Timber Measuring 269 



is that 9 in. by 4 in., with stiff pasteboard covers, ruled with 

 horizontal lines, and divided into four vertical columns. 

 To measure proceed as follows : Mark a number with the 

 scribe on the butt end of the tree, and enter a similar number 

 in the first column of the book ; this will not only serve to 

 identify the particular log, but prevent any risk of measur- 

 ing twice. Should the taper throughout the whole length 

 of the tree be tolerably gradual, set down the length in the 

 second column of the book, opposite the number already 

 entered. At exactly one-half of the length of the portion 

 measured, take the girth by passing the girt-strap tightly 

 around the stem. Put this down in the third column on 

 the same horizontal line as the number and length. Should, 

 however, the trunk taper not be fairly uniform throughout 

 the entire length, as frequently happens, several measure- 

 ments may require to be taken. 



For example, a tree may be 36 ft. in length, running with 

 regular taper for perhaps 12 ft., after which it branches out, 

 reducing the size of the remaining part very considerably 

 for, say another 12 ft., where it again branches and leaves 

 the last 12 ft. of a relatively small size. With such a tree 

 it would be quite impossible to obtain anything like a 

 correct measurement by taking only one length and girth. 

 The difficulty is, however, readily got over by first measur- 

 ing the lower 12 ft., then the second, and then the third, 

 marking the respective lengths and girths in the vertical 

 columns as already described. 



The measurement of these trees, so far as the field work 

 is concerned, is now completed, the contents of each tree 

 being found by referring to " Hoppus's Measurer " a 

 book with which every forester should be supplied. By 

 squaring the quarter- girth in inches, multiplying by the 

 length in feet, and dividing by 144, the same result will be 

 obtained. This is, however, a tedious method, especially 

 where large numbers of trees have to be dealt with, and 

 should only be adopted when Hoppus is not at hand. 



By committing to memory the following short table 

 of quarter-girths much time in calculating and consulting 

 authorities will be saved. 



