LOGGING IN NORTH-WEST AMERICA. 1 57 



The Straw line is dragged out by hand from the yarding 

 •engine, and passed through a block which is adjusted to a tail 

 tree at the far end of the road. From this it is taken 300 feet 

 or more to the right or left along the back boundary of the 

 •chance ^ and through another block to the yarder. At the 

 yarding engine the end of the straw line which has just been 

 pulled in is attached to the trip line, and the other end is 

 Tolled in on the small drum. This drags the trip line out to 

 and through the blocks and back over the road to the yarder ; 

 the straw line is then detached and the end of the main line 

 attached to the trip line by means of a clevis. The yarder is 

 now ready for operation. The trip line is placed several roads 

 •distant from that being logged ; this obviates frequent change 

 in its position and also keeps it out of the way of the logs 

 as they are hauled in. It has to be remembered that after the 

 log has been hauled in and the choker taken off, the trip line 

 <(haul-back) pulls back the main line with its butt-chain and 

 •attached chokers for another load. 



Most operators in British Columbia and the western Pacific 

 States now use an electric signal, which is connected with the 

 iever of the steam whistle ; six or more dry batteries which are 

 placed near the engine furnish the power to operate the whistle. 

 The current is carried through insulated wires, which may be 

 carried on supports or laid on the ground as desired. The 

 signal can be heard by the yarding crew, who know that the 

 proper signal has been given to the engineer. The signalman, 

 or whistle punk as he is often called, stands where he can see 

 and hear the yarding crew. When he receives the word from the 

 choker men that the load is ready, he signals the engineer by 

 means of an electric switch he holds in his handj this consists 

 of two small flat pieces of wood, somewhat similar to a clothes- 

 pin. By pressing these together he gives the required signal, 

 by blowing or tooting the steam whistle, and when the load 

 starts on its way to the yarder everything is uprooted or broken 

 down which stands in the way. 



1 " Chance " is the lumberman's term for logging unit. 



