Information On Weather Stations And The Instruments They Use

By Michael C Logan
Any facility that observes atmospheric conditions using instruments and other equipment to provide information to make weather forecasts and information that can be used to study climate and weather as well is called a weather station. The inputs that make up a weather forecast bulletin are usually temperature, dew point, barometric pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction, and precipitation. These stations can be built on a large scale to service commercial, governmental, and research purposes and can also be on a smaller scale for individual use. The accuracy of almost all instruments in usually quite standard though the larger and more expensive ones are far more acutely tuned.

The information that is gathered from these facilities on a large scale is used in weather monitoring and climatic research and in commercial aviation fields. In the case of smaller establishments the individual or group of individuals can use this information for personal research and environment watch. It has also been used in storm chasing and personal safety from disastrous weather phenomenon in prone areas. Another use of the home weather station is also in private or general aviation - though this information can be obtained from MET departments easily sometimes people prefer to get their own information. This is generally the case seen in sky parks and smaller uncontrolled airports where there may be stations set up.

The equipment more frequently used in weather stations is:
• Anemometer - this instrument is used to measure wind speeds (usually in knots)
• Thermometer - which is used in the measurement of ambient temperature (in Celsius or Fahrenheit)
• Barometer - which is used to measure air pressure
• Wind Vane or Sock - used to measure wind direction
• Hygrometer - for the measurement of humidity
• Rain Gauge - to measure precipitation or amount of rainfall

The more sophisticated the station the more sophisticated instruments are used. Apart from those mentioned above there are instruments that can measure visibility and cloud ceiling as well with the means of a Transmissiometer and a Cloud Projector respectively.

But it is important to know where each instrument needs to be installed to get the most accurate data. The wind vane and rain gauge require direct exposure otherwise their readings will be way off mark. The wind vane needs to be kept in an area without too many obstacles and the rain gauge cannot be placed in the shade of a tree. The rest require their own installation conditions like - the barometer needs to be placed out of the range of direct wind, the thermometer needs to be kept out of direct insolation as does the hygrometer. Thus when setting up a weather station be careful to install the instruments in the right place to get the best readings.

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Great Barrier Reef Facts - Explore the Wonders

By William G Dains
The Great Barrier Reef Facts are as astounding as the actual reef itself. There's so much wonder and amusing information about it that so many people have become so passionate about this great Australian natural wonder. It's vast marine life, its sun-kissed beaches, it's warm turquoise waters and all the unforgettable memories, experiences, and wonders waiting for those who visit.

Perhaps out of all of Australia's natural gifts, the Barrier Reef is the most remarkable of them all. It's the world's largest coral reef. This reef contains an abundance of marine life and comprises of over 3000 individual coral cays and reef systems and literally hundreds and hundreds of picturesque tropical islands with some of the world's most beautiful sun-soaked, golden beaches.

Not surprisingly, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world. And so, pulling back and taking a look at it, from a distance, one would easily understand why. It is considered to be larger than the Great Wall of China; and was claimed to be the only living thing on earth that's visible from space. This magnificent reef actually stretches over 2,600 kilometers.

Tourism earned from the Reef earn over AU$ 4-5 billion per year; making it a very lucrative source of external income. It has thirty species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises have been recorded in the reef as well. It was also studied that six species of sea turtles come to the reef to breed.

And about bird life, there are 215 species of birds. This includes 22 species of seabirds, and 32 species of shorebirds that visit the reef or nest or roost on the islands. Aside from that, there are 17 species of sea snakes that live and flourish in the Great Barrier Reef. There are over 1,500 species of fish that live on the reef. There are also at least 330 species of ascidians on the reef system.

Great Barrier Reef towns include Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Mckay, Bundaberg, and Maryborough have a sense of individuality that made them independent centers which do not rely on Brisbane. This is all located in Queensland, which is unique amongst the Australian states because it has a huge number of genuine coastal capitals.

Back in 2006, there were approximately 820 operators and 1500 vessels and aircraft permitted to operate in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park providing the ease of access for everyone to experience the Great Barrier Reef and learn about its Natural wonders and breathtaking World Heritage values.

