284 LOGGING 
facturing sites and shipping facilities on the natural water out- 
lets. 
(2) Independence of climatic conditions. Rail transport ren- 
ders a logger practically free from climatic influences since he 
is not dependent on a snowfall to furnish a bottom for hauling, 
or on flood waters to float his logs. This enables him to operate 
throughout the year, with possible short interruptions due to 
heavy rainfall or snowfall. 
(3) Market conditions. The use of railroad transport does 
not force the manufacturer to anticipate market conditions 
months in advance, because logs can be cut and hauled to the mill 
on short notice and special requirements for long timbers or for 
a heavy cut can be readily met. The plant can be closed during 
dull market periods without carrying on hand a large quantity of 
logs in the forest, subject to damage from fire, insects, and sap- 
stain. The operator can turn over his money at frequent in- 
tervals and need not invest a large sum in advance in logging 
expenses. 
(4) Utilization of hardwoods. The logger is able to bring 
out all species. This reduces logging expense, because of the 
heavier stand per acre secured. 
(5) No loss of logs in transport. 
(6) Clean logs. Rail transport lands the logs at their desti- 
nation free from gravel, sand, iron and other foreign matter. A 
hardwood manufacturer operating on one of the large rivers esti- 
mates that clean logs can be manufactured 15 cents per thousand 
cheaper because of the saving in saws, saw-filing expense and 
lost time on the part of sawmill labor. This saving is very 
appreciable in large plants. The value of some hardwoods, such 
as basswood for cooperage stock and birch for spool stock, is 
strongly influenced by the brightness of the wood, and even 
though such species can be floated their value is often reduced 
by exposure to weather and water. 
Railroads for logging purposes can usually be constructed 
much cheaper than trunk roads because higher grades and sharper 
curves can be used and also because the roadbed need not 
always be placed in first-class condition to do satisfactory work. 
In a rough region, however, the initial expense is great and 
the cost may be prohibitive if many miles of road must be con- 
structed to reach a tract. Under normal circumstances, rail- 
