2 28 FORESTRY IN SWITZERLAND. 



Among the many pruning-saws for cutting away withered boughs we must give preference 

 over all others to the simplest and cheapest kind, which is made out of the forward part of a 

 good, old-fashioned scythe. Those fastened to poles, whether long or short, we cannot, on 

 trial, recommend. If the pole be short, it is of little use ; if long, it is uncertain for cutting. 

 A light ladder of moderate length renders better service. Still less advisable, especially with 

 coniferous trees, is the employment of iron bars. Among wedges, the split-wedge, which is 

 quite unknown in many localities, merits special mention. For turning and sharpening heavy 

 tree-trunks in the hill lands the turning-ring, the grip (goose-foot), and the "S" hook are still 

 too little in use. For transporting timber down steep declivities tackle might be used more 

 frequently — that is, in cases where there is a growth of young branches. 



Among the implements of culture there are many which can find only a limited use, and 

 the employment of which does not pay in every case. Good shovels and picks of good steel, 

 not too heavy, single and double hoes (pick and bush hoes), and iron rakes are the most neces- 

 sary and serviceable implements. Spades and picks of American make are to be highly recom- 

 mended. Hewers and rakes are best chosen according to the forms in use in the several 

 localities, provided, of course, they meet the requirements of cheapness. 



By using the implements above mentioned, the forest owner has the advantage of not being 

 obliged to provide a heavy stock of tools, as many workmen bring their own with them. In this 

 , connection the other implements of culture, such as are used in transplanting the smaller kinds 

 of plants, should not be regarded as useless ; there are times when they can render good service, 

 and then is the time to employ them. In our large plant-gardens the furrow-plow is highly 

 valued as forwarding and lightening labor. 



The instruments for making forest surveys displayed great variety, although the work 

 required of them is very simple. In this line invention is so active that it is difficult to keep 

 pace with it. 



TRANSPORT OF WOOD. 



The question of transporting wood from the comparatively inaccessible 

 higher mountain regions to the place of consumption enters as a leading 

 factor into the problem of rendering the cultivation of forests in such re- 

 gions at all. profitable. Wherever roads, passable either by wagons or sleds, 

 can be maintained no insuperable difficulty is encountered ; but many forests 

 are located at points entirely inaccessible by such methods, and the devising 

 of means for getting out the wood produced there, at paying prices, offers a 

 broad field for energy and ingenuity. A vehicle known as a schnegg, half 

 wagon half sled, is used, even in summer, in sections where the descent is 

 very steep. But from points which no vehicle can reach the wood is gen- 

 erally got out by means of slides, made either of slats or of wire cables. 

 This method is only resorted to when necessity compels, as, for instance, in 

 gettmg timber over gorges, streams, narrow valleys, or rocky slopes. Of the 

 two the wire cables are preferable, as standing more wear. Rafting is also 

 resorted to whenever rendered practicable by the stage of water in the moun- 

 tain streams, although it involves, as a rule, the loss of considerable wood, 

 and occasionally much danger for the raftsmen, as well as damage to the 

 banks of the stream. Where the latter are rocky there is no great harm 

 done, but where walled in with fascines rafting must be prohibited, and 

 where with stone-work must be limited to small wood. The transportation 



