SEASON" FOR FELLING. 219 



the pole is moved forward by means of a winch, and he states 

 that this gives 8 to 10 times the pressure of the original 

 arrangement. 



Ordinary screw-jacks (fig. 118), are also used with advantage, 

 as in the Schwarzwald, for uprooting trees and stumps. Re- 

 cently, in Wiirttemherg, a portable windlass has been used 

 with good results both for uprooting trees and stumps, and for 

 dragging loads of timber up steep inclines. Provided that 

 the cost of working it is not too great, its use is to be recom- 

 mended on account of its great power and adaptability. 



Section III. — Season foe Felling. 



The proper season for felling depends on several circumstances, 

 of which the most important are, — the climatic conditions, 

 available labour-force, mode of felling, technical quality of the 

 outturn, and species of tree, besides some other special points 

 depending on particular cases. 



1. Climatic Conditions. 



These are in man}" regions the most important of all the cir- 

 cumstances which determine the season for felling ; for where the 

 winter is severe and the fall of snow heavy and lasting, so that 

 outdoor Avork has to stop, as in most high mountain districts and 

 in many localities only moderately elevated, forest work during 

 winter may be impossible. In case fellings cannot be carried on 

 during winter, transport by means of sledges, which is facilitated 

 by the snow, may be effected. In high mountain regions, there- 

 fore, transport of timber and firewood is the chief occupation 

 during winter. In plains and low hills the severity of winter 

 rarely interferes with the work of felling, which is generally con- 

 tinued uninterruptedly during this season. 



2. Availahlc Lahour-Force. 



In most districts labour is more abundant in winter than in 

 summer, when agriculture ofiers constant employment. In case, 

 therefore, other stronger reasons to the contrary do not exist, 

 forest management is interested in utilizing the otherwise 

 unemployed winter labour-force. 



