412 LOGGING 
caught in the booms are held as the property of the company and 
are sold at auction to the highest bidder. 
B. SPECIES THAT FLOAT 
The majority of the coniferous species indigenous to the United 
States will float, although there is a heavy loss in driving woods 
such as southern yellow pine, green hemlock, and the butts 
of larch and redwood. The buoyancy of hemlock is increased by 
peeling the timber and allowing it to season for a short period 
before placing it in the water. 
Hardwood logs, such as basswood, poplar, and cucumber, float 
well and can be driven, although basswood is apt to become 
discolored, which greatly depreciates its value. Oak, beech, 
maple, birch, and other heavy hardwoods can only be floated 
with difficulty unless they are especially prepared or are rafted 
with lighter species. Some loggers cut and peel oak in July, 
August, September, and October, place it on skids near the bank, 
and allow it to dry out from sixty to ninety days. It then 
becomes light enough to float for short periods. 
Another method^ is to peel and season the logs, then paint 
the ends with two or three coats of paint and raft with lighter 
species. Holes also may be bored into logs and plugged up 
so as to form air spaces and thus increase the buoyancy of the 
timber. 
White birch for spool stock is sometimes driven for short 
distances in Maine, although the green timber will only float for 
a short time. One method is to fell the trees during the summer 
months and leave the tops on them until a large amount of 
moisture has been removed. Again, the trees may be felled, 
the tops cut off, and the timber left in the forest to season for 
from eight to twelve months This method is less satisfactory 
than the former because the sapwood of the logs stains badly 
during summer months, if left for long periods. 
The following lists show the relative floating ability of several 
species. 
1 There is a serious objection to this method of handhng hardwoods because 
their vahie is reduced by checks and incipient rot. Hardwood cut during 
the spring or summer must be converted into lumber in a few weeks if the best 
results are secured. 
