156 The yoiirnal of Forestry. 



rally, and does not imply any particular kind of wood — send ex- 

 ploring parties up the rivers in Hat bottomed boats with lots of pro- 

 visions, in search of pine timber. When a cluster of pine is dis- 

 covered, one of the men, an experienced hand, climbs a hemlock tree 

 selected as a look-out, from the top of which he can scan the dark 

 foliage of the pine, and estimate its probable extent, conveying to 

 his companions on the ground by meanr of arranged signs the various 

 directions in which the timber extends, which are carefully mapped out 

 on paper. After satisfying themselves of the breadth of timber thus 

 discovered, the expedition retraces its steps homewards, the men 

 blanching trees on the route to enable them to return to the spot 

 without difficulty, when the season for felling operations comes round. 

 In the fall workmen hired by the lumbermen are dispatched to 

 the woods provided with large quantities of provisions, horses, 

 or oxen, meadow hay, axes, sledges, and all requisites necessary in 

 lumbering. The men, on reaching their destination, select a suitable 

 site for camping. The camp or shanty is rather a crude domicile. 

 When not absolutely a tent, it is erected with logs squared on two 

 sides, upper and under ; the roof is composed of split timber, bark, 

 and hemlock branches. A large aperture in one end of the roof 

 serves in the double capacity of chimney and window. Within, a 

 raised platform constitutes the general bed. 



In this primitive, but, when the men possess taste, cosy cabin, 

 the workmen eat, sleep, and enjoy their hours of rest. A cook is 

 told off for every fifty men. The food consists of tea, coffee, corn- 

 bread, molasses, cakes, pork, and white-bush beans, and such fare 

 is at all times abundantly served. Work begins at sun-rise and 

 continues until dark, when the men return to the shanty, where 

 they enjoy their monotonous but yet nutritious food. 



Convenient to the men's shanty are booths put up for the teams ; 

 these are both warm and comfortable. Men are specially in charge 

 of the animals, to see after their wants, to prevent the one injuring the 

 other, and to repel any attack of wild beasts, large numbers of which 

 are continually prowling about in the neighbourhood of shanties. 



The squad of lumbermen is divided into three gangs — choppers, 

 sawyers, and loggers, each having their own distinct duties to per- 

 form. The choppers are very particular in selecting axes the shape of 

 which, and method of working, form national characteristics. A 

 !N"orth West chopper prefers a long blade, rather round in the face 

 with the weight centered in the eye. Catching hold of the extreme 

 end of the handle he delivers his blows from directly over the left 

 shoulder. A INIaine woodsman accepts only a long narrow headed 

 axe; in New York the blade is rather broad and crescent shaped. 

 The Canadian axe has a broad square blade with a short handle. 