Another interesting Great Barrier Reef fact is that it's a breeding area for humpback whales, migrating from the Antarctic and is also the habitat of a few endangered species including the Dugong or the Sea Cow and the large Green Sea Turtle. In recognition to its significance, the Great Barrier Reef was declared as a World Heritage Site in the year 1981.

A closer encounter with the Great Barrier Reef's impressive coral gardens reveal a lot of astounding marine life attractions which include the world's largest collection of corals (easily over 400 corals as a matter of fact). It also includes mollusks, stingrays, sponges, dolphins, over 1500 species of fish, over 200 types of birds, around 20 types of reptiles including sea turtles and giant clams over 120 years old.

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Pansies Are More Than Winter Color

By Stephanie Suesan Smith, Ph.D.
Pansies, and their ancestors the viola, are often planted for winter color. They are that, but they are more. Pansies are edible and can be used to garnish any number of dishes. Best of all, they come in lots of colors so you can color coordinate your dishes.

Pansies come in a multitude of colors and every seed company seems to have its' own series of them. Pay attention to the zone each variety does best in. Some tolerate hot climates such as Texas better, while some do better in the cool North.

Pansies can be grown from cuttings or seeds, but most people buy the plants and transplant them into the ground. If you have a greenhouse and wish to start pansies from seed, you must first put the seed in the refrigerator (NOT the freezer) for 24 hours.

After the chilled seed is removed from the refrigerator, put them in a flat full of soil then lightly cover them. Place plastic wrap over the flat after watering, then place a dark cover over the flat. Place them where it is 60-65 degrees. The seeds will germinate in about two or three weeks.

After the seeds germinate, it takes about 14-16 weeks to get blooms. Blooms should be removed regularly so that the plant continues to produce. Pansies have a faint wintergreen taste. They can be used as garnish, much like parsley, or in salads as part of the meal. Just make sure no pesticides are used on or around them so you do not have a problem from consuming them.

What do you use edible flowers for? If you have a good recipe, I would love to have it.

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A Ponytail Palm Is Not Really A Tree

By Bradley White
A ponytail palm is not a tree, contrary to its name. It is actually a flowering plant that is native to the desert in Mexico, where it is called Beaucarnea recurvata. In America, the plant has several other names including a Bottle Palm because of its thin base and as Elephant Foot because of the shape and thickness of its base.

Ponytail palms grow in a planter just as a traditional houseplant does. It should be placed in bright light to little shade and does not need to be watered as often as other plants. You can water your flora every seven to fourteen days. Watering a lot at one time is better for its growth than watering a little each day.

Just be sure not to over water and allow the pot to drain water as necessary. You can place the plant outside in the summer, but it must be moved indoors when the temperature begins to reach below the mid fifties.

Because the large plants can break plastic pots, you may want to plant it in a ceramic pot. Ponytail palms grow very slowly, so do not overcompensate for this slow growth cycle by watering too much. That will actually kill the plant. It can actually grow to be around twenty feet high with proper care.

Although it looks like a palm tree, the ponytail palm is actually a member of the lily family. Acquiring one of these floras will make an interesting addition to any decor in your home.

Bradley P. White has been a practicing pharmacist in Ohio for 14 years. He focuses his practice on healthy living and wellness. He educates people on how to correct nutritional deficiencies to avoid illness and disease.

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Rules of Nature Govern Adaptation and Evolution

By Pady N
Evolution is the change in the inherited traits of a population of organisms, through successive generations, whereas adaptation is getting oneself suited to the habitat. Evolution results from interactions between processes that introduce/ remove variations into a population. As a result, some traits become more or less.

There are 2 main processes which cause some traits to be common or rare in a population.

1. Natural selection: certain traits which aid survival and reproduction become more common and the one's which hinder them become less/rare. Natural selection occurs as only a small proportion of individuals in each generation, survive and reproduce.
2. Iterative process: this adjusts traits so they become better suited to one's environment/ surroundings.

In the evolutionary process, we find that the outcomes can be classified into micro-evolution and macro-evolution. Macro-evolution occurs at or above the level of a species,such as the extinction. Micro-evolution is a smaller evolution also known as adaptation. It may either cause a gain or loss of an ancestral feature.

Adaptation may take many generations and is one of the basic phenomena of biology. It may also refer to a feature which is important for the survival of an organism. It is not always simple for an organism to adapt itself to its surroundings. An organism must be capable of surviving successfully during its development and the stages of evolution.

