46 METHODS OF COMMUNICATION FOR FOREST PROTECTION 



ing crews. Much time will be saved' if the ^-mile points (or J-mile points) at which 

 coils of wire are to be left are marked in advance of the teams or pack-horses. Use a 

 blaze with a red cross or some other distinctive mark. 



It will often be necessary to pack the wire on horses. The maximum load for 

 one horse under best conditions is two 4-mile coils of No. 9 wire (weight 104: pounds 

 each) and under poor conditions, one i-mile coil (weight 157 pounds). Single coils 

 may be packed on a horse in several ways, but the following method is suggested : 

 Run a cross-stick lengthwise between the cross-trees on the pack-saddle, tying each 

 end securely. Then split the coil of wire in half and place it over the top of the stick 

 connecting the cross-trees, so that one-half of the coil is on each side of the saddle. 

 Finally, throw a diamond hitch over the whole. 



1 MOBLEY WIRE-CRADLE. 



A still better method adapted to packing either one or two coils is to use a pack- 

 ing-cradle such as the one designed by Ranger Mobley of the Forestry Branch. Thi? 

 cradle (Fig. 7) consists of a rectangular wooden frame built to fit snugly over the 

 forks of the pack-saddle. The front and near pieces project a few inches beyond the 

 sides and two pieces of strap-iron with upturned ends are so placed as to hold the side 

 coils in place. In packing two coils, one is hung on each side of the horse on the pro- 

 jecting ends of the cradle and then lashed on with a diamond hitch. When packing 

 one coil it is laid flat on the top of the cradle and lashed in place. This cradle is par- 

 ticularly handy when distributing coils along the line, since it is equally convenient 

 for packing either one or two coils (Figs. 5 and 6). For packing heavy coils of wire 

 on men's backs the Klondike pack-frame shown in Fig. 8 is an unusually effective 

 device. f 



Section 50 Organization and Equipment of Construction Crews. 



The foreman will be responsible for the work on the line in accordance with the 

 instructions he receives. Whenever possible he should be a forest officer, carefully 

 selected for his experience in telephone construction and in (handling men. The size 

 of the crew will depend upon the extent of the work, the qualifications of the indi- 

 vidual members, and the time available for completion. 



A crew may consist of a foreman, one ground assistant, two linemen, one utility 

 man (swamper and lineman), and, if necessary, a cook. If more speed is desired, one 

 or two additional linemen may be employed, provided arrangement is made to 

 " swamp " the line and distribute materials with sufficient rapidity, to do which may 

 require one or two additional groundmen. Which members of the crew will dig the 

 holes, which distribute ttoe material, and which erect the poles will be determined by 

 local conditions. 



Each man employed in digging holes for poles should foe provided with: 

 One 7-ft. shovel, Western Union pattern. 

 One medium weight, straight-handled, flat-toed, spoon, Western Union pattern, 7-ft. 



handle. 

 . One 1-in. by 8-ft. octagon steel digging bar. 



In sand or other easy digging a post-hole auger can often be used to advantage. 



Each lineman on tree lines should be provided with the following equipments-- 

 One combination wire-and-sleeve splicing-clamp. This is of the reversible type, one side 



being used for Mclntyre sleeves and the other for Western Union connection. 

 One pair 8-in. linemen's pliers. 

 One pair of Eastern climbers, with straps. These run from 14 to 19-in. in length by 



1-in. intervals. 

 One belt and safety strap. 

 One hand-axe. 

 One bag insulators and tie wires. 



A construction crew on pole-line work should also be provided with : 



Two Buffalo grips. 



One Haven's steel clamp. 



One 3-in. double-pulley block (with one hook). 



One 3-in. double-pulley block (with hook and eye). 



Thirty-five ft. g-in. sash cord. 



