Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-01-25

Comparatively few farmers employ any
thing but wood as a f!el for family USE
There is every reason why this should be
so; upon most farms where there is much
extent of timber or wood land, there is
generally enough dead wood to furnish
all the light fuel for summer, and the
cutting of timber for necessary repairs
Will go far toward affording the supply
for winter, when the demand is more
severe. In any event, the farmer who
has wood growing upon his farm, which
he can by turning on his labor convert
into fuel, and so secures supply without
any cash outlay, will be likely to resort
to that means in preference to any
other.
A wood fire requires considerable Mt.
tention in order to secure the best re-
suits, but for general use both summer
and winter, for family purposes there is
nothing better.
And yet, counting the value of the
wood standing, the time required in cut
ting to haul, hauling, and time required
to prepare 1t for use at regular wages, the
cash value would prove an obstacle to it's
use.
AS before stated, because it can be Sc =
cured wholly without any cash expendi-
ture, and because it can be cut and pre-
pared for use when there is no other
work OF the farm pressing, renders it the
popular fuel among farmers
But IN order to secure the best results,
wood should be thoroughly seasoned be-
tore 1t IS used. In burning green wood
that is filled with sap or moisture, there
must be certain amount OF evaporation
carried on before the fuel will burn, and
certain amount of heat must be en-
ployed IN the process: how much Of that
heat can be utilized during the process it
is difficult to determine, but it is rea-
sonable to suppose that but small
amount of it can be made available.
linen there IS lost in burning green wood
just as much heat as is required to ex-
pei the moisture from the green wood
When there is years supply in adj
vance no trouble in this line need arise,
and II 1t is desirable to occasionally use
a stick of green wood to regulate the
heat little better, or to prevent a too
rapid combustion of the dry, it can be
used.
1t is always best to perform the labor
required in the woods to get ready for
hauling In the early winter, or what is
better, in the late fall, so as to take
advantage of any favorable conditions
for hauling, and so as to have a supply
at hand for the employment of spare
hours
If wood is to DE hauled upon snow we
much prefer cutting in eight feet lengths,
as it requires less hauling and is full " as
convenient for chopping at the wood
pile. In cutting thought should be
had for the season of year in which the
bulk of the pile is to be used, and place
by itself that which is smaller and light
wood for summer use. In preparing for
the winter supply it is very good
economy to leave considerable proper
ton Of large size, and especially leave
knots split only so much as may be nee
essary to put into the stove, for the reason
that coarse wood burns slower and makes
coarser Goals when burned, and may
therefore be considered much more
durable. At the same time there should
be a sufficient quantity finely split so
that fire may be kindled in the quickest
possible time. Those who enjoy the
constant heat of a continuous coal fire
know little of the discomfort of occupy
ing ten or fifteen minutes in building a
fire under unfavorable conditions.
After the wood is pre- Jared for use, it
should remain exposed for time n Or
dor I" a d the process of seasoning, and
then it should be placed under cover.