SELLING WOODLOT PRODUCTS ON MICHIGAN FARMS. 33 



inch should be disregarded; for example, if the actual diameter is lYs 

 inches, the volume used should be that of a 7-inch log. The length of 

 the log can be measured conveniently by means of a stick 8 feet long, 

 marked at every foot or two. Logs should be cut about 3 inches longer 

 than the specified length, so that the rough end may be trimmed at the 

 mill. Three inches is as much as is necessary for this; larger amounts 

 constitute a direct waste. 



The volume of each log should be immediately entered in a notebook, 

 together with the species, and the log should be marked with a lumber 

 crayon to avoid danger of rescaling it. A convenient way to record the 

 volumes is to put them in columns under the name of the species. It 

 is a good plan to number the logs with the lumber crayon as they are 

 scaled, and to record the same number opposite the respective volumes 

 in the notebook. This makes it possible, in case of dispute, to go back 

 to any individual log for the purpose of remeasurement. 



"Scalmg out" defects 



Log rules are made for sound logs and do not take into account de- 

 fects ; consequently the amount of defect must be estimated and deducted 

 from the full scale. When the defect is rot or hollow at the center of 

 the log it may be "scaled out" either (1) by giving the log a volume corre- 

 sponding to that of a log an inch or more smaller or a foot or two 

 shorter, the amount to be gauged by the estimated amount of the defect ; 

 or (2) by deducting from the full scale the amount of board feet which 

 would be contained in a board as long as the log and a little wider and 

 thicker than the defect. Where the log is hollow or badly rotten at the 

 heart, as is apt to be the case in old basswood trees, the defect may be 

 scaled as though it were a small log, and the volume then subtracted 

 from the full scale of the log. When the heart is sound but the sapwood 

 is rotten or badly checked, only the heart should be scaled. 



Crooked logs cut out a large per cent of short and bark-edged pieces 

 of very little value, and it is necessary to deduct from the full scale the 

 amount which in the opinion of the scaler would be lost in cutting. The 

 scaler should sight along a curved log, noting where the saw will square 

 it sufficiently to cut boards on both sides affected by the curve. Curve is 

 much more serious in short than in long logs. In crooked logs 16 feet 

 or more in length, little need be deducted from the full scale, since most of 

 the shorter boards manufactured will still be long enough for sale. 



•I ■ 



SJdpping h^ railroad 



The two essentials in determining the cost of shipping woodlot 

 products are the rate per 100 pounds to the destination and the weight 

 of the materials to be shipped. The shipping charge, as for any other 

 farm product, is simply the rate multiplied by the number of 100 pounds 

 in the weight. Freight rates on wood products are low ; since different 

 roads have different rates, and these are not strictly uniform according 

 to distance, they should be ascertained in advance of the sale from the 

 local freight agent. At the same time the minimum carload weight 

 to which the rate applies should be ascertained. The minimum weight 

 usually exceeds 30,000 pounds and is sometimes as great as 60,000 



