WINTER LOGGING. 



HOW LOGS ARE CONVEYED FROM THE 

 STUMP TO THE STREAM IN OUR NORTHERN 

 WOODS FROST AND SNOW AS FACTORS. 



BY 



ROBERT V. R. REYNOLDS. 



N ( ,TK. For the accompanying illustrations of northern logging sleds we are indebted to 

 the Eau Claire Mill Supply Company of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. EDITOR. 



FROST and snow are good friends to any desirable hardwood which may be 



the northern lumberman. Until on their land ; or if a logging road is 



nt years it was quite impossible for already established which nearly con- 



liim to carry on logging operations in nects the desired points, they may be 



an economical way without their power- able to extend it according to their 



ful aid. Since the introduction of the needs and contract for its partial use. 



steam logging railway the lumberman If a good driving stream is near by, they 



is not as dependent as formerly upon will probably save the timber nearest it 



winter conditions, since he now can haul to send out by driving in the spring, 

 his logs at any time of the year; but it If the timber land is not extensive, its 



is safe to say that as long as logs can owners will rely entirely upon driving 



be driven down the northern streams at to get it to the mill. Any other case 



comparatively small expense, the first cannot be supposed ; otherwise they 



heavy fall of snow will be eagerly would not have bought the timber. A 



looked for and welcomed in the woods means of transportation is the first thing 



of the states where the northern pines to be considered. 



grow. They have, then, say, a half dozen 

 Its habitat, as well as its valuable forties of pine two or three miles from 

 qualities, has helped to bring misfor- the driving stream, on which, 30 miles 

 tune to the White Pine. Not only below, the mill is located, either at the 

 does it grow straight and tall and clean head of a navigable water or on some 

 of bole, float like cork, and work read- permanent railway line, from which a 

 ily under the carpenter's tools, but it switch runs into the yards, 

 must needs plant its roots where for a The superintendent lays his plans and 

 third of every }*ear the heavens them- does all the preliminary work possible 

 selves provide material for well nigh during the summer and early fall. His 

 frictionless roads, which reduce to a object is to haul the logs from the cut- 

 minimum the expense of transporting tings and pile them upon the ice of the 

 the log to the saw. frozen stream and along its banks with 

 Let us suppose a case of a lumber the least possible expenditure of power, 

 m which has bought pine stumpage both of men and horses. Wasted power 

 a new place and desires to market means loss of time, and tim is the 



If the timber holdings are equivalent of money to him. 

 xtensive and valuable and the In the first place, he may have to 



5 able to expend $50,000 to clear the snags, rocks, or sunken logs 



,000 on transportation, they will from the bed of the stream to prevent 



light railway from the timber to trouble from jams during the drive. 



unless there is a very good Next he selects a "banking" place 



stream near by A railroad on the liver as near as possible to the 



them independent of the sea- cuttings. This must be a place where 



also admits of bringing out thick and solid ice will form, extending 



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