FLOATING. 401 



Whether it is preferable to float butts, or split billets, 

 depends on circumstances ; butts require a stronger current, 

 though in a floating-channel they are less liable to breakage 

 by boulders, etc., than billets, which require improved channels 

 with a moderate current. It is evident that light coniferous 

 butts are floated more easily than broadleaved ones ; also, 

 wherever carbonisation is effected with round pieces, as in 

 the Alps, they must be floated in that form. Butts for saw- 

 mills require stronger water than firewood, lengths of 3 to 4 

 meters (10 to 13 feet) being most suitable, although in Sweden, 

 butts are floated up to a length of 7 meters (23 feet). It is 

 often difficult to float heavy butts, especially of silver-fir, 

 unless they have been previously dried. 



The most important operation, before floating is undertaken, 

 is that of drying the wood, for the amount of water-logged 

 wood varies inversely with the comparative dryness of the 

 wood when launched. Wood felled in the growing season 

 dries more quickly than winter-felled wood, and is therefore 

 more easily floated. It is indispensable to dry thoroughly the 

 butts that are to be floated for long distances. 



It is especially requisite, from a consideration for the quality 

 of the wood, that butts felled and barked in the summer should 

 be removed from the felling-areas immediately after felling, 

 and deposited in airy depots, in order to become thoroughly 

 dried. If, then, during winter wood is brought to the side 

 of the floating-channel, not only does the drying process 

 improve its quality, but also facilitate the operation of 

 floating. 



(c) Conservancy of the Floating-channel. Before the 

 wood is thrown into the floating-channel, the condition of the 

 latter, and of the different works which have been constructed 

 to improve it, should be known. For this purpose, an inspec- 

 tion should be made, preferably with the co-operation of 

 riparian landowners, owners of saw-mills and other hydraulic 

 works along the floating-channel ; enquiry should then be 

 made into all claims for compensation for damage done 

 by the floating-gang, in order to prevent unfair excess in its 

 amount, and, if necessary, these claims should be settled by 

 arbitration or the law-courts. This inspection should, if 



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