98 FOREST commissioner's REPORT. 



at once and the wood is left in a comparatively seasoned con- 

 dition. The tops may then be cut off and the stem put into the 

 water immediately. Another method is to remove the tops at 

 once and then let the logs stay in the woods for about a year to 

 season. This method is probably not so effective, since birch 

 seasons very slowly when left with the bark on. If cut in sum- 

 mer the logs are also likely to stain badly, at least at the ends. 



It is generally thought by lumbermen that paper birch can be 

 successfully driven short distances and remain in the water two 

 or three weeks, but that after that it becomes waterlogged and 

 sinks. Logs have been rafted 40 miles, however, and have re- 

 mained in the water fifty or sixty days, with results good enough 

 to warrant the drive. The amount lost depends not only on 

 the seasoning of the wood but also on the weather conditions. 

 Even the lightest birch floats low in the water, and during 

 heavy winds is likely to work its way under the boom and 

 escape. While the average loss under good weather conditions 

 may perhaps be 10 per cent, this loss may easily be doubled by 

 a severe storm. 



Mill men differ decidedly in their opinions as to the wisdom 

 of attempting to drive paper birch. Some think it inadvisable 

 under any conditions ; others think that under certain conditions 

 it pays well for short distances ; while still others believe in 

 attempting long drives. Some think that driving injures the 

 quality of the wood ; others think not, and the question has not 

 yet been studied enough to lead to any hard and fast conclu- 

 sions. The one great advantage of driving over hauling is its 

 cheapness. For distances up to '20 miles it should give good 

 results, provided the wood is properly handled before it is put 

 into the water. Driving is often valuable in making stands 

 accessible which are now too remote to be lumbered in the ordi- 

 nary way. In time it may be supplanted by log haulers or 

 railroads, but at present it is a valuable method under certain 

 conditions. 



POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS. 



Although the present methods of lumbering paper birch are, 

 on the whole very good and generally economical, there are a 

 few ways in which they could be improved and more complete 

 utilization secured. First of all, stumps should be cut lower 

 and the trees should be felled with a saw instead of an ax. 



