I20 LOGGING 



practical log rule based on the measurement of any portion of 

 the bark could not be devised. 



When the log is not round the average diameter is taken. 

 Diameters are usually rounded to even inches, one-half inch or 

 less being tallied as the next even inch below, and over one-half 

 inch, as the next even inch above. Some scalers, however, 

 throw all fractional inches in the next lower inch class. 



Veneer logs, especially when they are to be rotary cut, are 

 often measured on the smallest diameter. Extra long logs such 

 as are frequently cut in some parts of the spruce region, the 

 yellow pine region of the South, and the fir region of the Pacific 

 Coast may be scaled as single lengths, with or without allowance 

 for the taper of the log. 



On the National Forests, except in Alaska and the territory 

 west of the Cascade Mountains, logs over i6 feet long are scaled 

 as two, and preferably in lengths not less than 1 2 feet.^ This is 

 accomplished either by determining the actual diameter of the 

 logs at the intermediate points or by making allowance for the 

 taper. In private practice where no allowance is made for taper, 

 the log rules give results far below the sawing contents of the 

 log. 



(3) Determination of the quality or grade of the log. When 

 scaling is done primarily to serve as the basis for the payment 

 of saw or skidding crews it is customary to measure defective 

 logs as though they were sound and to give full credit to the 

 workmen since it requires as much time and labor to fell and 

 handle them as it does sound logs, and discrimination acts as an 

 inducement for workmen to leave defective timber in the woods. 



Where the object of scahng is to furnish a basis for the sale 

 of timber it is customary to reduce the scale of defective logs 



1 On the National Forests in Alaska and west of the summit of the Cascade 

 Mountains in Washington and Oregon, logs up to and including 32 feet long are 

 scaled as one log; lengths from 34 to 64 feet, inclusive, are scaled as two logs, the 

 division being made as near the center as possible, for example, a 34-foot log would 

 be scaled as an 18-foot butt log and a 16-foot top log. On logs of average taper the 

 diameter of the larger log may be determined by taking the mean of the top and 

 butt diameters of the whole length by calipering, or by estimating with the aid of 

 a taper table. Greater lengths than 64 feet are scaled as three logs, making the 

 division as nearly equal as possible and in even feet. 



