12, 14 and 10 feet. 
 Twenty per cent, of 10 feet, or 12 per cent, of 8 
 feet, will be admitted. 
 
 Standard thicknesses are 1, 1], Ih, 2, 2J, 3 and 
 4 inches. 
 
 Special thicknesses are h, f, f, f, o and 
 inches. 
 
 Firsts must be at least 8 inches wide and free 
 from defects, with the following exceptions, viz: — 
 
 Ten inches, or over, wide will admit of I the 
 width of the piece of bright sap showing only on 
 one side, or a straight split in one end of a board 
 or plank equal in length to the width of the 
 piece. 
 
 Sixteen inches, or over, wide will admit of 
 one standard knot showing only on one side. 
 -K)- 
 
Seconds must he at least G inches wide and 
 tree from defects up to 8 inches in widtn. Eight 
 inches, or over, wide will admit of a straight 
 split in one end, not exceeding in length twice the 
 width of the piece, or \ the width of the piece of 
 hrjght sap showing only on one side, or defects 
 e(jual to standard knots, as follows : 8, 9, 10 and 
 11 inches wide, one defect; 12, 13, 14 and 15 
 inches wide, two defects; 16 inches and over, 
 three defects. 
 
 Commons must be at least 4 inches wide and 
 free from defects up to (5 inches in width. Six 
 and 7 inches wide will admit of 2 inches of 
 bright sap showing only on one side, or a straigiit 
 split in one end, not exceeding \ the length of 
 the piece, or one defect equal to a standard knot. 
 Eight inches, or over, wide will admit of twice 
 as many defects, equal to standard knots, as are 
 admitted in seconds, or a straight split in one 
 end, not exceeding }, the length of the piece, or h 
 the width of the piece of bright sap showing only 
 on one side. Knots of sound character up to 
 4 inches in diameter will be admitted in this 
 grade, but each inch of the diameter of the knot 
 shall be considered equal to a standard knot. 
 
 Culls must be at least 3 inches wide. One 
 side of eacli piece must be heart wood, but sap is 
 not limited on the other side. This grade in- 
 cludes lumber of any standard or special thick- 
 ness and of any even length, 6 to 1(3 feet inclus- 
 ive. It includes all lumber less than 1 inch 
 -17- 
 
thick, unless marketed as a special tliickness, and 
 lumber varying in thickness more than ] of an 
 inch. It also includes lumber containing shakes, 
 hearts, stain or unsound knots, and all lumber be- 
 low commons which will work J clear. 
 
 QUARTER-SAWED OAK AND 
 SYCAMORE. 
 
 Standards lengths are 12, 14 and l()feet; 12^ 
 per cent, of 10 feet will be admitted. 
 
 Standard thicknesses are 1, 1], H, 2, '2h, 3 and 
 4 inches. 
 
 Firsts must be at least (3 inches wide and free 
 from defects, with the following exceptions, viz : 
 
 A straight split in one end of a board or plank, 
 not exceeding in length the width of the piece, or 
 a defect equal to a standard knot, showing only on 
 one side, in lumber 12 inches, or over, wide. 
 
 Seconds must be at least 5 inches wide. Five 
 inches wide must be clear. Six and 7 inches wide 
 will admit of one small defect ; 8, 9 and 10 inches 
 wide will admit of one defect equal to a standard 
 knot ; 11, 12 and 18 inches wide Avill admit of two 
 defects equal to standard knots; 14 inches, or 
 over, wide will admit of three defects equal to 
 standard knots. A straight split in one end of a 
 board or plank, equal in length to twice the width 
 of the piece, will be admitted in this grade if free 
 from other defects. 
 
 Commons must be at least 4 inches wide. Four 
 inches wide must be clear ; G and 7 inches wide 
 -18- 
 
will admit of one defect equal to a standard knot ; 
 8 inches wide, and over, will admit of twice as 
 many defects, equal to standard knots, as are 
 admitted in seconds, or one or more larger knots 
 according to the width of the piece, or a straight 
 split in one end of a board or plank not exceeding 
 one half the length of the piece. 
 
