FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 



399 



Sandy Hill and Fort Edwards markets. As per specifica- 

 tions, the trees were cut at a height not exceeding two to 

 three feet above the ground. Cross-cut saws were used in 

 the beginning for felling the trees, but the French Canadian 

 woodsmen, by whom the labor was performed, prefer the 

 axe, and its use soon became exclusive. 



The operations of felling and trimming, and of piling and 

 burning were carried on separately, 

 and as much time as possible 

 allowed to elapse between the 

 felling and burning in order that 

 the timber might become seasoned. 

 Burning could be successfully car- 

 ried on only under the most favor- 

 able conditions of weather, that is 

 to say, when it was sufficiently dry 

 and the wind favorable. When 

 unfavorable conditions prevailed the 

 force employed on this part of the 

 work was kept busy piling brush. 



As to the advantage of leav- 

 ing the fallen timber to season 

 before burning, it may be re- 

 marked that for some kinds of 

 timber it is of doubtful ad- 

 vantage, especially when one 

 considers that labor can be 

 saved if the trimming, piling 

 and burning are done as fast 

 as the timber is felled. Under 

 this head it may be pointed 

 out that spruce and balsam 

 burn readily when freshly cut, 

 and hardwoods can be so 



burned if the brush is in closely compacted piles, especially if felled during the winter 

 months when the sap is out, although heavy snow in Indian Lake region may interfere 

 at this season. Again, a portion of Indian Lake flowage has been devastated by forest 

 fires, and on such areas and in places where the original growth has been thinned by 



AN ADIRONDACK CHEF. 