It occurs through gradual modification of existing structures. It increases fitness by aiding activities such as finding food, avoiding predators or attracting mates. An adaptive trait is an aspect of developmental pattern of the organism which enhances the portability of the organism to survive and reproduce.

Evolution and adaptation are two sides of the same coin. One without the other is not possible. Also, evolution is followed by adaptation.

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The Destruction of Soils

By Samad Aslam Khan
Soil is destructed in many ways. Erosion is one of the forces that tend to war down the earth's surface. During natural erosion some soil is carried away, but the process goes on so slowly that new soils are formed about fast as the older soils disappear. Thus natural erosion is not very harmful.

Another type of erosion, known as soil erosion or sheet erosion, is different from natural erosion in that it goes on very rapidly. Large amounts of rich topsoil are carried away by the erosion each year due to largely to the poor management of land areas. A few examples will make this clear.

When forest areas are carelessly cut away, the deep humus covering of the forest floor is easily washed away. Soon the slopes are cut deep with gullies.

In western part of America, great numbers of animals graze in mountains. If the animals are permitted to overgraze, the grass is eaten down more rapidly than it can grow. When it is close-cropped in this way, the roots are often exposed and the grass dies. Also, the constant tramping of the animals tends to cut the roots and cause the grass to die. The roots of grass tend to hold the soil in place. When these roots are destroyed, the loose soil can be more easily washed away by running water.

In some of prairie states the land once had a natural cover of grass. When these grasslands were plowed for the production of crops, the soil was exposed to sheet erosion. In this way much valuable topsoil has been carried away by running water.

In some areas where the natural cover has been broken, large amounts of topsoil have been blown away by the winds. Rainfall varies from year to year. If a period of prolonged drought happens to come when the natural grass soil covering has been broken, the soil may blow away in dust storms.

Some of the areas in the so-called "dust bowl" have been turned into barren deserts. The land became covered with sand which drifted almost like snow over farms, building, and highways. These farms had to be abandoned.

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The Abilities Of Wild Animals

By Jesse Allaria
The examination of the abilities of many large, and small wild animals may help us find answers in the quest for solutions to energy problems. Sharp minds of scientists and entrepreneurs may produce a useful and direct solution to many energy problems, if not all, by simply applying some of the facts that are proposed by the abilities of these animals.

Imagine the White Shark being able to solve the problem of speed and fuel consumption. The fact of it's large, broad in the middle and pointed at each end, which helps it slip easily through the water, not forgetting that thick oil in the shark's large liver that improves its buoyancy.

Driving itself along with it's highly efficient tail and holding himself quite stiffly, facts that provides it with excellent propulsion through it's liquid territory. Large Polar Bears, which feed of highly blubbery mammals which produce large quantities of fat, which is stored in the quite large body of these bears, it's thick coat that is such an efficient insulating material, which has being known to cause overheating in the summer days, present an interesting clue to the problem of energy saving products in human life.

Few facts of location of important body parts on certain animals, like the position of the nostrils on a Crocodile, which provides a way of breathing when the rest of its body is submerged, gives a hint on why a few techniques of energy preservation aren't working, the position, location or method in which they are being done, may need to change to conquer the best results.

The ability of some animals to change skin tone and texture that helps them collect scents, and sun rays, knowledge that can be of great help the creation of devices that while inexpensive, will provide the way to collect sun rays reserve for times in which the sun rays are not easily collected.

It really is not a coincidence that these animal are able to survive in their habitats, Nature has the answer to all the questions, and the energy to provide a satisfactory and protective way of producing ways to survival for most of these animals, if we could generate a comprehensive, but caring plan to build a better existence that uses the commodities given by nature in a constructive way, we may have a chance for the revival and renewal of our presence here on earth. There might be a way to connect the dots that will mark the connection between what these animals are capable of and the way that we can generate powers such that energy consumption and usage will be not only possible but easily produce without waste.

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4 Major Australian Storms

By Justin N. Murray
Like many places around the world, Australia has been a victim of major storms at different times. Storms often follow a season, but not always. Australia often has summer storms, but they can hit at any time of the year. The following storms stand out as having caused major damage, destruction and sometimes death. While some damage is unavoidable, property can often be protected by the use of canopies or netting.

