FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 247 



the first, and 20, 24 and 30 inches wide. They should be perfectly clear, but they 

 are admitted if they have only two knots small enough to be covered with the 

 thumb. This wood is also formed into clap-hoards and shingles." 



There were foresters in those days as well as lumbermen. In i/zoAdolphus 

 Benzel, son of Archbishop Eric Benzel, of Sweden, was appointed inspector of his 

 majesty's woods and forests in the vicinity of Lake Champlain at a salary of ;{J^300 

 per annum. His residence was at Crown Point.* As early as 1700 Lord Bello- 

 mont, Governor of New York, recommended that each person who removed a tree 

 should pay for planting " four or five young trees;" that no tree should be cut 

 " that is marked for the use of the Navy ; " and that no tree or trees be cut " but 

 when the sap is in the root."f 



Primitive ?\etI)ods. 



It is well to consider here the conditions and limitations under which the lumber 

 business was carried on years ago, at the beginning of the last century, for instance. 



There was a lack of the tools and labor-saving appliances which are considered 

 indispensable to-day. Even the axe of the chopper was home made, the rude 

 handiwork of the nearest blacksmith ; for the axe factories, with their keen, brightly 

 polished product, were yet to come. The double-bitted axe had not been invented, 

 and so the woodsman used a single bit with a curved hickory handle. Cross-cut 

 saws, which had to be imported from England, were scarce and costly ; hence the 

 tree trunks were cut into logs by chopping instead of sawing. The millwrights were 

 not much better of? for tools. The first mill in Rensselaer County was built in 

 1792 by a man named Cross, who " had no tools but an axe, saw and augur." 



After the logs were cut they were seldom skidded, but were hauled direct to the 

 mill. Skidways were rarely made, except where a surplus stock of logs was left 

 lying in the woods. 



Oxen were used for the most part in logging, the same teams being employed on 

 farm work part of the year; for the lumberman was obliged to combine farming 

 with his business in order to make a living. In those days the oxen did not wait 

 for the teamster to swear at them before starting a load. It was not until later 

 years that the oxen got that idea. 



There was no river driving then. The great white pines stood close around the 

 mill itself, and so thickly that the logs were quickly and easily " snaked " there. As 



* History of the Town of Queensbury. By A. W. Holden, M. D. 

 f Colonial Documents. Vol. IV, p. 675. 



