CROSS TIES 



287 



The Northern Pacific (see specifications) paid 38 cents apiece for the 

 fir and larch firsts and 28 cents apiece for the seconds. 





Photograph by Joyce-Wattlns Co. 



TIG. 76. Loading ties from barges to cars at Metropolis, 111. Large quantities of ties pro- 

 duced along the tributaries of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers are sent by barge or raft 

 to a convenient point for loading, inspection and acceptance by the railroad companies. 



Sawed Ties. 



The subject of sawed ties has been briefly touched upon from tune to 

 time in the above discussion. They constitute but a small portion of the 

 total number of ties produced (about 20 per cent) and are made chiefly 

 on the Pacific Coast of hearts of logs, where the most knots are found. 

 They bring from 32 to 40 cents per tie for Douglas fir or 60 to 70 cents 

 for white oak or more, depending upon such factors as species, specifica- 

 tions, etc. Very commonly they, are sold by the thousand board feet. 

 Switch ties, which are much longer, are practically always sawed and sold 

 by the thousand board feet. Knots do not detract from the value of a 

 tie if they are sound and not so placed as to lessen its strength or life. 



