, the method and results of which I will now tell.

This method was really adapted to the drying of Southern pine, and one
log of the green gum was cut into 1-inch stock and dried with the
pine. The heartwood contained many knots and some checks, although it
was in general of quite good quality. The sapwood was in fine
condition and almost as white as snow.

This material was edge-stacked with one crosser at either end and one
at the center, of the 16-foot board. This is sufficient for the pine,
but was absolutely inadequate for drying green gum. A special
shrinkage take-up was applied at the three points. The results proved
very interesting in spite of the warping which was expected with but
three crossers in 16 feet. The method of circulation described was
used. It is our belief that edge piling is best for this method.

This method of kiln-drying depends on the maintenance of a high
velocity of slightly superheated steam through the lumber. In few
words, the object is to maintain the temperature of the vapor as it
leaves the lumber at slightly above 212 degrees Fahrenheit. In order
to accomplish this result, it is necessary to maintain the high
velocity of circulation. As the wood dries, the superheat may be
increased until a temperature of 225 degrees or 230 degrees Fahrenheit
of the exit air is recorded.

The 1-inch green gum was dried from 20.1 per cent to 11.4 per cent
moisture, based on the dry wood weight in 45 hours. The loss due to
checking was 10 per cent. Nearly every knot in the heartwood was
checked, showing that as the knots could be eliminated in any case,
this loss might not be so great. It was significant that practically
all of the checking occurred in the heartwood. The loss due to warping
was 22 per cent. Of course this was large; but not nearly enough
crossers were used for the gum. It is our opinion that this loss due
to warping can be very much reduced by using at least eight crossers
and providing for taking up of the shrinkage. A feature of this
process which is very important is that the method absolutely prevents
all sap staining.

Another delightful surprise was the manner in which the superheated
steam method of drying changed the color of the sapwood from pure
white to a beautifully uniform, clean-looking, cherry red color which
very closely resembles that of the heartwood. This method is not new
by any means, as several patents have been granted on the steaming of
gum to render the