61. 
rafting hardwood arrangements have to be made to 
prevent the logs from sinking. For this purpose bundles 
of bamboo, each bundle consisting of from 30 to 50 is 
firmly tied alongside the timber raft to act as buoys, 
these bundles are further again securely bound together 
by cross pieces to prevent the possibility of their parting 
during transit. The timber is suspended from them by 
means of rattans. On the thickness and fresh quality of 
the bamboos depends the carrying capacity of such a raft. 
In order to transport heavy timber overland for a long 
distance it is best to use elephants but for smaller timber 
buffaloes and bullocks may be used to convey it in carts. 
Should the distance not be too great and large quantities 
of timber be found, the best means may be a light railway, 
however, even in this case elephants or buffaloes can 
hardly be dispensed with to bring the timber to the 
small line. Bullocks are used chiefly to transport timber 
in the higher parts, especially in those with little water in 
the dry season and buffaloes are preferred for this work 
. by the natives in the Menam Valley. The bullocks 
