FLOATING AND RAFTING 421 
to the United States practically ceased in 1898 when an em- 
bargo was placed on the export of logs from Crown lands. 
Rafts Fastened with Poles. — The common form of raft on the 
Ohio River and on some southern streams is one in which the 
logs are made up into raft sections. The logs in each section 
are attached to each other by poles placed across the logs and 
fastened to them by means of rafting dogs. The sections are 
fastened together by cables. 
On the Ohio River poplar and other logs are rafted in lengths 
of from 20 to 60 feet. The longer logs are preferred because 
of the greater ease in rafting and also because the laws of ad- 
joining states allow a fee of 25 
cents per stick without regard to 
length, to all parties who catch and 
hold logs for rafting. On the 
upper reaches of the Big Sandy 
River floating logs are caught and 
about sixty sticks are made into a „,,,,., 
., , • 1 • r • 1 . i X 1 Fig. 151. — Method of Attach- 
raft which IS from eight to twelve .^^ j^^^^j^^ p^,^^ ^^ Logs, by 
logs wide and from 250 to 400 feet means of Wooden Pins, 
long. The logs are bound together 
with small poles 20 feet long which are placed at intervals of 
from 10 to 12 feet. Rafts are equipped with long sweeps at 
each end to assist in guiding them, and each one is floated 
down to the mouth of the stream in charge of two men. The 
owner makes from twelve to sixteen rafts, containing from 
700 to 900 sticks, into a fleet and takes it down-stream to the 
mills under the control of a tug. An occasional fleet contain- 
ing 2000 logs is handled which is regarded as the maximum 
size practicable. 
A modification of this form of raft is occasionally used for 
handling yellow pine in the South. The rafts are made up in sec- 
tions one log long held together by poles which are attached to 
the logs by wooden plugs driven into holes l^ored through the 
poles and into the timbers. Several sections are then made 
into a raft and floated downstream to the mill under the guid- 
ance of raftmen who steer with long sweeps or oars. 
On some of the streams in the Northeast assorted logs are made 
into rafts and towed to the mills. The St. John's River Log 
Driving Company of Fredericton, New Brunswick, makes up its 
