METHODS OF FELLING. 



229 



V. Felling hij Means of an Electric Current. 



A thin metallic wire brought to a white heat by an electric 

 current may be used as a saw for felling trees, the wire being 

 stretched in a frame the handles of which are isolated. Experi- 

 ments* have thus been made on a large scale, the stems being 

 cut so deeply with the electrified wire that they can be thrown 

 by means of wedges. A longer experience will show whether or 

 not this method can be applied practically to forest work. 



vi. Advantages and Disadrantaries of the Different Metliexls. 



The characteristics of a good method of felling are, above all, 

 that it is not dangerous for the workmen; that the tree is 

 thrown accurately in the desired direction, the most important 

 sylvicultural point in the felling ; then, that it wastes as little 



Fig. 1-21. 



wood as possible, and finally, that it involves the least possible 

 amount of labour. 



Experience has shown that felling by means of saw and 

 axe combined, with the help of wedges, is the best of all 

 methods, for in no other way can the tree be so accurately 



* Patent and technical bureau of Richard Baj-er, Berlin. 



