PRACTICAL FORESTRY. *i Gu/1 



ever, we may state that about one-and-a-half cords of wood 

 go to the ton of firewood, thus making the cost of preparing 

 and housing the latter about 10s. The lowest price at which 

 we have sold a ton weight fresh cut was 8s., but 10s. is 

 nearer the usual price, or about one-half of what is 

 generally obtained for firewood. The cartage of this ton ol 

 wood cannot be less than 3s. Kuch depends upon distance, 

 no doubt, but it is usually delivered within a radius of two 

 miles for the price quoted. 



The whole matter, therefore, stands something like this : 

 Lowest cost of a ton of wood, 8s. ; catting same into fire- 

 wood and stacking, 8s. ; cost of delivery, 3s. total, 19s. 



It will thus be seen that the difference in price between 

 a ton of firewood and one of coal is inconsiderable, and every- 

 one knows which of the two as fuel lasts the longest and 

 imparts the greatest amount of heat, 



Of course, where the firewood is cut up during wet weather 

 by the estate workmen and consumed on the estate, the 

 matter will stand somewhat differently, the two principal 

 items, the cost of preparing and cutting both of which can 

 be done as by-work being considerably diminished. Then, 

 in districts where the firewood cannot readily be sold, and 

 would only rot in the woods, it is wise policy to have it cut 

 into firewood, not only for the saving of the coal bill, but for 

 the health of the plantations as well. 



In mining districts, or on the outskirts of large towns, 

 there is usually little difficulty in getting rid of all surplus 

 wood for firing and other purposes, but it is in thinly-popu- 

 lated, outlying parts of the country, and where the cost of 

 transit is excessive, that the actual difference between a ton 

 of coal and one of firewood has to be considered. 



(2.) Charcoal. The chief uses of charcoal in this country 

 are in the manufacture of gun and blasting powders, for heat- 

 ing hall-stoves, cooking, boiling preserves, the smelting of 

 iron, and as a filtering and deodorising agent. It, likewise, 

 occupies an important place in the making of black paint, 

 ink, ivory and lamp black, and as a horticultural requisite in 

 the packing of bulbs and for potting purposes. In the manu- 

 facture of gunpowder, for which a highly-inflammable quality 



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