<html><head><style type="text/css"></style></head><body><div style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">In the Pacific NW, rivers and Puget Sound (saltwater) are used for transportation. The logs are bundled, built into rafts, and towed to the sawmills or export docks, by tugs. There are many pilings, similar to those shown in Scotland - but not nearly so old- in most of our waterways. Ron N's right (of course) about keeping the logs damp to avoid splitting. The big log yards inland, have huge sprinkler systems that keep the logs wet when it isn't raining (which isn't often this time of year...).</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Another "seasoning" that hasn't come up for awhile is the "freezing" method, to improve tone.</DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Dave Davis, RPT<BR></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">----- Original Message ----<BR>From: Ron Nossaman <rnossaman@cox.net><BR>To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org><BR>Sent: Friday, March 23, 2007 7:55:55 AM<BR>Subject: "Seasoning"<BR><BR> <DIV>Soaking in brine would be seasoning to taste, wouldn't it?<BR><BR>As I understand it, the holding ponds at lumber mills were to <BR>float the logs so they could be sorted and maneuvered more <BR>easily than on land, keep them clean, and keep them from <BR>drying out and splitting before they could be planked. After <BR>being cut up, they can be stacked and stickered, and air/kiln <BR>dried.<BR><BR>Properly done, short of damaging the wood, there is no <BR>reported difference in dimensional stability or strength with <BR>different drying methods.<BR><BR>If anyone finds out different, let me know.<BR><BR>Ron N</DIV></DIV> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><BR></DIV></div></body></html>