134 DOUGLAS FIR 



high value uses but merely makes good rough construction lum- 

 ber. For a long time, therefore, it was not cut at all and even 

 now is only shipped east when cut in special sizes of extra length 

 or width. Hence, the mill nm never averages better than $io 

 per M. 



Balsam is another low grade species the bulk of which must be 

 used locally for boxes, cheap finish and other purposes for which 

 a soft, weak wood which is not durable may be used. Its miU 

 run also averages about $io per M at the point of manufacture, 

 and this is true in spite of the fact that large sizes may be obtained. 



Larch commands a better figure because it is fairly hard and 

 much more durable. It can, therefore, be used for flooring, rail- 

 way ties, and general construction work. Its only fault is that it 

 is liable to spHt if cut into inch boards of over six inches in width. 

 Consequently all the clear lumber goes into flooring which is 

 always made in narrow widths. This brings up the average mill 

 run value to about $12 f.o.b. the mill. 



Logging costs in the Douglas fir present certain marked dif- 

 ferences from those in other types because the conditions to be 

 met are unique. FelUng and bucking are difiicult on account of 

 the large size of the timber. It is obvious that different methods 

 must be used with a tree containing 8 to 16 foot logs and five 

 feet in diameter at the top end of the first log than are employed 

 for ordinary sized trees. In the first place a spring board is com- 

 monly used to put the sawyers up above the root swelling. Then 

 the faUers need so much time to saw thru the tree that they do 

 none of the notching, but a head chopper takes over all this 

 work. Even the bucking is often done by special buckers by 

 contract or better yet the logs are hauled in to a steam saw in 

 as long lengths as possible and hand work thus eliminated in 

 this operation. But the situation has its relieving features. 

 The cost of felling and bucking are low per M because of the 

 large size of the trees. Where a single tree contains 5 to 10 M 

 feet it can readily be seen that the cost of felling and bucking will 

 be much less per M than for small trees. 



Ordinary skidding methods are likewise wholly inadequate. 

 Donkey engines are the only successful method by which suffi- 



