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PART II. USE OF TIMBER 



172. The discussion of our timber supply falls into two 

 main parts. One is the production of future crops, and this 

 has been discussed in Part I. The other is the preparation 

 and use of the crops on hand or which may be produced 

 hereafter; Part II deals with this second division of the sub- 

 ject. 



CHAPTER I. SAW MILLS ON THE FARM 



173. There are a great many farms in Georgia with 

 enough timber on them to make it practicable to have a saw 

 mill on them. It is desirable to have a saw mill on the farm 

 for several reasons. One reason is that it gives the farmer 

 control of the operation. He can make it fit the condition of 

 his timber. He can study his timber and cut it when it is 

 ripe. If he has the cutting and sawing done by contract, he 

 cannot have the same control. The work is done by men 

 who have no permanent interest in the place, whose only in- 

 terest is to get what they can out of it and go. In some cases 

 he has to cut timber before it is ripe; and in others he has to 

 let it deteoriate, because there is not enough of it to induce 

 a contractor to come. 



174. Another reason why it is desirable to have a saw 

 mill on the farm is that it enables the farmer to keep his 

 hands and stock busy when it is hard to find anything for 

 them to do. There are many days in the year when it is wet 

 or unseasonable for work in the fields, which can be turned 

 to good account in the woods or at the saw mill. 



175. Another reason is that it tends to build up the 

 place. Improvements and repairs are easier to make if the 



