The material will be from trees selected in the forest by one qualified to determine the species. From each locality, three to five dominant trees of merchantable size and approximately average age will be so chosen as to be representative of the dominant trees of the species. Each species will eventually be represented by trees from five to ten localities. These localities will be so chosen as to be representative of the commercial range of the species. Trees from one to three localities will be used to represent each species until most of the important species have been tested. The 16-foot butt log will be taken from each tree selected and the entire merchantable hole of one average tree for each species. _Field Notes and Shipping Instructions_ Field notes as outlined in Form--_a_ Shipment Description, Manual of the Branch of Products, will be fully and carefully made by the collector. The age of each tree selected will be recorded and any other information likely to be of interest or importance will also be made a part of these field notes. Each log will have the bark left on. It will be plainly marked in accordance with directions given under Detailed Instructions. All material will be shipped to the laboratory immediately after being cut. No trees will be cut until the collector is notified that the laboratory is ready to receive the material. DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS _Part of Tree to be Tested_ (_a_) For determining the value of tree and locality and the influence on the mechanical properties of distance from the pith, a 4-foot bolt will be cut from the top end of each 16-foot butt log. (_b_) For investigating the variation of properties with the height of timber in the tree, all the logs from one average tree will be used. (_c_) For investigating the effect of drying the wood, the bolt next below that provided for in (_a_) will be used in the case of one tree from each locality. _Marking and Grouping of Material_ 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" X 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. [Illustration: FIG. 50.--Method of cutting and marking test specimens.] Only straight-grained specimens, free from defects which will affect their strength, will be tested. _Care of Material_