 Culls must be at least 3 inches wide. 3 inches 
 wide must be clear ; 4 inches wide may contain 
 one defect equal to a standard knot ; 5 inches wide, 
 or over, includes lumber below commons, which 
 will work at least one half clear. 
 
 POPLAR (or WHITEWOOD.) 
 
 Standard lengths are 12, 14 and 16 feet ; 12J 
 per cent, of 10 feet will be admitted. 
 
 Standard thicknesses are 1,1^,U,2, 2^,3 and 
 4 inches. 
 
 Special thicknesses include ^, f, f, 5 and 6 
 inches. 
 
 Firsts must be at least 10 inches wide and free 
 from defects, with the following exceptions, viz : 
 
 Lumber 12 inches, or over, wide will admit of 
 a straight split in one end not exceeding in length 
 tlie width of the piece, or I the width of the piece 
 of bright sap showing only on one side ; 16 inches, 
 or over, wide will admit of one defect equal to a 
 standard knot showing only on one side. 
 
 Seconds must be at least 8 inches wide. 8 and 9 
 inches wide must be free from defects ; 10, 11 and 
 12 inches wide may contain one defect equal to a 
 -19- 
 
standard knot; 13, 14 and 15 inches wide may 
 contain two defects equal to standard knots, and 
 10 inches, or over, wide may contain three such 
 defects. A split in one end, not exceeding in 
 length twice the width of the piece, or one fourth 
 the width of the piece of bright sap showing only 
 on one side, will be admitted in this grade, if free 
 from other defects. 
 
 Commons must be at least 6 inches wide. 6 and 
 7 inches wide must be free from defects ; 8 and 9 
 inches wide may contain one defect equal to a 
 standard knot, and 10 inches, or over, wide will 
 admit of twice the number of defects equal to 
 standard knots that are admitted in seconds. 
 
 A straight split in one end one half the length 
 of the piece will be admitted. Bright sap is not 
 limited in this grade. 
 
 Culls same as Walnut, except that sap is not 
 limited. 
 
 OAK, ASH, MAPLE, HICKORY 
 AND CHESTNUT. 
 
 Standard thicknesses are 1, Ij, Ij, 2, 2^, 3 and 
 4 inches. 
 
 Special thicknesses include f, f, |, 5 and (> 
 inches. 
 
 Standard lengths are 12, 14 and 16 feet; 12^ 
 per cent, of 10 feet will be admitted. 
 
 Firsts must not be less than 8 inches wide and 
 free from defects, with the following exceptions, 
 viz: A straight split in one end of a board or 
 —20— 
 
plank, equal in length to the width of the piece, 
 will be admitted, or lumber 15 inches, or over, 
 wide may contain one defect equal to a standard 
 knot showing only on one side. 
 
 Seconds, 1 and l^^ inches thick, must be at least 
 6 inches wide and free from defects up to 8 inches 
 in width ; IJ inches thick, or over, must be at least 
 8 inches wide. 
 
 Hearts, shakes and rot are excluded from this 
 grade. Lumber 8, 9, 10 or 11 inches w'ide may 
 contain one defect equal to a standard knot ; 12, 
 13, 14 or 15 inches wide may contain two defects 
 equal to standard knots; 16 inches Avide, or over, 
 may contain three defects equal to standard knots. 
 If free from other defects, a piece may contain 
 a straight split in one end not exceeding in length 
 twice the width of the piece. 
 
 Commons must be at least 4 inches wide and 
 free from hearts and rot. 4 and 5 inches wide 
 must be clear; 6 and 7 inches wide may contain 
 one defect equal to a standard knot ; 8 inches wide, 
 or over, may contain twice the defects admitted 
 in seconds, or may contain knots up to 4 inches in 
 diameter, but each inch of the diameter of the 
 knot must be counted as equal to a standard knot 
 defect. Lumber 8 inches wide or over may con- 
 tain a straight split in one end one half the length 
 of the piece, or straight s])lits in each end, to- 
 gether not exceeding one third the length of the 
 piece. 
 
