8 Forest Club Annual 



1. Cutting. 



2. Skidding. 



3. Logging. 



4. Roads ; logging and lumber roads. 



5. Sawing. 



6. Planing and seasoning. 



7. Hauling. 



8. Loading. 



9. Brush piling. 

 10. Freight 



In this discussion these items of cost will be considered 

 as being affected by other varying factors. 



GENERAL CONDITIONS. 



Cost of operating in different localities is affected princi- 

 pally by the remoteness of the tract from settlement, by climatic 

 conditions and by cost of labor. 



If the timber is situated far from settlement, the cost of 

 operating is increased by the greater cost of food-stuffs, feed 

 and equipment that is occasioned by the long haul. The cost 

 is also increased on account of the difficulty in securing men, 

 because as a general rule they prefer to work nearer towns, 

 and so increased wages must often be paid to hold them. If 

 the timber is at high elevations where the snow fall is heavy, 

 the cost is increased on account of the necessity of operating in 

 deep snow or closing operations for several months until the 

 snow has melted. Both of these hardships increase cost great- 

 ly, since deep snow necessitates digging around the trees in 

 order to cut the stumps low and adds cost in the trimming 

 and the sectioning of trees. Cost of brush piling, skidding, 

 logging and hauling are also increased on account of snow. 



If the lumberman takes the alternative of stopping opera- 

 tions during winter months, which is usually done in the more 

 snowy regions from about February 1 to June 15, he usually 

 loses because the money invested in equipment is bringing no 

 returns, and the horses must be fed during an idle season. 

 If the necessary labor is available and the operator has the 

 capital he can prevent this loss by banking logs during the 

 summer and fall for winter sawing. 



In Forest Service contracts no distinction in cost is made 

 for the various factors affecting the manufacture of different 

 species. Engelmann Spruce and Lodgepole Pine are more easily 

 cut, sawn and hauled than are Douglas Fir and Western Yellow 

 Pine, but there is more brush to be trimmed and the trees are 

 smaller, so the cost is about equalized. The lowest prices for 





