272 ON THE USE OF STEAM POWER IN FORESTRY. 



minimum, while the wood requires to be carted to the water saw-mill 

 from however great a distance. This is also the case with stationary 

 engines. If the extent of wood cut down be small, one engine, as 

 already suggested, should be used for both the sawing and cartage. 

 For this purpose the mill should be so constructed that the engine 

 can be easily attached and detached at pleasure, and with a multi- 

 plying motion between the engine and saw pulley; as, if the motion 

 is direct, the flywheels of road locomotives generally are too small to 

 drive the saw with sufficient velocity. The common portable engine 

 is usually set on a convenient spot, and worked there as long as the 

 wood around it is within easy cartage to it. "With this engine no 

 intermediate motion is required. It may be stated that the situation 

 chosen for the saw-mill should, if possible, be near a constant supply 

 of water, so as to keep the engine supplied, as an 8-horse power 

 engine consumes from 80 to 100 gallons per hour; the quantity of 

 water consumed depending upon the work done. An 8-horse power 

 would work two saws at any ordinary work; but it is convenient to 

 have a cross-cut saw attached to the mill, to be worked at pleasure, 

 either directly from the engine or from the shaft on which the other 

 saws are fixed. Such a mill is suitable for manufacturing wood for 

 both English and Scotch markets. The number of hands required 

 depends upon the nature of the work. One man is required to 

 attend the engine under all cirumstances ; and if the mill be cutting- 

 staves, for instance, a man and boy at each of the two saws is suffi- 

 cient — the men to work at the saws, and the boys to remove the 

 backs and staves and convey them to where they are to be built for 

 drying. Though not always necessary, it is often the case that a 

 labourer also is employed for removing the sawn timber and sawdust. 

 When cutting heavy timber it often requires two men at each saw, 

 and a labourer to carry the sawn wood to the drying pile. The 

 wages of the men vary in different localities, but it is most profitable 

 to pay a good price for a good workm in of steady habits. At 

 present we pay saw-millers from 20s. to 25s. for sixty hours ; engine- 

 man, 17s. to 20s. with free house; labourers, 17s.; boys, 9s. to 12s. 

 These men are engaged by the month, and consequently their wages 

 are liable to rise and fall during the year. These figures seem high 

 for this class of work on an estate, but as we carry on the work on 

 wood merchant principles, we must pay the same rate for the same 

 class and quantity of work. Our experience in the use of portable 

 steam engines and saw-mdls for a period of sixteen years proves to 

 us that they are indispensable in the manufacture of wood ; and we 