Culls must be at least 3 inches wide and of 
 any even length, 6 to 16 feet inchisive. Three 
 inches wide must be clear, but 4 and 5 inches 
 wide may contain one defect equal to a standard 
 knot. Six inches wide, or over, includes al! 
 lumber below commons which will work one half 
 clear. This grade includes lumber of any stand- 
 ard or special thickness. It also includes lumber 
 less than 1 inch thick, unless marketed as special 
 stock, and lumber varying in thickness more than 
 ^ of an inch. 
 
 BASSWOOD, COTTONWOOD, SYCA- 
 MORE, ELM, BIRCH, BEECH 
 AND GUM. 
 
 Standard lengths are 12, 14 and If) feet. V2h 
 per cent, of 10 feet is admitted. 
 
 Standard thicknesses are 1, I4, 1^, 2, 2j, 3 and 
 4 inches. 
 
 Firsts must be at least 8 inches wide. 
 
 Seconds must be at least 6 inches wide. 
 
 Commons must be at least 4 inches wide. 
 
 Culls must be at least 3 inches wide. 
 
 Inspection, otherwise, same as Oak. 
 
 o 
 
 . Flooring lumber must have one side and both 
 edges clear, and be at least 3 inches wide and 12, 
 14 or 16 feet long. 
 
 Siding lumber must be 6 inches wide or a mul- 
 tiple thereof, and 12, 14 or 16 feet long. Firsts 
 must be free from defects; seconds may contain 2 
 —22- 
 
inches of bright sap, showing only on one side, or 
 one defect equal to a standard knot. 
 
 Counter tops must be at least 2U inches wide, 
 1, 1 1, 1^ or 2 inches thick and 12, 14 or 16 feet 
 long, and must be practically free from defects. 
 
 Balusters must be Hxl|, 2x2, 2|x2j, 3x3 or 
 4x4, 28 or 32 inches long, and practically free 
 from defects. 
 
 Newels must be ox5, <jx(3, 7x7, 8x8, 10x10 or 
 12x12, 4 feet long or a multiple thereof, and 
 practically free from defects. 
 
 CoLu:\rNs must be 5x5, OxO, 7x7, 8x8 or 10x10, 
 10. 12, 14 or l(j feet long, and practically free 
 from defects. 
 
 Lumber for special purposes, such as wagon 
 poles, axles, harrow stock, &c., must be practi- 
 cally clear. In such stock no grade is made 
 between firsts and culls. 
 
 A combined grade of firsts and seconds must 
 contain at least 50 per cent, of firsts, and a com- 
 bined grade of commons and culls must contain 
 at least 40 per cent, of commons. , 
 
 Lumber below or over the standard lengths, or 
 not of standard thicknesses, must be marketed as 
 special stock. 
 
 Lumber one inch or less in thickness shall be 
 counted at face measurement. 
 
 In the measurement of boards or planks, frac- 
 tions of less than | of an inch in the width will not 
 be counted except in dimension lumber, f of a foot 
 or over will be counted as one foot, unless the lum- 
 —23- 
 
ber runs largely into such fractions, in which case 
 the fraction will be counted on alternate pieces. 
 
 All edged lumber shall be measured full, and 
 lumber not edged shall be measured inside of the 
 bark or wane. 
 
 Seasoned lumber must be full in thickness, and 
 green lumber must be j'g of an inch thicker for 
 each inch in thickness than the size re(|uired 
 when dry. 
 
 All boards and planks should have straiglit 
 ends and edges. Lumber not passably edged 
 shall be reduced one grade. 
 
 A standard knot must be of sound character 
 and not exceed 1] inches in diameter. 
 
 Tapering kimber shall be measured I of the 
 distance from the narrow end. 
 
 The grade of all boards and planks shall be 
 determined from the poorer side. 
 
 Lumber stained or season checked so that an 
 even surface of the natural color of the wood can 
 not be obtained by surfacing, must not be classed 
 above culls. 
 
 Lumber which will not work one half clear is 
 mill culls and has no market value. 
 
 The face measurement of each piece should be 
 tallied separately, and the footings of lumber over 
 1 inch should be multiplied by the thickness. 
 
