RIVER-DEPOTS. 



431 



which can be locked. The arrangement of the wood is done 

 in a way similar to that in river- depots, which will be now 

 described. 



2. River -depots. 



A large number of depots are used for storing wood after 

 transport by water, and then arrangements are required differ- 

 ing from those described under 

 "Land -transport," especially 

 after the wood has been floated. 



The necessary characteristics 

 of a good river- depot are : 

 immediate proximity to the 

 floating-channel ; a site 

 thoroughly exposed to air and 

 wind ; the soil formed of sand, 

 gravel or boulders to a depth 

 of at least half a meter (1 

 feet) otherwise it should be 

 paved with large stones ; eleva- 

 tion of a few yards above the 

 highest flood-level of the 

 stream, or in case the depot 

 is so arranged that the wood 

 lands itself, a sufficient fall in 

 the different basins of the depot, 

 that are separated by sluice- 

 gates. In many cases it is also 

 necessary to include protective 

 works against floods, which will 

 be described further on. 



Wherever only a little wood is floated and labour is plentiful, 

 generally a sloping bank of the stream above the boom, if 

 otherwise suitable, is selected, on which the wood is landed. 

 As then all the wood must be dragged from the stream, and 

 many men employed simultaneously, the depot should extend 

 for some distance along the river-bank and its breadth be 

 reduced to a minimum, allowing sufficient room for storing 

 and removing the timber. 



-i.///, ///.' River-depot. 

 <t, b Rivers, c, c Floating 

 canals. 



