288 fellint; and conversion. 



iii. Slidiii;! tiinhcr. 



This is the method of allowiuj^' logs and butts to slide down- 

 hill by their own weight. Their butt-ends are rounded and 

 turned down-hill. Any depressions in the hill-side are speedily 

 filled with butts and logs, and the workmen try to keep these 

 lying parallel to one another in the direction of the greatest 

 slope, so as to assist the other logs in sliding over them. 



This method is largely employed in the Austrian Alps, and in 

 Francouia. Wherever on the hill-side the gradient of the slope 

 is insufficient for any further shooting of the logs to be done, 

 they are turned at right angles to their previous direction and 

 rolled by means of the krempe to the next steep slope, where 

 sliding can be recommenced. This method is illustrated in 

 figs. 151, 152, the fall in either case being from the top of the 

 diagram. 



iv. Dry timber Chutes. 



These are narrow ravines among mountains, with steei? sides, 

 and are barred by means of a horizontal log, behind which a 

 number of short, round logs are collected and let loose down the 

 ravine by cutting away one end of the bar. This method of 

 removal is employed in the Alps, for short distances, where there 

 are ravines suitable for the purpose, and other methods of removal 

 are too difficult. 



In some cases the bed of the ravine contains a mountain- tor- 

 rent which may be temporarily dammed, until there is a 

 sufficient head of water to carry the logs down, when the dam is 

 released. This is termed a wet timber chute. 



Evidently, wherever timber is left to full downhill by its own 

 weight, and without being under the control of the workmen, 

 much breakage and loss of bulk by friction must ensue ; so that 

 these methods will be adopted only where more careful methods 

 are impracticable or too expensive. 



G. Season for Clrarliiii the FeUiiui-area. 



The season for clearing a felling-area depends on that of the 

 felling, and on the mode of removal employed, as well as on the 

 subsequent transport of the timber, and the available labour-force. 



