128 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



A special portable boiler for supplying steam to the machine 

 was also quoted at that time at ^113, los. 



When the machine was first offered for sale, the makers 

 anticipated that it would require four men to remove it from tree 

 to tree owing to its weight. Messrs Campbell got over this 

 difficulty somewhat easily, as they ingeniously fastened a 

 wrought-iron axle to the machine to which they fitted two 

 removable wheels, thus enabling two men to transport it easily 

 over rough and sodden ground to the next tree to be felled. It 

 may be added that the cut made by the saw is exceptionally 

 clean and smooth. 



A special portable boiler was not required by Messrs Campbell, 

 as they already possessed a seven horse-power traction engine 

 which proved an efficient substitute. As the traction engine is 

 fitted with a wire-rope hauling apparatus, it was used for turning 

 heavy logs to enable the limbs to be more easily dressed off, and 

 for loading carts and waggons. 



Messrs Hugh Campbell & Sons, with the concurrence of 

 Messrs Ransome, arranged that the tree-feller could be seen 

 working on the i8th February last, whilst a plantation of large- 

 sized oaks was being felled on the Ochtertyre estate, about 

 midway between Doune and Stirling. Unfortunately the day 

 proved unfavourable, and the demonstration took place during a 

 heavy snow-storm. Notwithstanding, it was clearly shown that 

 very satisfactory work can be done, even under adverse weather 

 conditions — one oak 46 inches in diameter being cut down in 

 13 minutes — and that a most useful and economic machine 

 propelled by steam can now be used in timber felling operations. 

 Amongst those present were Dr Borthwick, Edinburgh, and 

 Mr Stewart of the Board of Agriculture. 



The two photographs (PI. XIII. figs, i and 2) show the 

 machine at work, the position of the engine, and some of the 

 trees cut. 



The writer is permitted by the Messrs Campbell to state — and 

 the information is interesting — that they very recently felled by 

 the steam tree-feller eighty oak trees, the average contents of 

 which were 50 cubic feet. They sold these trees at 2s. 6d. per 

 cubic foot, delivered in Glasgow district. This makes an average 

 of jQ6, 5s. per tree. 



