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AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE OF TEXAS. 



In preparing these estimates it was found that the log run averaged 

 only from three to four inches center diameter by three feet in straight, 

 clear length. A fairly large number of logs, however, from six to eight 

 feet long in the smaller diameter classes and from two to three feet 

 long in the larger diameter classes, were tallied. The short log lengths 

 are due to excessive crook; even the main stems would not permit of 

 cutting long logs. 



PRESENT LOGGING AND MILLING METHODS. 



At present practically no effort is made to log or mill mesquite. The 

 timber is considered of too little value to warrant the labor involved 

 in sawing it. Practically the only raw material secured is where new 

 lands are in the process of clearing. The trees are grubbed out of the 

 ground, the work being paid for on an acre basis. The large limbs 

 and branches are utilized for fence posts and fuel ; the trunks are burned 

 in the field. As labor is cheap such clearing is not an expensive process. 



Two small mills, more of the planing rather than the sawing type, 

 are located at Batesville, Zavala County, ten miles from the railroad, 

 and at Fowlerton, LaSalle County. The mill at Fowlerton cuts small 

 timber to fill local orders for mesquite novelties, which are turned and 

 made in the plant. The raw material received is in the shape of cord- 

 wood of the larger sizes. The mill at Batesville is about of the same type 

 but was not in operation at the time of the examination. Cordwood 

 sawing is practically unthought of as the wood is so brittle that the 

 small sizes of the sticks used can be broken more easily than sawed. 



PROPOSED LOGGING AND MILLING METHODS. 



Areas of suitable timber should be logged systematically, since it is 

 obvious that grubbing out the trees in intermittent clearing operations, 

 which is the present source of mesquite wood, cannot furnish sufficient 

 raw material to enable a mill to run continuously. Locally the belief 

 prevails that in logging mesquite it is not practicable to saw the timber. 

 Experience in other regions where hardwoods comparable to mesquite 

 are cut, however, shows this method to be entirely feasible. A change 

 in the class of material utilized is also necessary. Only the branches 

 and other small material are now used. All logs which measure at 

 least two inches in diameter at the center and two feet in straight, clear 



