Forest Utilization 213 



the most crowded stands. The directions for this are 

 given under "thinnin: 



Do not cut too much. There are other winters coming. 



LOGGING 



Winter is the best time to log, especially for the farmer 

 who is busy \\ith his crops during the other parts of the 

 year. The snow and ice in the North, which make sleigh 

 hauling possible anywhere in the woods, and the freedom 

 from insects in all regions, make the winter months 

 preferable. The woodlots vary so greatly in size and in 

 the character of the timber that no definite scheme of log- 

 ging can be laid down. Only a few hints of general ap- 

 plication can be given. 



Felling 



A tree can be felled in almost any direction except 

 directly opposite to the way it is leaning, and even this 

 can often be accomplished by means of wedges if the tree 

 does not lean too much. First the direction of felling 

 should be chosen, so that there is no danger of its lodging, 

 being propped up by another tree, or damaging any 

 thrifty young growth. Care should also be taken that 

 the trunk does not fall across a rock or large log. This 

 will often break or shatter the trunk. It is, however, 

 well when pns-ililr to have the middle of the trunk sup- 

 port e< 1 i n some way so that the saw may not bind in cutting 

 the trunk into logs. On a steep hillside, tin- trees should 

 l>e thrown across the hill, not down it. The trunk is 

 then more easily " broken up," and is less likely to be 

 Im.l i 