Many cyclones hit or pass the northern coast of Australia every year. With much of the region sparsely populated, a lot of these cyclones fortunately do not interfere with human habitation. When a populated region is unlucky enough to be in a cyclone's path, the results can be devastating. So it was with some of the following storms.

Cyclone Tracy

Cyclone Tracy would be at the forefront of most Australians' minds as one of Australia's worst disasters. Hitting Darwin, Northern Territory on December 25, 1974, it certainly ruined Christmas. The death toll was recorded as 71 and the damage was extreme. The majority of the town's buildings were destroyed, meaning the town needed to largely be rebuilt. Around 20,000 were left homeless and many were evacuated far and wide to other parts of Australia.

Cyclone Mahina

Less well known, due to the elapsing of time, but much more costly on human life was Cyclone Mahina, where 400 Australians perished. Cyclone Mahina struck Bathurst Bay, Queensland in March 1899. Among the victims were the crews of pearling ships in the area, along with around 100 native Aborigines. Cyclone Mahina has been calculated as a category 5 cyclone, the most severe of all.

Cyclone - Port Hedland, Western Australia

As can be seen with Cyclone Mahina, not only those on land need to fear a cyclone's destructive force. Sea faring vessels have been particularly vulnerable throughout history. On 20th March, 1912 the SS Koombana found itself in the path of a cyclone off the coast of Port Hedland, Western Australia. All that was found of the SS Koombana following the storm was some floating wreckage, with the estimated 138 on board all thought to have passed away. Another 11 died on other nearby ships.

Broome, Western Australia

Broome's pearling fleets have been the unfortunate victims of two separate major cyclones that both took the lives over over 140 men. These occurred in 1887 and 1935. The beauty today of Eighty Mile Beach belies the horror of the bodies and debris washed up on its shore in the former of these two tragedies. Just 48 years later, it would tragically happen again, this time closer to town.

Many of these most destructive storms occurred the best part of a century ago, and some even longer ago than that. While nature's fury, in the form of storms and cyclones can't be stopped, with modern technology its destruction can certainly be drastically reduced. Modern meteorology systems help put citizens on high alert, and warn vessels not to go out to sea in times of approaching storms. Improved building standards make property more resistant, and even produce can help be protected by the use of bird netting.

NetPro specialises in the design and construction of hail netting protective canopies as well as general protective canopy systems. We have a wide range of outdoor canopies & shade cloth: bird netting, insect screen, smart shade & more. For more information or to view our products, visit blogspot.com,blogspot,blogger

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Types of Trees Found in Georgia

By Samuel Johnstein
The State of Georgia is home to approximately 250 species of trees. Due to the various topographical and climactic regions, the location of trees and the densities of each species are varied throughout the state.

One of the most common trees found in Georgia is the red cedar. A mid-sized tree growing between 40 to 50 feet with a 2- to 3-foot diameter, its small leaves, berry fruit, and light-brown bark characterize the red cedar. The tree has also been found to carry a distinct fragrance, akin to sap. It is found throughout the state, particularly in areas with significant limestone ridges, such as those of northwest Georgia. Interestingly, they are rarely found along the coastal plains but have been found to be more abundant near the sea. As a species of the evergreen tree, red cedar is often used to produce fence posts, pencils, interior finish and other novelties.

The Eastern white pine is another tree that flourishes in Georgia. Found mostly in the mountains of the northern region, the Eastern white pine is noted for its blue-green and white-hued needles, cylindrical cones and coiled branches. It can grow up to 80 feet in height with a trunk size of 3 feet in diameter with bark that is soft, light-toned and patterned with straight grains and tinges of crimson. Eastern white pines are incorporated into a variety of construction projects, as well as used in interior finish and caskets.

However, the tree that comes out on top in Georgia is the live oak, the official state tree. The adoption was made 1937 at the request of the Waynesboro chapter of the national organization, Daughters of the American Revolution, who found the tree to embody the spirit of coastal Georgia. The live oak is a distinguished by its thick and leathery evergreen leaves with rounded edges, acorns, and spreading appearance. It's average dimensions are comparable to those of the red cedar, ranging 40 to 50 feet in height and 4 feet in diameter. Known for providing a great source of shade, the live oak is found mostly along the coast and lower coastal plains where they stand on elevated land above marshy areas.

