ON THE USE OF STEAM POWER IN FORESTRY. 269 



XXVIII— On the Use of Steam Power in Forestry. By D. F. 

 M'Kenzie, Forester, Meldrum House. 



The great advantages resulting from the employment of steam 

 power in almost every branch of industry are so generally recognised 

 that it seems out of place to make any prefatory remark. In 

 forestry, however, its application is at present on a very limited 

 scale ; but we believe, were it more fully tried, confidence would 

 be gained, and great advantages would follow. 



The successful employment of the locomotive engine in aid to 

 forestry depends upon the extent of work contemplated, the con- 

 dition of the roads in and fiom the woods, and the distance from 

 market, shipping port, or railway station. It will be apparent that 

 the quantity ol wood requiring to be cut must be sufficient to keep 

 the engine in operation all the year round, and this may be one 

 reason why steam power is not more extensively applied, especially 

 in the transit of timber. Yet, on moderately wooded estates, this 

 objection could be got over by causing the same engine to saw the 

 timber and transport it to market, and, in many cases, drag it to the 

 mill side, al a much cheaper rate than by horse power. For this 

 purpose the engine would require to be a road locomotive engine, 

 workable also as a common portable one. However, on estates 

 where the work is very extensive, the employment of two engines 

 woidd, we think, be more profitable thin that of one, as the saw- 

 mill engine might then never require to be moved except from one 

 wood to another, for convenience in carting to the mill, thus saving 

 much labour. The other engine might be always used for the 

 transport of timber, and the same men employed at the same work. 

 The saw-mill engine, if a common portable one, would cost less than 

 a road locomotive of the same power, and, when being moved, it 

 could be drawn by either the road locomotive or by horses. Where 

 the working of two engines is practicable, the proportionate profit 

 will be much greater. 



Most of our country roads are quite serviceable for the use of a 

 locomotive of the power described ; and in woods, if the soil is hard 

 and tolerably level, a loaded traction engine could travel over it with 

 ease, for the purpose of carting or dragging the felled timber to 

 the saw-mill. As to the distance from shipping port, <kc, the 

 distance the engine can go and return in a day is about sixteen 

 miles. 



