TOP-LOPPING IN THE ADIRONDACKS 81 



less be lopped, under the law. Where the number of culls and of small 

 trees cut out to make room for roads is very large, an additional expense 

 is imposed for lopping, which may augment the total cost for all top- 

 loppitig work up to about 25 cents per cord. This, however, is the 

 extreme and not the average case. 



The late Mr. E. G. Joly de Lotbiniere reported at the Quebec 

 Convention of the Canadian Forestry Association with regard to 

 experiments conducted by him, as to the cost of brush disposal in the 

 spruce region of Blastem Canada. The result of the experiments 

 indicate that it cost approximately $1.25 per M. to bum the brush. 

 This involved the processes of lopping, piling and burning. Lopping 

 and piling alone cost one half the above figure or 62c. per M. ; but 

 lopping and scattering the brush cost 31c. per M. The latter figure 

 would correspond closely to 150. per cord for pulp wood. However, 

 where the pulp is cut to a diameter limit of 4 or 5 inches in the top, and 

 where no extra trouble is taken to scatter the brush the cost should be 

 materially lower. 



It has been demonstrated by the U. S. Forest Service that the cost 

 of brush disposal can be very materially decreased after one or two 

 years' experience. This is due to the fact that brush disposal becomes 

 a recognized part of the operation, the men becoming more familiar 

 with the work, and the most satisfactory methods being developed 

 through experience. In this way the cost of burning brush, after lop- 

 ping and piling, has been reduced from an initial figure sometimes as 

 great as $1.00 per M. to as little as 10 cents per M. The average cost 

 of piling and burning the brush, on many operations in the National 

 Forests in the Western States, is approximately 35 cents per M. This 

 corresponds to approximately 18 cents per cord. 



Closer Utilization. — The enforced lopping of tops by the state law, 

 has, on many tracts, resulted in a much closer degree of utilization 

 through the removal from the woods of much ptilp material from the 

 tops that would otherwise be left tmused. Some operators claim that 

 the additional revenue from this source alone will offset the cost of 

 top-lopping. Close utilization is of coturse possible and should be prac- 

 tised as a business measure, whether tops are lopped or not. The more 

 progressive concerns have voluntarily made much progress along this line. 



In connection with the above, the following statement is of interest, 

 quoted from a report dated December 20, 1909, to the Superintendent 

 of State Forests, by John W. Stephen, then State Forester of New York : 



"The amount of wood saved varies greatly with the nature of 

 the operation, and there are various opinions as to the saving 

 made in guttering and skidding. One operator, estimating the 



