52 THE WESTERN HEMLOCK. 



Table 22. — Yield of bark per acre froai pure seamd-ijroivtJi Hemlock. 



Toward the upper limit of the Hemlock, seldom below 2,400 feet 

 above sea level, its bark often strikingly differs from that of the tree 

 at lower elevations. It is exceedingly thick, often 2 inches, and is 

 deeply furrowed. (See PI. XII.) No volume or yield tables were 

 made for this upland form, but it is probable that trees would contain 

 twice as much bark as those of corresponding size at lower elevations. 



HARVESTING. 



In the East, where the methods of harvesting bark have developed 

 into an established process, the usual peeling season extends from May 

 to August, although the bark peels easiest from the first of June to 

 the middle of July. Where bark alone is the object, a peeling crew 

 consists of three men — faller, fitter, and spudder; but where the cut- 

 ting is primarily for lumber, the first might be considered one of the 

 logging crew. The fitter trims off branches, rings the bark at inter- 

 vals of tt feet, and slits each section lengthwise. The spudder peels 

 the bark with a flattened bar and spreads it on the ground with the 

 flesh, or inner side, up. After it has cured in the sun for five to ten 

 days it is carefully piled, exterior side uppermost, to complete the sea- 

 soning process, which, unless the season is wet or the bark is piled in 

 a shady place, requires but two or three months. It is highly desirable 

 to remove the bark from the woods as soon as it is seasoned, for if 

 left until winter it becomes covered with snow and ice, loses a consid- 

 erable part of its tanning property, and curls badly; but in regions 

 where roads are bad in summer it is often left to he taken out on sleds 

 after snowfall. 



It is evident that the wet climate of Oregon and Washington will 

 prove somewhat detrimental to the economic handling of ])ark. 

 Unfortunately, the heaviest rain occurs in the Hemlock regions. The 

 thinness of the bark, the greater care required to cure properl}", and 

 the higher price of lal^or will tend to make the cost of production per 

 cord greater than it is in the East. On the other hand, Hemlock 

 stumpage is low, the bark is richer, and, since the roads are best in the 

 fall, there need be no diflicultv in getting it out when it is in the best 

 condition. 



