Cost of Mountain Logging. 261 



jecting roots and stones on their trip to the skidway, the forward 

 end of each log is rounded off, or ''nosed," by the knot-bumpers. 

 From one to five or even six logs may be taken at a trip with two 

 horses in this way, the number of course depending on the size of 

 the logs, on the horses and driver, on the condition of the skidding 

 road, etc. 



But even after this string of logs is well on its journey toward 

 the skidway, the danger is not over. On a steep descent some of 

 the grabs may pull out, when a part or even all of the logs come 

 sliding pell-mell down upon team and driver. But this is seldom 

 the case, and with well trained horses, experienced drivers and the 

 best roads possible, accidents are extremely rare. Where there is 

 danger of such a slide, one or two of the logs are bridled by wrap- 

 ping a chain around them several times, to prevent their slipping 

 too freely. The usual load is about one thousand feet, log meas- 

 ure. The teams average six trips per day where the haul is not 

 much over one-fourth mile, as is usually the case, although from 

 the streams to the tops of the hills is quite often nearer one-half 

 than one-fourth mile. 



The outfit per team consists, besides the harness and stretchers 

 which cost about $65, of the following, which cost from $4.50 

 to $6.50 — fifteen sets of grabs, a twenty-foot chain, a sixty-foot 

 chain and a pulley, to be used where the team has not room or 

 foothold to work close to the log. 



The cost of skidding per thousand averages about $1.76. 



Per M. 



8 teamsters a $480 per month $0.48 



4 grab drivers " 160 " " . 16 



12 men at 60c board per day .22 



20 horses at $1.50 .90 



Total $1.76 



Loading. — a. By Hand: The railroad track is laid alongside 

 the small streams that run down the river valley. As the moun- 

 tains slope abruptly to the edge of the streams, advantage is taken 

 of this slope to build up the end of the skidway or deck nearest 

 to the track, just high enough to allow the logs to be rolled off on 

 the cars alongside. The back ends of the two logs on the skidway 

 are placed at a slightly higher elevation than are the ends nearest 

 the track, so that a gradual incline from the skidding road to the 



