44 REDWOOD LUMBERING. 



find the choppers and sawyers numbering from five to eight, 

 according to the amount of logs to be got out during the 

 season. As a rule, the chopper goes into camp two or three 

 months in advance of the others, say as early as January. 

 In many districts they work all the winter months, or what 

 few days there are, while the balance of the crew have gone 

 to their homes or nearest settlement to pass the rainy season. 

 Many use axes having two blades, the helve being straight. 

 The advantage of this ax is, that when ground in the morn- 

 ing, the chopper is sure of a keen edge all day, without return- 

 ing to camp to use the grindstone in the event of one edge 

 being disqualified for use by accident. 



Within the past few years the felling of redwood trees has 

 been accomplished largely by the aid of saw and ax together. 

 This method, though at first appearing to be done at a dis- 

 advantage to the workman, is now generally adopted in 

 felling the large redwoods. 'When it is to be decided where 

 the tree is to be felled, a kerf is made by an ax on the side 

 it is intended it should fall, about one third of its diameter. 

 Then on the opposite side, and nearly as high as the top of 

 the ax kerf, the saw kerf is begun. To facilitate starting a 

 saw properly, two holes are bored horizontally into the tree, 

 about two inches deep; wooden pins are then driven in, on 

 which the saw rests until the kerf is sufficiently deep to steady 

 it. Broad and thin iron wedges are then driven in after the 

 saw into the kerf; this prevents the saw from pinching. 

 Saws for this purpose are from eight to twelve feet in length, 

 having cars at each end, secured by bolts, which can be 

 removed at pleasure. Should it be found that wedges can- 



