FOREST UTILIZATION 21 



it is fastened anew, after stopping the log, to a tree lower 

 down on the slope. The best slope is about 35%. 

 Snaking logs or skidding logs. 



I. Attachment by chains 12 to 16 feet long and 1/3. inch 

 to Yz inch thick ending in dogs. When a chain 

 link breaks, a "cold- shut" is put in its place (cost 

 $3 per 100 for ^-inch chain). For smaller logs 

 skidding tongs are used in place of dogs, at- 

 tached to main chain by three rings, swivel and 

 hook, and costing, per dozen, about $50. 

 In the case of horses, stretchers are used to prevent 



the traces from hurting their legs. 

 On muddy soil, the nose of the log is frequently 



placed on a tray, or a lizard, or a triangle. 

 Snaking dogs are usually hand made and should be 

 driven by a maul. Plain points on dogs seem to 

 be preferred. Logging dogs 10 inches to 12 inches 

 long are quoted at $15 per dozen. 



II. Animals. For long distance hauling, mules or horses 

 are preferred to oxen. Ox harness is rarely used. 

 In the South three yokes form a "team" usually, 

 the chains running from yoke to yoke. Leaders 

 (oxen) require special training. The teamster 

 manages the yokes of oxen by shouting, applying 

 the whip as little. as possible. 

 III. Roads for skidding or snaking. 



(a) Uphill grades must be strictly avoided; even 



level stretches are disastrous. The grade de- 

 pends on the season of usage. Where ice 

 \ and snow are available i% or 2% are ample. 



On dry rocky ground 50% is the maximum. 

 On the average, for "Biltmore" conditions, 

 20% seems best. 



(b) Curves must be strictly avoided, especially 



"inside curves" skirting a gully. Herein lies 

 the greatest difficulty of snaking road build- 

 ing in sections where the mountain slopes 

 are deeply gullied. 



(c) In the Appalachians the surface of the road. 



is 2 l / 2 to 3^2 feet wide and road poles laid 

 on the valley side prevent the logs from 

 jumping the road. 



Swampy and moist places are corduroyed 

 lengthwise with the road. Creeks must be 

 bridged. It must be kept in mind that one 

 bad spot in a snaking road requires the use 

 of additional teams over the entire length of 

 road. 