 GENERAL REMARKS. 
 
 A person with little experience in the lumber 
 business, nuiy acciuire a fair knowledge of grnd- 
 
 —24- 
 
iug and measurement by studying the rules for 
 inspection, but, without considerable experience, 
 he cannot become a competent inspector. Neither 
 is a person, who has learned the grading of only 
 one kind of lumber, qualified to inspect all the 
 varieties classed as hardwoods. 
 
 Rules for inspection may be specific on meas- 
 urement and may clearly outline the grades, but 
 they cannot give the details and location of the 
 innumerable defects. It must be left to the in- 
 spector to decide what defects are equal to a stand- 
 ard knot, and to determine the damage caused by 
 stain, checks, etc. 
 
 The grades of firsts, seconds, commons and 
 culls apply to boards and planks of all kinds of 
 hardwood. Firsts should be practically free from 
 defects. Seconds should work about | clear, com- 
 mons about f clear, and culls at least j clear. If 
 a second 8 or 9 inches wide will admit of one 
 standard knot, a second 10 or 11 inches wide 
 should admit of a small additional defect, but in 
 no case should the additional defect equal a stand- 
 ard knot. This rule should be applied to all widths 
 and to all grades. 
 
 The waste caused by knots from 1 to 4 inches 
 in diameter is estimated as one square foot of the 
 thickness of the piece for each inch of the di- 
 ameter of the knot. Small knots, worm-holes, 
 gum and other dark, discolored spots, must be 
 treated as defects. Many kinds of hardwood are 
 finished in the natural color of the wood and 
 —25— 
 
such defects must necessarily cause a waste, and, 
 as inspectors are not supposed to know for what 
 purpose lumber is intended, the only safe rule is 
 to treat them as damaging defects in whatever 
 kind of lumber they may be found. 
 
 A board or plank with a straight check in each 
 end may be admitted in the second grade if the 
 combined length of the checks does not exceed 
 the width of the piece, or may be admitted in the 
 common grade if their combined length does not 
 exceed one third the length of the piece. 
 
 The grades are determined by the damage caused 
 by defects, but no deductions are made from the 
 full measurement inside of the bark or wane. 
 Deductions from the width or length of a piece, 
 for the purpose of raising the grade, are not al- 
 lowed, unless the inspector is so instructed by the 
 selling and purchasing parties. In short, no vari- 
 ation from the rules should be made unless agreed 
 upon by the contracting parties. 
 
 WEIGHTS OF LUMBER. 
 
 The following weights have nearly all been ob- 
 tained from the average weights of car-load lots, 
 and may be relied upon as being nearly correct. 
 The figures are the pounds per 1,000 feet, board 
 measure: 
 
 GREEN. DRY. 
 
 Walnut 5,600 3,800 
 
 Cherry 5,200 3,700 
 
 AVhite Oak 5,700 3,800 
 
 Hard Maple 5,200 3,900 
 
 AVhiteAsh 5,200 3,503 
 
 Chestnut 5,400 3,000 
 
 Sycamore 5,200 3,800 
 
GREEN. DRY. 
 
 Hickory 5,600 4,200 
 
 Beech 5,100 3,900 
 
 Elm 5,100 3,600 
 
 Butternut 4,200 2,300 
 
 Yellow Poplar 4,000 2,400 
 
 Basswood 3,900 2,200 
 
 Cottonwood 4,000 2,300 
 
 COLUMNS. 
 
 Table giving the feet, board measure. 
 
 SIZE. 
 
 10 feet. 
 
 12 feet. 
 
 14 feet. 
 
 16 feet. 
 
 4 4 
 
 5X5... 
 
 13% 
 
 20^ 
 
 .30 
 
 40% 
 
 53% 
 
 83% 
 
 IG 
 25 
 3(5 
 49 
 64 
 100 
 
 18% 
 29 
 42 
 57 
 74% 
 116% 
 
 21% 
 33% 
 48 
 
 65% 
 85% 
 13;^!% 
 
 6X6 
 
 7X7 
 
 8X8 
 
 10 10 
 
 BALUSTERS. 
 