Other notable trees in Georgia are the sugar maples and needle palms, as well as various types of a hickory and oak. Trees are many and varied in this Southern state, providing a thriving arboreal landscape all around.

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How to Best Protect Cars From the Elements

By Justin N. Murray
Purchasing a car is one of the most major financial decisions many people will make. While insurance and safe driving will help look after your investment, it is also important to consider other unplanned or unthought of dangers to one's vehicle, such as the weather. A range of car protection products are available on the market, including protective canopies.

Garage

Car garages are great protectors of cars. If one is fortunate enough to have a garage at home, then it is worth making use of it. Often made of brick, garages should usually ward off all types of storms. Unfortunately for cars, garages often become part of a house. This can mean they get turned into storage areas, or convenient workshops for repairs or woodworking. They might even become a spare bedroom.

Some houses are equipped with double or even triple garages. These multi car storage areas might be able to house a whole family's cars. If just a single garage is in existence, large families (particularly with grown, driving children) may need to park some cars outside, where they are exposed. Garages have the benefit of also being able to be locked up, therefore protecting not just against the elements, but also would be thieves or vandals.

Car Cover

Not in the same league as a garage, a car cover provides some minimal protection for a vehicle. Made of flexible material, they can easily be thrown over a car in a minute, with elastic edging helping to snugly attach the cover to the car. Car covers are good at combating leaves and twigs that might be moved around by wind. These items can leave stains and marks on a car's paintwork. Any weather event more forceful than a bit of wind is not going to be deterred by a car cover though. A car in the open is still at the mercy of any falling branches, and larger debris. Car covers do provide some sun protection.

Car Port

Car Ports are an intermediate type solution for protection from the weather. They do provide a good amount of shade, and catch quite a bit of debris like leaves and twigs before they land on one's car. Most are not self enclosing though, meaning that debris can still hit a car from side angles. They are much more effective at protecting a car during hailstorms, but are not foolproof if the sides are not enclosed.

Car Canopies

Canopies are another solution for car protection. Manufacturers can often tailor a solution based on the level of protection one feels is necessary, taking into consideration the usual weather patterns of a certain area. Those that are hoisted up with a simple sail type canopy above may do a similar job to a car port, but in a more aesthetically pleasing way. More advanced structures will feature enclosed netting, keeping most intruding matter out, whilst also providing sun protection. Flat netting can provide some hail protection. Netting with a pitched roof design can more effectively combat heavier hail storms by deflecting hail and not sagging under its weight.

As we can see, a range of car protection options are available to vehicle owners. Each have their own relative merits. Garages are very solid in weather protection. Car ports are a more budget option. Car covers are very economical, but provide limited security. Car canopies that use bird netting technology provide innovative solutions that are quite robust in an outdoor setting.

NetPro specialises in the design and construction of hail netting protective canopies as well as general protective canopy systems. We have a wide range of outdoor canopies & shade cloth: bird netting, insect screen, smart shade & more. For more information or to view our products, visit

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What to Know About the Beekeeping Suit

By JJ Lang
One of the most important pieces in a beekeepers' wardrobe is the beekeeping suit. In this article we will take a brief look at the beekeeping suit and additional items to complement the suit.

The beekeeper's main protection against bee stings is to wear the right protective clothes. It is recommended to wear a suit that covers the full length of your body. There are various types of beekeeping suits available for you to choose from. You can choose a one piece suit or a separate jacket and pants. After you decided on the type of outfit you like, visit some of the beekeeping supply stores in your area or visit the Internet to see what is available.

Choose a suit that fits nice and comfortable to work in. It should not be too tight and also not too loose. It is recommended to choose a fairly light weight material. A popular choice among beekeepers is a cotton and polyester blend. The material should be of a tight enough weave to prevent the bee stings from penetrating. It should still be light enough to keep you nice and cool on a hot summer day. In case some bee stings get stuck in the fabric, you must be able to shake it off easily a firm tuck. A heavy weight pure cotton suit gives good protection, but it can become very hot to work in during the summer. Choose a light color, preferably white. White will keep you cool on a hot summer day and also make it easier to detect bees and bee stings on the suit.

