12 BULLETIN 718, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
gardless of type or make, however, a mill will turn out to be a lia- 
bility rather than an asset unless it is set up properly and kept in 
good running order, and the work conducted on a business basis. 
The word " portable " as defined in the dictionary means " capable 
of being borne or carried, easily transported, conveyed without 
difficulty." The average portable mill owner, however, seems to take 
this definition too literally, for when he purchases a new mill, or 
moves to a new site, he pays as little attention . to setting it up or 
lining the machinery properly as he would in the case of a thrashing 
engine or a steam plow. The usual procedure is to clear off a level 
space of ground, set down the engine and boiler and block them up 
a little, adjust the belting, get up steam, and start the saw. The 
moving and setting up is not taken seriously. Regardless of the 
length of time a portable mill is to remain on the same site, the 
engine bed should be solid, the belting properly adjusted, the engine, 
sawmill, and carriage properly lined up and housed and all working 
parts oiled and the shafting in line and all parts in good working 
order. Otherwise it is impossible to manufacture good lumber. 
In general, the life of a portable mill may be placed at from 12 
to 15 years. One hundred and fifty days is the maximum time it is 
in active operation each year, so that, if not properly cared for, a 
portable mill may be said to " rust out " faster than it wears out. 
REGULAR EQUIPMENT. 
CLASS A. 
Fpllowing are the various parts and equipment of a class A mil] 
complete and their cost in 1916. Since the entrance of the Unitec 
States into the war, prices have fluctuated to such an extent as tc 
make it impractical to give those likely to be in effect when this 
bulletin is issued. It has been thought best, therefore, to give 19K 
prices throughout as a basis for estimates. 
Sawmill (husk and carriage) $254. 0( 
Sawdust conveyors, 25-foot , 35. (X 
48-inch chisel-tooth circular saw, 8 gauge— 62. OC 
60-inch solid-tooth circular saw, 7 gauge 82. 0( 
Engine and boiler, 15 horsepower s 776. 0( 
Pony edger 145. 0( 
Trimmer _ ' 280. 0( 
Shingle machine 160. 0( 
Lath mill and bolter 200.' OC 
Shingle buncher and packer 10. 0( 
Axes, cant hooks, shovels, wheelbarrows, etc 20. 01 
Chisel tool files, dozen 5. 0( 
Total 2, 020. 0( 
Discount 20 per cent 405. 8( 
1, 623. 2( 
