2S0 FELLING AND CONVERSION. 



raising the butt-end of the log from the ground, as shown in 

 fig. 140 for two beasts, or tig. 141 for one. 



In most forests, sliding or dragging are the usual methods 

 employed for clearing the felling-area ; on slopes by men, and 

 on fairly level ground by animals. 



In the case of reproduction-areas, and especially those in 

 coniferous forests, dragging should be done only with great care, 

 and when there is sufficient snow on the ground. Dragging 

 injures young plants more than any other method, and greatly 

 exposes young conifers to attacks of weevils. It must, however, 

 often be employed even when the ground is free from snow, but 

 in such cases it is not sufficient to slide or drag the logs along 

 cleared tracks ; a pair of high wheels should also be used if 

 the ground is not too steep. Logs should always be rounded 

 at their butts when dragged or slid, as then they do less 

 damage. A log passing through young growth should never be 

 allowed to roll. 



Rollers or large split billets of wood may be placed in the 

 track, on which the log slides or is dragged ; in this way some 

 protection is aflbrded to the young growth. 



When the ground is not stocked with young growth, there 

 can be no objections to sliding or dragging timber from the 

 felling-area. 



iv. Sl('(hiiii;i. 



Sledges may be used for clearing the felling-area, and then 

 on frozen ground or temporary sledge-roads, as distinguished 

 from permanent sledge-roads, which will be described under 

 wood-transj)ort. 



(a) Construction of sledges.— The mode of construction of 

 ordinary wood-sledges may l)e seen from the annexed figures, 

 dififerent forms being used in various European countries and 

 districts, but it has not yet been decided which is the best form 

 to adopt under various circumstances. 



[Two forms of sledge are in use in the X. W. Himalayas for trans- 

 port of railway-sleepers and firewood, and have proved very useful. 

 As tlie oak runners of these sledges become worn, soles also of oak 

 are applied to them. — Th.] 



The requisites for a good sledge are lightness, strength, and 

 dimensions allowing for a load which one man can transport. 