The cuffs on the arms of your suit should be elasticized and snugly fitted around your wrists. The pant hem can also be elasticized and a side zipper is very convenient when wearing boots. Just remember, even if you wear a full body suit, you might still get the occasional sting. Many beekeepers even believe that you should get stung once in a while to build your immunity to the bee venom.

An integral and very important part of the beekeeping suit is a hat and a veil. The hat and veil is designed to keep the bees away from your face and neck area. There are various types of veils available. Some are draped over the hat and tied around the chest, while others can be zipped onto the suit.

It is vital to protect your face and neck area from bee stings because these areas of your body are "targeted" by the bees. Bees are attracted to a person's breath and darker areas on the face such as the eyes, nose and mouth. A sting on the neck can cause severe swelling to some people and they can experience difficulty breathing.

Gloves are worn to protect your hands against bee stings. Choose a pair of good quality leather gloves. Although most beekeepers use gloves, there are several beekeepers who prefer not to wear gloves when working with their hives. It is easier to work and inspect the hive without gloves because you can work more precise and accurate.

One of the last items is a pair of white rubber boots. The rubber is impenetrable to bee stings and is also easy to keep clean. Buy a good quality boot that is odor resistant.

A good habit is to clean your gear well after every use. Washing your beekeeping suit after each use will minimize the risk of bee stings. When a honeybee stings, a pheromone is excreted that is like an alarm signal to other bees of possible danger. Bees will react to this pheromone and an attack frenzy can be the result. When you wash you beekeeping suit regularly, the pheromone will not be detected by the bees.

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Interesting and Fun Facts About the Giraffe

By Linda Aviles
Known for their long neck and spots, giraffes have been on earth for over 20 million years now. The first giraffe was known as the Climacoceras, which resembled a deer like creature and was alive during the early Miocene period, The Climacoceras wasn't as big as the giraffes today. They actually measured about 1.5 m in height and weight around 100 kg. It even had large horns resembling the antlers of a deer. Today, giraffes measure around 15 - 9 feet and can weigh an astonishing 1600 pounds. The "horns" on their heads are called Ossicones. Females have a tuft of fur atop of the horns, whereas the males horns are bald. The Ossicones are occasionally used in a fight, but giraffes usually use there long necks or powerful hooves to attack. "Necking" is also done to establish dominance and strength between two males

Giraffes are actually quite timid and can eat about 140 pounds of food a day! They are herbivores, which means they eat no meat at all. They eat twigs, grass, shrubs and fruit. Their necks make it easy for them to feast on many twigs and leaves because the neck is 5 feet in length. Their large necks also helps them spot predators from afar. Giraffes have few enemies because of their height and the little amount of sleep they get. They sleep around 2 hours a day, making it harder for predators to attack. These long-legged animals also run pretty fast, with a speed of up to 30 miles per hour. The spots that run throughout the body is used for camouflage and can help them hide away from predators.

The beautiful look of the giraffe has been used in home decor today. Beautiful wooden giraffe carvings have created an exotic look to the home while adorable giraffe bedding has been used to create a fun and unique jungle-themed bedroom.

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Primitive Crafts and Skills - How to Find Dry Wood in the Wet Woods

By Steven G. Jennings
It's been raining. You're cold and wet and lost in the woods. The lean-to is set up to keep the rain off, but you begin to feel the chill settle in your bones. You know you need to build a fire soon or you are in big trouble. How are you going to get a fire going when everything is so wet?

One of the primitive crafts and skills that can be the difference between life and death is a mastery of fire. You should know how to build a fire lay, how to start a fire using an array of modern and primitive means, and how to start and maintain a fire in wet weather.

Once you get a fire going, you can begin to add wet wood. It will dry out and burn. Some woods dry faster than others. One example of a quick drying wood is tulip poplar. But getting the fire started in the first place can be tricky. However, it is not impossible if you know where to look.

If it's raining and you don't have much of anywhere to store wood to keep it dry, start collecting bigger pieces first. They won't be as affected by the additional moisture. You will want to collect enough wood to get a strong fire going before you ignite anything. Look for pieces that still have the bark on them. We'll get to the best way to prepare them later.

Next, get smaller pieces of wood. Where do you look?

