212 FELLING AND CONVERSION OE TIMBER. 



distance over which the material has to he moved is nearly 

 the same in each case, so that all the parties may have about 

 the same amount of work to do. The lots should neither 

 be too small nor too narrow, or the men would be subject 

 to constant interruption by those of an adjoining lot. On 

 mountain slopes they are therefore placed side by side, run- 

 ning downhill. In such places it is often advisable to leave lots 

 between two parties unallotted on account of the danger of 

 accidents from falling trees, etc., work on these intermediate 

 lots being undertaken subsequently. 



Some lots may be reserved to be given afterwards to the 

 most industrious men, whom the manager wishes to keep 

 employed in the forest constantly. It is advisable to allow the 

 woodcutters themselves to distribute the lots amongst the 

 parties, so as to avoid all charges of partiality against the forest 

 manager. The allotment in clear-cuttings in high forest or 

 coppice is by area, lots being fixed by specially marking 

 border and corner trees. Standards over coppice are marked 

 with the forest-hammer or by rings of red or white paint, so 

 must mother-trees in natural regeneration areas. In France 

 each reserved standard is numbered, the numbers being cut 

 into the bark by a special blazing implement. In thinnings 

 each stem to be removed is marked by means of a tree- 

 scratcher, or timber-scribe, or a forest-hammer may be used 

 in the older crops. 



As regards the actual felling, it is clear that silvicultural 

 rules and those for giving the best outturn must be followed 

 by the men, so that the felling may be conducted with a care 

 for the trees and young plants which are allowed to remain on 

 the area, that the felled material is not wasted, and labour 

 is economised as much as possible. 



Here will be considered the different methods of felling 

 trees, their relative advantages and disadvantages, and the 

 general rules to be observed in the conduct of fellings. 



2. The different Modes of Fclliuy. 



The different modes of felling depend on the implements 

 used: they may be further distinguished as ; utilisation of 

 the stem, or of the roots and stump of a tree. 



