MANUFACTURE OP CHARCOAL. 57 



these planks are equivalent to 2 cubic metres. They are sold at 

 70 francs per hundred. 



"Kailway sleepers can also be made. When injected they are 

 worth 2 francs 10 cents each, delivered at the railway station. 

 One may judge of the importance of this when we remember that 

 the Southern French Kailway and those of the north of Spain are 

 laid on pine sleepers. 



" To conclude, charcoal for forges is also made from the maritime 

 pine. The cubic metre of this charcoal weighs from 200 to 220 

 kilogrammes, and in the forest it brings from 18 to 20 francs." 



In regard to the manufacture of charcoal, which occupies an 

 important place in the exploitation of pine forests, M. Boitel reports: 

 " Branches and very young trees are not saleable as fire-wood, but 

 may be profitably converted into charcoal. In certain localities, where 

 the roads are bad, and the centres of population are at a distance, 

 the manufacture of charcoal is the only way of profitably employing 

 wood, which, if in the form of cotreis or faggots, would cost a great 

 deal for transport. 



" Usually pieces of wood of from 4 to 5 centimetres in diameter 

 are made into charcoal. Smaller ones are made into bourre'e&, small 

 faggots ; larger, into cotrets or bois de service. 



" The first fellings, which are from six to ten years old, furnish wood 

 for charcoal and bourr&es. When the pines are older, charcoal is only 

 made from the branches and upper parts of the stem. 



" The best pieces for making charcoal are straight, not very thick, 

 and sufficiently dry. They should not be more than from 0'75 

 metres to - 80 metres in length. The crooked branches are cut 

 into two or three pieces, the lateral twigs are cut off close, and the 

 ends are round and smoothly cut. Twigs hinder the wood being 

 properly arranged, and when the ends are ragged there is a good deal 

 of charcoal lost. Green and dead wood are avoided. The first yields 

 very little charcoal, the second only ashes, which may ignite the 

 furnace after the workman believes it to have been completely 

 extinguished — a great inconvenience, which spoils a great deal of 

 charcoal and occasions conflagrations. The maritime pine is fit for 

 the furnace six months after being felled. 



" Spring and autumn are the best seasons for making charcoal. 

 In summer it is dangerous to make it when there is no water. When 

 possible, the charcoal maker should always have plenty of this at 



hand. 



H 



