UTILIZATION, LOGGING, AND LOCAL SPECIFICATIONS 201 



Utilization, Logging, and Local Specifications. — The trees from early 

 thinnings which range from about 6.5 to 12 feet in length and from 3 to 4 

 inches in diameter up are utilized for mine props. They are peeled when 

 intended for use in the coal mines of France, and left with bark on for 

 export to England. Props are also taken from the tops of mature trees 

 cut for lumber. 



Later thinnings are utilized for props or sawlogs and so far as possible 

 for telegraph poles. These poles range from 26 to 49 feet in length; first- 

 class poles must have a diameter inside bark of 6 inches at 3.3 feet from 

 the butt and 4.5 inches at the top; and the second-class poles, 10.5 inches 

 3.3 feet from the butt and 4.5 inches at the tops. All poles are peeled in 

 the woods. 



In cutting saw timber the felling is done with saws, and the logs are 

 immediately bucked into lengths of 6.5 to 13 feet; 9 feet is the usual 

 length. These short lengths are to eliminate crooks and to make hand- 

 ling easier. The logs are then peeled, since after seasoning they are far 

 easier to handle. The bark left on the ground also serves to build up 

 the soil. Logging is done with two-wheeled mule carts, the logs being 

 lifted by hand into the carts, the tires of the wheels are wide enough to 

 permit their use on sandy roads. 



Many of the sawmills are stationary and are located on the railroads. 

 Logs are hauled to these sawmills for considerable distances on the met- 

 alled roads with the same conveyances. However, because the coupes 

 are usually small, the bulk of the lumber cut in the Landes is produced 

 by small portable band mills that are set in the middle of the tract to 

 be cut. The lumber is then hauled to the station in mule carts. These 

 small band mills are quickly moved from one site to another, and their 

 adaptation for use under similar conditions in America seems desirable. 

 A large part of the production of such mills consists of sawed railroad 

 ties. 



The following is a summary of the specifications of wood products cut 

 from maritime pine: 



Telegraph poles. — 23 to 39 feet in length and up to 39 inches in diameter inside 

 bark, 4 inches. 



Piling. — All lengths minimum diameter at the small end, 13 inches. 



Box boards. — 6.5 to 7.7 feet in length and 8 to 12 inches in width, 0.4 to 0.8 of an 

 inch thick. 



Flooring. — Length variable, width 3.1 to 5.9 inches, and thickness 1.1 inches. 



Beams (Grosse Charpente). — Length from 13 feet up by 9.8 to 12.6 by 7.1 to 7.8 

 inches. 



Joists. — Length from 9.8 feet up and 7.1 to 7.8 inches by 3.9 to 4.3 square. 



Charcoal. — Usually sold in lO-barrel lots (barrel of 300 quarts). 



Ordinary fire wood. — Length 3.3 feet with sale unit a stack 3.3 feet long on the base 

 by 4.4 high. 



Lath, etc. — Miscellaneous dimensions. 



