FELLING AND CONVERSION OF TIMBER. 



after removal of their end-pieces, be further shortened, and 

 this is also the case with sound oakwood, even if not quite 

 straight. In such cases, the longer the log the more valuable 

 it will be. But as regards coniferous wood further considera- 

 tion is necessary. Logs in the Schwartz wald and elsewhere 

 are sold by the length and the diameter of their smaller 

 ends ; this should .be the universal rule with coniferous 

 timber. In such cases, the best place for removing the end of 

 a log is where the small-end diameter approaches as nearly as 

 possible to the minimum admissible. This is rarely less than 

 6 inches for logs, and it may be laid down as a general rule, 

 that the small-end diameter of a log should be one-third of 

 that at its base. 



Formerly coniferous logs were sold usually by their cubic 

 contents calculated from their length and mid-girth, but 

 recently this measure is being abandoned for that of their 

 length and small-end diameter. In such cases the measuring 

 of the mid-diameter serves only to calculate the cubic 

 contents. 



(c) Demands of the Market. There are districts where long 

 logs are not in demand, but butts for sawmills are preferred, 

 and the finest spruce-logs are cut into suitable lengths for the 

 neighbouring sawmills ; where fine, straight oak stems must be 

 cut into short lengths for staves, and so on. In other dis- 

 tricts long logs are required for floating. In such cases, the 

 custom of the trade must be followed in converting the timber. 

 It should also be considered whether, or not, the customs of 

 the market are stable, the former being frequently the case in 

 districts richly supplied with sawmills, and more so with coni- 

 ferous than with broadleaved wood. In other cases, and especi- 

 ally with oak-timber, the demands of the market are very 

 variable, depending on a good vintage, on large imports of 

 foreign timber, etc. It is then prudent to cut the logs as long- 

 as possible, provided they are sound. 



In other districts, where timber is used chiefly for local pur- 

 poses and both short and long logs are wanted, it is better to 

 cut one or two butts for sawmills from the base of the stems 

 and retain the remainder as long as possible for building pur- 

 poses. A prevalent demand for long logs will occasionally 



