20 Forestry Quarterly. 



river. This has led many owners to permit responsible contrac- 

 tors to thin young stands of maple, ash, elm, birch, etc., free of 

 charge. The brush men trim the live side branches to pack in the 

 top of the bundle to make it hold its diameter, hence the appear- 

 ance of the stand after thinning is very pleasing. Trees in the 

 open are frequently trimmed to the top; one such tree, a birch 

 about 20 years old, furnished 19 bundles of brush from its side 

 branches. 



An experienced brush cutter covers the tract systematically, 

 beginning near the banking ground and cutting successive strips. 

 The brush is placed in wind-rows, in piles of sufficient size for a 

 bundle. These piles are allowed to dry for three days to a week 

 and are then tied. In tying, the brush is first lifted onto a rack 

 about 16 feet long made after the fashion of a sawhorse. Some- 

 times three short racks are used instead of having them joined 

 into a long one. The work is greatly facilitated if the ends of 

 the cross sticks on which the bundle rests are long and slightly 

 curved downward, since this prevents the brush from catching 

 while it is being tied. Two men work together in tying. The 

 brush is compressed by the use of two wooden arms about 3 feet 

 long, which are connected by a rope 18 inches long, tied about 3 

 inches from the lower end of the sticks. One arm is passed 

 beneath the bundle and then back over the top so that the rope 

 forms a loop around the bundle. By pressing down on the arms, 

 using the 3 inches at the lower end as a fulcrum, the bundle is 

 choked tight. One arm is fastened under the cross piece of the 

 rack, leaving a man free to tie the brush. Strings are usually 

 cut 52 inches long, and double strings are frequently used on the 

 first two ties to prevent the bundles from loosening during 

 handling. Lath yarn is preferred to wire because, though more 

 expensive, it saves time and does not hurt the fingers. After 

 tying, the bundles are carried into convenient piles with the butts 

 placed in one direction. They are then loaded on wagons with 

 special racks which are made so that the brush may be tipped off 

 without handling. Three men work together in loading (a driver 

 and two loaders). The brush is dumped on the bank of the river 

 or a slough and is then carried on the barges. A barge will hold 

 about 400 cubic yards, and this quantity can be loaded by six men 

 in half day, under average conditions. The bundles are piled 