 Table giving the inches, board measure. 
 
 SIZE. 
 
 I%xi3 
 
 2 X2 
 2%X23 
 
 3 X3 
 
 4 4 
 
 LENGTH. 
 
 28 in. 
 
 32 in. 
 
 5K 
 
 () 
 
 9% 
 
 10% 
 
 14% 
 
 16% 
 
 21 
 
 24 
 
 37% 
 
 42% 
 
 -27- 
 
NEWELS. 
 
 Table giving the feet, hoard measure. 
 
 5 5 
 
 4 feet long. 
 4 feet long, 
 4 feet long. 
 4 feet long. 
 4 feet long. 
 4 feet long. 
 
 Si:, 
 
 12 
 
 \&% 
 
 21'/;, 
 
 48 
 
 6X6 
 
 7X7 
 
 8X8 
 
 10X10 
 
 12X12 
 
 LOGS REDUCED TO BOARD 
 MEASUREMENT. 
 
 The following table gives the number of feet of 
 1-inch boards produced from logs from 8 to .HO 
 feet in length and from 12 to M inches in diame- 
 ter. It is obtained by the following rule : 
 
 Subtract 4 from the diameter of the log; multi- 
 ply the remainder by one half of itself ; multiply 
 the product by the length of the log and divide 
 the result by 8. 
 
 Example: — 
 
 Log S6 inches in diameter, 12 feet long; 
 
 Diameter of log —4= 32 
 
 Multiplied by one-half of itself — 512 
 
 Multiplied by the length =(i,144 
 
 Divided by 8 = TUS 
 
 -2.S- 
 
h^G 
 
 D. 
 
 D. 
 
 1). 
 
 D. 
 
 D. 
 
 D. 
 
 D. 
 
 D. 
 
 D. 
 
 1>. 
 
 D. 
 
 D. 
 
 D. 
 
 yr. 
 
 12 
 
 13 
 
 14 
 
 15 
 
 16 
 
 17 
 
 18 
 
 19 
 
 20 
 
 21 
 
 22 
 
 23 
 
 24 
 
 8 
 
 32 
 
 41 
 
 50 
 
 61 
 
 72 
 
 85 
 
 98 
 
 113 
 
 128 
 
 145 
 
 16- 
 
 > 181 
 
 200 
 
 9 
 
 36 
 
 46 
 
 56 
 
 68 
 
 81 
 
 95 
 
 110 
 
 127 
 
 144 
 
 163 
 
 182 203 
 
 225 
 
 10 
 
 40 
 
 51 
 
 63 
 
 76 
 
 90 
 
 106 
 
 123 
 
 140 
 
 1(50 
 
 181 
 
 203 226 
 
 250 
 
 11 
 
 44 
 
 5(i 
 
 69 
 
 83 
 
 99 
 
 116 
 
 135 
 
 155 
 
 176 
 
 199 
 
 223 248 
 
 275 
 
 12 
 
 48 
 
 61 
 
 75 
 
 91 
 
 108 
 
 127 
 
 147 
 
 169 
 
 192 
 
 217 
 
 243 271 
 
 300 
 
 13 
 
 52 
 
 66 
 
 81 
 
 98 
 
 117 
 
 137 
 
 159 
 
 183 
 
 208 
 
 235 
 
 263 293 
 
 325 
 
 14 
 
 56 
 
 71 
 
 88 
 
 106 
 
 126 
 
 US 
 
 172 
 
 197 
 
 224 
 
 253 
 
 284 316 
 
 350 
 
 15 
 
 60 
 
 76 
 
 94 
 
 113 
 
 135 
 
 158 
 
 184 
 
 211 
 
 240 
 
 271 
 
 304 338 
 
 375 
 
 16 
 
 64 
 
 81 
 
 100 
 
 121 
 
 144 
 
 169 
 
 196 
 
 225 
 
 256 
 
 289 
 
 324 361 
 
 400 
 
 17 
 
 68 
 
 86 
 
 106 
 
 129 
 
 153 
 
 ISO 
 
 208: 
 
