156 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



to obtain very high prices. From twelve to twenty dollars 

 per ton is usually paid. "When the expense of hauling it to 

 the camp is added, the whole cost is frequently as high as 

 thirty dollars a ton, and sometimes much higher. Owners of 

 timber lands at a distance from settlements may make a great 

 saving by clearing up a piece of their land and raising their 

 own hay. 



" Some one of the hands, who has not so much efficiency in 

 getting timber as skill in kneading bread and frying pork, is 

 appointed to the office of cook. Salt pork, flour, bread, and 

 tea constitute the regular routine of the meals, varied some- 

 times with salt fish or salt beef. Potatoes are used when they 

 can be obtained. Now and then, perhaps, when the snow is 

 deep, they catch a deer, and live on venison. 



" The men are employed through the day in cutting the tim- 

 ber and driving the teams. In the evening some take care of the 

 oxen ; some cut wood for the fire ; then they amuse themselves 

 with stories and singing, or in other ways, until they feel inclined 

 to turn in upon the universal bed. On Sundays the employer 

 claims no control over their time beyond the taking care of 

 the cattle, the fire, and the cooking. On this day they do their 

 washing and mending; some employ themselves besides in 

 seeking timber, and some in hunting partridges, while some 

 remain in the camp and read the Bible. 



" They remain in the woods from the commencement of sled- 

 ding, some time in December, until some time in March, in the 

 course of which month their labors are usually brought to a 

 close by the snow, it becoming too shallow or too deep. 

 If there are heavy thaws the snow runs off, not leaving enough 

 to make good hauling. If, on the other hand, it gets to be 

 four or five feet deep, the oxen cannot break through it to 

 make the path which it is necessary to form in order to get at 

 each individual tree. The men and teams then leave the 

 woods. Sometimes one or two remain, to be at hand when 

 the streams open. I know one who last winter staid by 

 himself in the woods fifteen or twenty miles from the nearest 

 habitation for the space of twenty-eight days, during which 

 time he earned $203 by getting in timber with his axe alone, 

 being allowed for it at the same rate per thousand that the 



