221 FELLlNf; AND CONVERSIOX. 



oftcu the case in March with heech. Wherever the lop^s are to 

 ho slipped down steep inclines, and the workmen are not 

 particularly trustworthy as regards protection of undergrowth, 

 these fellings may he delayed till there has been a heavy fall of 

 snow, or they should be eliected in open weather, and not during 

 frosts. 



Clear-cuttings in coniferous forests are not undertaken until 

 all the more urgent natural regeneration-fellings have been 

 undertaken or are nearly concluded. Then thinnings or pre- 

 paratory fellings may also be carried out in old woods. Thinnings 

 in young woods and cleanings end the series, and are often done 

 during the autumn. 



It is better to begin winter-fellings with the large trees, and on 

 felling-areas where these are numerous, and then to proceed with 

 the conversion of firewood. Supervision is thus facilitated, and 

 the heavy pieces are soonest removed from the forest. 



In very large forest ranges richly stocked with old wood, the 

 manager may be satisfied if the more important fellings are done 

 during winter, and in summer all wood worked-out which is 

 broken by snow or wind or dead from other causes. Wherever 

 summer-felling prevails, all the labour-force is engaged in 

 transport during the winter. 



Summer -fellings begin, according to the locality, in April or May, 

 as soon as snow and frost permit and the labour-force which has 

 been occupied in transport during winter is available. Where the 

 men are engaged during summer in charcoal-making or other 

 employments, or where with a view to the quality of the wood, it 

 is desirable not to fell the trees in full sap (Jul}' — August), these 

 fellings should be suspended till September, and continued as 

 long as the weather is favourable. The work is then so 

 arranged that reproduction-fellings and fellings of valuable 

 timber-trees are eflected as early as possible, so that they may be 

 finished before the buds shoot. The underwood is then highly 

 elastic and suffers least from abrasion, whilst the logs can be 

 barked and preserve their esteemed white colour. 



Later-on, after the season of vegetation has commenced, fire- 

 wood trees and other inferior sorts are felled, and the felling of 

 whatever valuable trees were not felled before their sprouting, will 

 then be deferred till September. 



