LOGGING METHODS 31 
structures although log buildings are also used. The latter are 
employed almost exclusively on operations where the logs are 
hauled on sleds and floated down streams. Workmen are boarded 
and housed by the operator. 
Topograyhy and Bottom. — The topography varies through- 
out the region. In some sections the land is flat, more often it 
is rolling and "pot holes," which present difficult logging prob- 
lems, are common, Th(^ brush is often dense in the forest where 
the pine is mixed with hardwoods, while in pure stands of pine 
the undergrowth is usually scanty. 
Climate. — The winter season is long with low temperatures 
and abundant snowfall throughout most parts of the region. 
Conditions are favorable for sled transportation to streams, 
although logging operations in some sections have now been pushed 
back into regions where log driving is impracticable. 
Felling and Log-making. — This work is performed by a crew 
of two or three men who operate under the direction of a saw 
boss. Low stumps are cut and the bole is taken to a top diam- 
eter of about 4 inches. Logs are generally cut into standard 
lengths. The daily output of a crew of two men is from 6000 
to 10,000 board feet, depending on the size of the timber. 
Skidding. — Animal logging is predominant. Several meth- 
ods are used for bringing logs to the skidway which is either 
along a railroad or a sled road. For small logs and for distances 
of from 300 to 400 feet snaking is common while for large logs 
and rough bottom go-devils are used. Logs are snaked for 
500 or 600 feet on snow liottom. High wheeled carts are used 
by some operators for logging to a railroad in summer, when 
hauling for distances from j- to ^-mile. On winter logging 
swamps are crossed and often hauls of ^-mile are made by 
means of a jumbo dray, the logs being snaked out to the roads 
and then hauled directly to the skidway along the railroad. 
Steel-spar cableway skidders are now used on some hardwood 
and hemlock operations. 
Transportation. — Railroads are the chief form of transport. 
During the spring, summer and fall the logs required daily are 
yarded directly to the railroad and loaded on cars. The winter 
supply of logs is either decked along the railroad or else yarded 
at more remote spots and then hauled to the railroad on two- 
sleds. There are only minor interruptions of railroad traffic 
