The marking will be standard except as noted. Each log will be considered a "piece." The piece numbers will be plainly marked upon the butt end of each log by the collector. The north side of each log will also be marked.

When only one bolt from a tree is used it will be designated by the number of the log from which it is cut. Whenever more than one bolt is taken from a tree, each 4-foot bolt or length of trunk will be given a letter (mark), a, b, c, etc., beginning at the stump.

All bolts will be sawed into 2-1/2" × 2-1/2" sticks and the sticks marked according to the sketch, Fig. 50. The letters N, E, S, and W indicate the cardinal points when known; when these are unknown, H, K, L, and M will be used. Thus, N5, K8, S7, M4 are stick numbers, the letter being a part of the stick number.

Figure 50

Method of cutting and marking test specimens.

Only straight-grained specimens, free from defects which will affect their strength, will be tested.