116 LOGGING 
containing the large knots can be cut off in the mill at the 
trimmer. 
A loss usually occurs in cutting broken timber into logs by 
making the saw-cut too far below the break. Where the break 
is not square across it is often possible to obtain added material 
by cutting the log so as to include a portion of the broken end. 
This should always be done on large timber where the extra 
section that can be secured is at least equal to one-half the diam- 
eter of the log. 
One of the most extensive wastes occurs in the tops when all 
of the merchantable material below the larger limbs has not been 
Fig. 23. — Waste in a Top resulting from an Improper Selection of Log 
Lengths. 
utilized. Sections of good timber from one to several feet in 
length and of a quality equal to that taken are often left, because 
the log-makers did not exercise judgment in dividing the bole 
into the most economical log lengths. The loss from this source 
often runs from 3.5 to 5 per cent of the total merchantable stand 
and the annual loss on large operations amounts to thousands 
of dollars, although it could be corrected by proper supervision. 
Close utilization of the kind mentioned does not require the 
operator to take material that he does not consider merchant- 
able. A system by which timber is cut for quality as well as 
quantity means an increase in the percentage of the higher grades, 
more timber per acre and prolonged life to the operation. 
BARKING OR ROSSING 
When logs of large size are skidded on dry ground, the bark 
on the lower side is frequently removed to reduce friction. This 
is termed "barking" or "rossing." During a wet season or 
when power is used for skidding rossing frequently is oniitted. 
In the Northeast the ends of long logs that are being yarded 
on drag sleds are sometimes rossed on the under side when the 
road is either level or upgrade, or the dragging hard. 
