The following remarks on the selection of timber, &c., may be useful:—
In selecting timber, the surveyor's attention will naturally be given to an examination of the butt or root end, which should be close, solid, and sound; and if satisfied in this respect, the top should next be inspected, to see that it corresponds with the butt-end. Afterwards he will glance over the exposed sides in search of defects, carefully examining the knots, if any, to see that they are solid. He will, of course, avoid any piece that has either heart, cup, or star-shake, or sponginess near the pith at the butt, discoloured wood at the top, splits along the sides, rind-gall, worm holes, or hollow or decayed knots.
In dealing with spar-timber, he will select the straightest pieces; they should be free from all the defects before mentioned, upsets, i.e., fibres crippled by compression, large knots, and even those of moderate size if they are numerous or situate ring-like round the stick. Spar-timber should be straight-grained.
As planks, deals, &c., depend for their usefulness upon both quality and manufacture, the surveyor will not only see that they are free from excess of sap, knots shakes, and shelliness upon their sides, but also that they are evenly cut and fit for use of their thickness. Bright-looking timber is better in quality than dull, and that which is smooth in the working better than the rough or woolly-surfaced.
The heart of trees having the most sap-wood, is generally stronger and better in quality than the heart of trees of the same species, that has little sap-wood.
