METHODS OF FELLING. 



215 



v. Fdlinif Inj Means of an Electric Current. 



A thin platinum wire brought to a white heat by an electric 

 current may be used as a saw for felling trees, the wire being 

 stretched in a frame the handles of which are insulated. 

 Experiments* have thus been made on a large scale, the 

 stems being cut so deeply with the electrified wire that they 

 can be thrown by means of wedges. It is said that this 

 method takes one-eighth of the time required for sawing 

 down the tree. No sawdust is produced and the slight 

 charring preserves the wood. 



vi. Advantages and Disadvantages of the Different Methods. 



The characteristics of a good method of felling are, above 

 all, that it is not dangerous to the workmen ; that the tree is 



Fig. 144. Throwing a stem with levers. 



thrown accurately in the desired direction, the most impor- 

 tant silvicultural point in the felling ; then, that it wastes as 

 little wood as possible, and finally, that it involves the least 

 possible amount of labour. 



Experience has shown that felling by means of saw and 



* I'atent and technical bureau of Richard Bayer, Berlin. 



