FELLING AND LOO-MAKING 109 
charitable is governed by the species and the use to which the 
timber is to be put. Chestnut lumber containing many "pin- 
worm holes," has a market value both for veneer backing and 
for the manufacture of tanning extract if the timber is otherwise 
sound. On the other hand, oak with similar defects brings a low 
price because its physical properties do not fit it for many pur- 
poses. Defective logs of white pine, yellow poplar and other 
woods suitable for the manufacture of box material may be 
utilized because the lumber is cut into short lengths and the 
unsound portions eliminated, while logs of yellow pine with 
similar or fewer defects are frequently valueless for this purpose 
l)ecause the wood is heavy, making higher freight charges on the 
package, and southern j'ellow pine crates, when placed in cold 
storage, taint dairy products, eggs and certain other foodstuffs. 
The amount of bole taken depends on the ultimate use of 
the timber. This is well illustrated in cutting white oak for 
rived stave bolts which are split along the line of the medullary 
rays. Since the timber must be straight-grained and free from 
knots, only the choicest cuts are taken and a large part of the 
bole often is left in the forest. 
Market conditions are a potent factor in regulating the mini- 
mum size and character of timber that can be handled profitably. 
High-grade logs produce a sufficient percentage of low-grade 
lumber to supply a dull market, while a brisk demand enables 
the logger to bring out a large per cent of his inferior material 
because it can be sold for enough to cover the cost of manufac- 
ture and yield a small profit. Close utilization will not be general 
until the public is prepared to pay higher prices for lumber. 
Log Lengths. — Builders consider even lengths of from 10 to 24 
feet most advantageous and these have come to be recognized in 
lumber markets as standard. Mills handling small- and medium- 
sized timber which is skidded by animals, cut their logs into 
the above lengths in the forest, while those manufacturing long 
timbers or using power skidding machines either bring in logs 
varying from 24 to 60 feet in length or the entire bole to a top 
diameter of from 4 to 6 inches. These logs may be cut into 
shorter lengths at the railroad or landing but delivery at the mill 
of long logs is considered preferable for crooked or defective 
timber since the loss from improper division of the boles can be 
reduced. An experienced man at the mill can cut the boles into 
