THE HOME PITWOOD SUPPLY. 5 



The prices given must not be taken as representing a standard 

 market rate. They are, however, approximately the values 

 current at the present time (November 19 14), and show a 

 substantial advance on the prices ruling before the outbreak 

 of war. 



An examination of the table will show at once the enormous 

 difference in weight between freshly felled and unpeeled wood, 

 and peeled and dried wood. This difference is a vital considera- 

 tion in railway carriage, and is also of great importance for 

 cartage. For thoroughly dry wood the railway carriage for 

 comparatively long distances, although burdensome, is not 

 necessarily prohibitive. For wet unpeeled wood the railway rate 

 over the same distance may easily be prohibitive. Unfortunately, 

 in the present emergency much pitwood must be conveyed in 

 a wet state if the Scottish collieries are to be kept going. It 

 may be a matter for argument who is to pay for the weight 

 of water so carried, but there would certainly seem to be 

 strong grounds for asking the Government, as an emergency 

 measure, to reduce the railway rates to such a degree as would 

 counterbalance the additional deadweight existing in undried 

 pitwood. 



Assuming that there is no alteration in railway rates, the 

 result is likely to be an excessive felling of young woods within 

 a 50 miles radius of the colliery districts; a consequence much 

 to be deplored in the interests of Scottish forestry. Another 

 probable result will be the holding back of supplies for some 

 months until the timber is well dried, and the railway carriage 

 less onerous in consequence. Meanwhile the coal-owners have 

 signified their willingness to take unpeeled wood of any species 

 except beech, and to accept it whether freshly felled or seasoned. 

 It may in many cases be a convenience to cut heavier stems 

 than 5 inches diameter to produce pitwood. It was, therefore, 

 necessary to adjust the equivalents in quartered or squared 

 props. These equivalents are : — 



