HARVESTING THE PRODUCTS OF THE WOODLOT 157 



edges of the log are beveled off or "nosed" to prevent them 

 catching on stones or roots. Sometimes when there is snow 

 the end of the log or of several logs are raised on a single 

 sled and chained fast, the other ends dragging on the ground. 

 The logs are skidded out to the road and either piled on skid- 

 ways, from which they are rolled on to the wagons or sleds, 

 or they are loaded from the ground. In this case two stout 

 poles or skids are cut from the woods and laid against the 

 side of the wagon or sled, and the logs rolled up them by 

 means of a chain fastened to the wagon, passed under and 

 over the log and back over the wagon to the horses. When 

 the sled or wagon is loaded the logs are held in place by a chain 

 and hauled out to the mill. 



After the logs have been removed the rest of the tree 

 should be manufactured into cordwood, fence posts or ties. 

 All the tree of any value for sale or for use on the farm 

 should be utilized in some way. Where there is danger from 

 fire the branches should be piled and later on burned before 

 the dry season begins. 



CARE NEEDED IN CUTTING TREES FROM THE WOODLOT 



The removal of a tree from the woodlot naturally causes 

 considerable damage to surrounding trees and especially to 

 the young trees and seedlings. Some damage cannot be helped, 

 but it can be reduced to a minimum by proper care as to the 

 direction the tree is to fall. With the use of a wedge a tree 

 can be caused to fall in any desired direction, unless it is a 

 badly leaning tree. It should be made to fall so that the 

 crown will slip between the crowns of other trees so as not 

 to break them. It should fall away from valuable young 

 growth and if possible toward an open space. When a tree 

 is to be felled it is usual to cut away all the young growth, 

 seedlings and saplings, about the tree, so they will not inter- 

 fere with the free swing of the ax. The ax is a dangerous 



