Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-12-28
The Best Time to Fell Forest Trees.

Farmers, as a rule, find it convenient
to fell timber, both for fuel and for
rails, during the winter months after
the harvest is well over and before
early spring work begins. Every sea-
son the question is agitated as to the
desirability of this custom, and the best
season for cutting wood becomes the
sub ect for discussion at club; and else
where.
The question is certainly an impor-
tant OIe when the trees felled are to be
consumed as fuel.
OF green wood one-third to one-half
or more of its weight is wafer, partly
depending upon the time of cutting.
Experience appears TO prove that all
kinds of wood cut in January contain
from ID to % per cent. less water than
after the sap is set in motion in the
spring. In Schuller's experiments 100
pounds of ash wood cut in January was
| found 10 contain 20 pounds of water.
while the same amount cut in April
contained 80 pounds of water; 100
pounds of sycamore cut in January
contained 33 pounds of water, and 40
cut in April. White pine cut in Janu-
airy contained % pounds; cut in April,
81 pounds of water.
George Il. Emerson. in his work on
trees and shrubs. gives the result of
circulars sent out by him to different
parts of the State of Mas achusetts,
asking: ''What season of the year is
found best for telling Forest" To
this question the testimony was various,
but all the correspondents concurred in
saying that the tree should be feled
when not in leaf. the majority favoring
| the winter months-any time between
November and April. Another enter
prising Massachusetts writer who has
investigated this subject says: ut is
considered preferable for the future
growth to fell forest in April and May.
but the wood is not so good as when
cut between November and April
As wood seasons naturally in the air,
thereby losing much of its weight of
water, there is a large waste of strength
in hauling green wood. This fact ac-
counts for the custom in many sections
Of telling trees in winter, but often not
working them up for some months
Another important fact is the waste in
burning green wood for fuel While in
reality cord of green wood produces
Just as much heat as a cord of the same
wood dry, the cord of green wood will
not supply for use one-half rs much heat
as the dry cord. The explanation is
simple: The sap in green wood mu,t be
expelled before its carbon comes into
play to produce heat This takes place
gradually in the form of vapor, which
carries off large amount of heat that
| is not rendered available. AS wood
seasons more rapidly when split in
small pieces. it is n wise provision to
have fire-wood cut in shape for winter
use as early as practicable. Lt
In selecting wood for fuel it becomes
matter of economy to take for fire.
wood such sorts as will do best service
in range and stove. leaving behind for
rails, timber and fence posts the varie-
ties which, while possessing little value
as regards their heating qualities, stand
in the foremost rank for durability under
exposure to the weather
Shell bark hickory represent among
forest trees the highest standard for
fuel. Calling hickory 100; other trees
will compare with it for real value as
fuel as follows: Shell-bark hickory, 100;
pgnut hickory. SO: white ash, 81: white
oak, 80; dogwood, IS; fern oak, rs;
white hazel, ~; apple tree, 20: red oak.
81; white beech, s.; black birch, 90; yell
low oak, 60; hard maple. SO; white elm.
So; red cedar, So; wild cherry. So; yell
| low pine, "a; chestnut, 50; yellow pop
lar, A: hutternut and white birch. %,
and white pine, 30. A number of these
woods which show a very low value for
fuel are highly esteemed for fine cabinet
work and interior WOODWORK. y.
World