 239 
 
 272 
 
 307 
 
 344 384 
 
 425 
 
 18 
 
 72 
 
 91 
 
 112 
 
 136 
 
 162 
 
 190 
 
 221 
 
 253 
 
 288 
 
 325 
 
 3(55 406 
 
 450 
 
 19 
 
 76 
 
 9(5 
 
 119 
 
 144 
 
 171 
 
 201 
 
 233, 
 
 267 
 
 304 
 
 343 
 
 385 429 
 
 475 
 
 20 
 
 80 
 
 101 
 
 125 
 
 151 
 
 180 
 
 211 
 
 245 
 
 281 
 
 320 
 
 3(51 
 
 405 451 
 
 500 
 
 21 
 
 84 
 
 106 
 
 131 
 
 159 
 
 189 
 
 222 
 
 257 
 
 295 
 
 336 
 
 379 
 
 425 474 
 
 525 
 
 22 
 
 88 
 
 111 
 
 l;i8 
 
 166 
 
 198 
 
 232 
 
 270 
 
 309 
 
 352 
 
 397 
 
 446 496 
 
 550 
 
 23 
 
 92 
 
 116 
 
 144 
 
 174 
 
 207 
 
 243 
 
 282 
 
 323 
 
 368 
 
 415 
 
 466 519 
 
 575 
 
 24 
 
 96 
 
 122 
 
 150 
 
 1S2 
 
 216 
 
 254 
 
 294 
 
 338 
 
 384 
 
 434 
 
 486 542 
 
 (500 
 
 25 
 
 100 
 
 127 
 
 156 
 
 1S9 
 
 225 
 
 264 
 
 306 
 
 352 
 
 400 
 
 4.52 
 
 506 564 
 
 625 
 
 26 
 
 104 
 
 132 
 
 163 
 
 197 
 
 234 
 
 275 
 
 319 
 
 366 
 
 416 
 
 470 
 
 527 587 
 
 650 
 
 27 
 
 108 
 
 137 
 
 169 
 
 204 
 
 243 
 
 285 
 
 331 
 
 3S0 
 
 432 
 
 488 
 
 547 60f^ 
 
 675 
 
 28 
 
 112 
 
 142 
 
 175 
 
 212 
 
 252 
 
 296 
 
 343 
 
 394 
 
 448 
 
 506 
 
 56' 
 
 ■ 632 
 
 700 
 
 29 
 
 116 
 
 147 
 
 181 
 
 219 
 
 261 
 
 306 
 
 355 
 
 408 
 
 464 
 
 524 
 
 587 654 
 
 725 
 
 30 
 
 120 
 
 152 
 
 188 
 
 227 
 
 270 
 
 317 
 
 368 
 
 422 
 
 480 
 
 542 
 
 608 677 
 
 750 
 
 LNG 
 
 D. 
 
 D. 
 
 D. 
 
 D. 
 
 D. 
 
 D. 
 
 D. 
 
 D. 
 
 D. 
 
 B. 
 
 D. 
 
 D. 
 
