METHODS OF SLASH DISPOSAL 221 



and that, as far as possible, the butts of the limbs should be 

 placed toward the center of the pile." 



It is frequently unnecessary and often impracticable with- 

 out considerable expense to place the entire volume of the 

 slash in piles. The more inflammable portion, consisting of 

 the small branches with such twigs and foliage as are retained, 

 should be piled and in addition such of the larger branches 

 and portions of the bole as are conveniently located with 

 reference to the piles or may be needed to weight down or 

 keep the piles from being flattened out by heavy snows. 



Most of the large branches, cull logs, windfalls and other 

 unutilized trees are not put into the piles, unless this is neces- 

 sary to prevent the breeding of destructive insects. They 

 may be left lying in contact with the ground where they 

 absorb moisture and decay more quickly than if elevated. 



PiUng of slash while the cutting is in progress and before 

 the logs are skidded has the advantage of facilitating this 

 operation since the ground is somewhat cleared of d6bris. 

 More effective results from labor are likely to be secured where 

 the piling is a part of the logging job * and can be supervised 

 without additional expense. 



Brush piles should be located so as not to be in the way of 

 skidding operations and (if they are to be burned) at safe 

 distances from reproduction and larger trees. If the piling is 

 not done until after the completion of the logging many of 

 the piles can be located in roadways and yards. Where it is 

 desired to destroy undesirable reproduction, underbrush or 

 trees of inferior species the piles should be located so as to kill 

 this material. 



The method of piling is further subdivided depending on 

 the final disposition of the piled material into the following 

 submethods. 



(a) Piling and Burning. — The piles are burned as a special 



