FELLING AND LOG-MAKING 115 
log 1(5 inches and under in diameter and 4 inches for those of 
greater diameter. 
Workmen become careless and often do not cut 50 per cent of 
the logs the proper length. Where less than 2 inches are left 
for trimming length, the board is usually reduced 2 feet in length 
at the mill, while on those that are several inches too long the 
loss is also great. Inaccuracy in measurements is due to careless 
measurement with the stick and to the use of one shortened by 
accidentally clipping off the end with the marker's ax. 
The result of measuring 1000 logs on the skidway of a southern 
yellow pine operation showed that only 426 logs were of the 
proper length, while 240 were too short and 333 were from 1 
to 11 inches too long. The excess on the ends of several logs 
was often sufficient to have secured an additional 2 feet of mer- 
chantable material had the bole been carefully divided. 
Disregard of Quality. — Log-makers frequently do not give 
sufficient attention to securing quality as well as quantity. Where 
timber has large limbs the general practice is to leave the greater 
part of the tops in the woods because lumber of low grade only 
can be secured from them. Log-makers frequently exercise poor 
judgment in cutting trees into logs and often fail to apportion 
the bole so that the best portion and the knotty portion are 
kept in separate logs. It is not uncommon to find from 6 to 10 
feet of clear bole put into a log with several linear feet of knotty 
material. This policy is costly because the value of the log is 
chiefly determined by its poorest section. The universal rule 
should be to divide the bole so that the clear material will be 
kept separate from the rough and defective. It may often prove 
more profitable to waste a few feet of rough log if by so doing the 
amount of high-grade lumber can be increased. 
Waste. — One form of waste commonly observed is shown 
in Fig. 23. Log-makers seldom go above points where one or 
more large limbs project out on one side (see X). If the log is 
15 or more inches in diameter and one side is free from knots, 
the cut should be extended 2 or 4 feet further up the tree, say to 
"Y", if that distance gives the proper log length. The lower 
side will yield clear lumber free from knots and cannot in any 
way depreciate the value of the log content, while the lumber- 
man secures the additional material on the good half of the log 
which otherwise would be wasted. If necessary, the portion 