 FT. 
 8 
 
 25 
 221 
 
 2() 
 242 
 
 27 
 265 
 
 28 
 
 288 
 
 29 
 313 
 
 30 
 
 31 
 3(55 
 
 32 
 
 392 
 
 33 
 421 
 
 34 
 
 35 
 481 
 
 36 
 512 
 
 450 
 
 9 
 
 248 
 
 272 
 
 298 
 
 324 
 
 352 
 
 380 
 
 410 
 
 441 
 
 473 
 
 506 
 
 541 
 
 576 
 
 10 
 
 275 
 
 302 
 
 331 
 
 360 
 
 391 
 
 423 
 
 456 
 
 49C 
 
 526 
 
 563 
 
 601 
 
 t>40 
 
 11 
 
 303 
 
 333 
 
 3t)4 
 
 396 
 
 430 
 
 465 
 
 501 
 
 539 
 
 578 
 
 619 
 
 661 
 
 704 
 
 12 
 
 330 
 
 363 
 
 397 
 
 432 
 
 469 
 
 507 
 
 547 
 
 588 
 
 631 
 
 675 
 
 721 
 
 768 
 
 13 
 
 358 
 
 393 
 
 430 
 
 468 
 
 508 
 
 549 
 
 592 
 
 637 
 
 683 
 
 731 
 
 781 
 
 832 
 
 14 
 
 386 
 
 424 
 
 463 
 
 504 
 
 547 
 
 592 
 
 638 
 
 (>S6 
 
 736 
 
 788 
 
 841 
 
 896 
 
 15 
 
 413 
 
 454 
 
 496 
 
 540 
 
 586 
 
 634 
 
 683 
 
 735 
 
 788 
 
 844 
 
 901 
 
 960 
 
 16 
 
 441 
 
 484 
 
 529 
 
 576 
 
 (>25 
 
 676 
 
 729 
 
 7S4 
 
 841 
 
 900 
 
 961 
 
 1024 
 
 17 
 
 468 
 
 514 
 
 562 
 
 612 
 
 664 
 
 718 
 
 775 
 
 S:'>3 
 
 894 
 
 956 
 
 1021 
 
 1088 
 
 18 
 
 496 
 
 545 
 
 595 
 
 648 
 
 703 
 
 761 
 
 820 
 
 882 
 
 946 
 
 1012 ] 
 
 1081 
 
 1152 
 
 19 
 
 524 
 
 575 
 
 628 
 
 684 
 
 742 
 
 803 
 
 866 
 
 931 
 
 999 
 
 1069 
 
 L141 
 
 1216 
 
 20 
 
 551 
 
 605 
 
 661 
 
 720 
 
 781 
 
 845 
 
 911 
 
 98( 
 
 1051 
 
 1125 ] 
 
 L201 
 
 1280 
 
 21 
 
 579 
 
 635 
 
 694 
 
 756 
 
 820 
 
 887 
 
 957 
 
 102i 
 
 1104 
 
 1181 ] 
 
 1261 
 
 IMi 
 
 22 
 
 606 
 
 666 
 
 727 
 
 792 
 
 859 
 
 930 
 
 1002 
 
 1078 
 
 1156 
 
 1238 
 
 321 
 
 1408 
 
 23 
 
 634 
 
 696 
 
 760 
 
 82.S 
 
 898 
 
 972 
 
 1048 
 
 1127 
 
 1209 
 
 1294 ] 
 
 L381 
 
 1472 
 
 24 
 
 662 
 
 726 
 
 794 
 
 864 
 
 938 
 
 1014 
 
 1094 
 
 1176 
 
 1262 
 
 1350 ] 
 
 L441 
 
 1536 
 
 25 
 
 689 
 
 756 
 
 827 
 
 900 
 
 977 
 
 1056 
 
 1139 
 
 1225 
 
 1314 
 
 1406 ] 
 
 501 
 
 1600 
 
 26 
 
 717 
 
 787 
 
 860 
 
 936 
 
 1016 
 
 1099 
 
 1185 
 
 1274 
 
 1367 
 
 1463 ] 
 
 562 
 
 1664 
 
 97 
 
 744 
 
 817 
 
 893 
 
 972 
 
 1055 
 
 1141 
 
 1230 
 
 1323 
 
 1419 
 
 1519 ] 
 
 L622 
 
 1728 
 
 28 
 
 772 
 
 847 
 
 926 
 
 1008 
 
 1094 
 
 1183 
 
 1276 
 
 1372 
 
 1472 
 
 1575 ] 
 
 L682 
 
 1792 
 
 29 
 
 799 
 
 877 
 
 959 
 
 1044 
 
 1133 
 
 1225 
 
 1321 
 
 1421 
 
 1524 
 
 1631 ] 
 
 1742 
 
 1856 
 
 30 
 
 827 
 
 908 
 
 992 
 
 1080 
 
 1172 
 
 1268 
 
 1367 
 
 1470 
 
 1577 
 
 1(588 1 
 
 L802 
 
 1920 
 
:* .,1^^ 
 
 I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS