48 BULLETIN 711^ U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTUKE. 



only 3 per cent. It would seem that the output should be less in light 

 stands than dense ones, since more time is lost because of travel in a 

 light stand than in a dense one, especially where the ground is steep 

 and brushy. Of course, the opposite may be true when, because of the 

 density or mixed character of the stand, two or more fellings are 

 made. The difference in the output because of different species 

 amounts to little or nothing, except as different species of the same 

 diameter vary in volume, percentage of breakage, or percentage of 

 defect. For example, the output of a set of f allers when working in 

 western red cedar will be from 15 to 20 per cent less than when work- 

 ing in Douglas fir of the same diameter, because the volume of the 

 trees will be less, breakage will be higher, and the percentage of 

 merchantable timber will be less. 



(6) The percentage of defect. Defect in timber increases the costs 

 in the same way as breakage. This factor has been growing more 

 important, and it will continue to grow in importance as utilization 

 in the woods increases. Its effect in pushing up the cost is shown by 

 the following case, which is exceptional : The f allers were paid 

 (contract work) for 6,210,000 feet, gross scale ; the buckers (contract 

 work) for 4,773,000 feet, gross scale ; while the logs hauled and util- 

 ized scaled 2,498,000 feet net scale. 



(7) The length of the logs. As a rule, the output of bunkers is 

 larger when long lengths are cut. 



(8) The amount of windfalls. It has been pointed out that in 

 order to keep the percentage of breakage as small as possible, it is 

 necessary to buck the windfalls before the timber is felled. As a 

 general thing, the merchantable material obtained from this class of 

 timber is small, hence the cost of bucldng varies with the character 

 and number of windfalls. 



(9) The steepness and roughness of the ground. As the ground 

 becomes steeper and rougher, the percentage of breakage, the time 

 lost in traveling from one tree to another, and the hazards of the 

 work, also the amount of wedging, undercutting, and propping, in- 

 crease. All these tend to reduce the output. 



(10) The amount of brush. At times the brush is so thick that 

 the fallers have to swamp out a trail in going from one tree to the 

 other. 



(11) The distance of the work from the camp. Time consumed 

 and energy expended in getting to and from the work have an effect 

 on the output. 



EMPLOYMENT AND PAYMENT OF LABOR. 



The basis of employment and payment of labor in this region is 

 generally a 10-hour day, Avith a charge for board. Head buckers are 

 sometimes paid by the month. 



