422 THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



in all likelihood the engine may be sufficient for all ordinary purposes. 

 This is presuming that only an annual and limited amount of work is 

 done ; but of course if there be a constant amount of work in one or 

 other of the departments of sawing, stone-breaking, &c., then an extra 

 power will have to be got accordingly. 



If the general mass of the timber lies somewhat close together, and 

 there is not any necessity for the removal of the sawing power, then 

 I should recommend the use of a fixed power. As a rule, a fixed 

 steam-power can be erected at a much lower cost than a portable one, 

 the horse-power being equal. 



In a great many instances, however, it will be found advantageous 

 to have a portable engine and sawing apparatus the engine in this case 

 to be a locomotive, as it is a great drawback to employ horses in the 

 removal of it. 



Where there is any considerable extent of land under wood, it will be 

 of very great use to have an adequate sawing power on the estate. 

 When the timber has to be removed and sent away to a distance in its 

 rough state, there is a large amount of rough timber, bark, and outside 

 slabs taken away at great expense in the carriage. This can be obviated 

 by having the timber manufactured on the spot into whatever it may 

 be suitable for, when all the unsaleable timber can be left and only 

 the valuable and saleable timber sent ; and besides, a great amount of 

 small timber, which would be otherwise useless, can be turned to many 

 useful purposes. 



The cost of sawing apparatus, of course, varies with the kinds of power 

 used and the strength of power required. The cost of fixing up a saw- 

 mill, including sheds, machinery, saws, water-wheel, &c., will range from 

 300 to 800. One of fifteen-horse power may be erected under ordi- 

 nary circumstances for 400 ; one of equal power, with steam-engine, 

 will cost fully 150 more. It is taken for granted that good substantial 

 sheds are erected ; if temporary wooden sheds are put up, as is very often 

 the case, then the cost at first will be less. 



On many estates where the plantations are not extensive, and where it 

 is often requisite to have the thinnings sawn up into fencing and other 

 purposes for general estate use, it would be found advantageous to use 

 a small saw-bench of the kind shown in fig. 125. 



We have had one of these in use on this estate for some years, and 

 find it very useful for the purposes named. 



Being portable, we have a sleigh made for it to stand upon, when it 

 can be removed to any part of the property by a single horse. As the 

 motive-power for driving it, we usually employ an engine used in the 

 district for thrashing purposes. This we get at a fixed rate per day, or 



