1 94 TH E NEW FORESTRY. 



free from flaws* about eighteen feet long and about ten 

 inches by six inches, a price can be got sometimes exceeding 

 the price of a whole tree, sold standing, that might probably 

 contain several such pieces of timber. The same remarks 

 apply to the other timbers required for the frame work of 

 waggons, and also to good butts of sycamore, ash, and beech, 

 etc. In short, the home saw-mill could cut up a great variety 

 of materials in constant demand by different trades. The 

 disadvantage would be, on most estates, that the supply 

 would not be regular, and orders could not be always 

 accepted to suit purchasers. A partly idle saw-mill is not 

 a profitable concern, and such workshops require trained men, 

 and come within the scope of the Workmen's Compensation 

 Act. Where water-power can be had, a saw-mill for 

 ordinary estate purposes does not cost a great deal, but to be 

 of sufficient capacity for general purposes the plant would 

 have to be on a scale such as few private estates could 

 profitably maintain. 



SECTION II. TRANSPORT OF TIMBER. 



In regard to this subject it need only be stated that horse 

 labour is the most expensive method by far of hauling timber. 

 Traction engines can be employed on almost any wood road 

 or drive, provided the wheels are about two-and-a-half feet 

 broad, and the engines do not much exceed ten tons, and they 

 are much cheaper than horses where much work has to be 

 done. Fifty per cent, or more is said to have been saved by 

 their use. Tramways are cheaper still when the timber has to 

 be transported a good distance, and are much employed in 

 the colonies. 



SECTION III. CREOSOTING TIMBER. 



Considering how cheaply creosoted fencing materials can 

 now be bought from Hartlepool and elsewhere, we cannot here 

 recommend creosoting plant, generally (usually involving a 

 saw-mill), for private estates, except where many miles of 

 wood fencing have to be kept up. Spruce and Scotch fir 

 posts and rails can also be made, seasoned and dipped in 

 black varnish or gas tar, at the rate of about 6d. per cubic foot, 

 including the price of the timber ; and a creosoted cubic foot 