* If you are in an evergreen forest, many of the small, dead lower branches stay fairly dry. Also look for pine cones and dry pine needles. Resinous woods often burn whether or not they are wet, but I've always had better luck with it dry.
* If you see a portion of a log hanging in the air, look at the underside and pull off the dry bark or take a knife and shave some pieces of wood off of it.
* Look for rock overhangs and gather leaves, twigs, nut shells or whatever other fire starting materials you can find in the dry area under them.
* Look under trees that are lying on the ground, they often provide a shelter for the debris under them.

The above methods can net you some dry material with minimal work, but there is another way to get dry wood if none of the above options are available.

* Begin with a larger piece of wood, say wrist width in diameter
* Skin the bark off the piece of wood
* Using your knife with a baton or a hatchet, split it into the smallest possible size.

The wood should be dry enough to catch quickly. Before you start your fire, you should have available double the amount of small wood that you would normally need to start a fire in dry weather.

Also make sure you have tinder to get things started. There are a number of commercial tinders, but one of the best around is called PJ Cotton. Just take some cotton balls and saturate them with petroleum jelly. They catch as spark and burn for several minutes allowing you to get your fire going. You can also use natural tinders such as birch, juniper or cedar bark.

With the larger pieces of wood, peel the bark off of them before adding them to the fire. If you don't have a dry place to put them, don't peel the bark until the last minute.

Knowing where to look for and how to use what is there can save your life when you need to build a fire in wet woods.

There are many primitive crafts and skills every hunter, fisherman, camper or hiker should know. Owning these skills can mean the difference of life and death in a survival situation.

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Common Defects Found in Timber From Timber Merchants and Their Causes

By David L Coleman
We've all heard the horror stories of timber arriving and only half of it being usable. We thought we'd have a quick look at some of the reasons timber can be defective.

Cupping.
Cupping is literally when tangential-cut boards experience shrinkage due to the growth rings swelling faster at the heart, causing them to bow. Radial-cut boards are therefore a safer bet as their shrinkage will be less noticeable.

Knots.
Knots are often a good indicator of the quality of the timber. The fewer knots, the higher the grade of timber. Knots are evidence of where trees have started to grow branches that got broken off (branch fail!). Knots only tend to dramatically affect the strength of the timber if they are "dead knots", or knots that have become loose.

Shrinkage.
As the cause of cupping mentioned above, shrinkage occurs as timber continues to lose moisture content. The drying process increases timber strength, but continued drying often leads to shrinkage.

Bowing.
Imagine a sagging shelf. Incorrect storage or even the board's own weight if ill-supported can cause gravity to pull it down in the middle.

Splitting.
Like the fraying ends of cloth, splitting starts at the end grain and carries on through the board.

Shakes.
When enormous pressure builds up under the earth, fault lines are present where the earth's tectonic plates slip past each other due to huge pressures. In trees, when growing (either non-uniformly, or sometimes due to frost) or seasoned, the release of internal stresses, and subsequent "crack!" result in shakes. Shakes can go all the way through the diameter of a tree, making a lot of its wood hard to use. It's not always apparent until sawing that this fault exists.

This is by no means a comprehensive list of timber defects, but covers a few of the most common you may come across.

Minimising Wastage
Of course, the more timber you have that can be used, the less wastage there is and the further your money goes. Timber that consistently suffers from any of the above defects delivered time and time again is going to give any company a bad name.

Some merchants will simply ship you out what's in stock, no matter what state it's in. Merchants that commonly do this aren't usually concerned with repeat business and you might find you have a hard time getting things rectified, with staff not wanting to know.

A merchant that prides itself on delivering quality timber will have rigorous quality control procedures and mechanisms in place. These should include the timber merchant company buyers visiting the sawmills that the timber is imported from and hand-selecting the timber that they know their clients will be able to use.

Because this is a time-intensive process, prices may be a little higher from a reputable timber merchant, but you'll be able to use 99% of the timber you receive, rather than 50-60% in some poor cases, for which you'll end up paying more in the long run in time and money.

iWood Timber Merchants are a reputable UK based oak suppliers. Every member of staff has over 25 years experience in the timber industry and we pride ourselves on our industry knowledge and the high level of quality in the timber that we supply.

READ MORE - Common Defects Found in Timber From Timber Merchants and Their Causes