Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1899-09-01
VOLUME XXXIX.-NUMBER IL.
OUR WAY OF LOGGING
ADVANCED METHODS USED IN
THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.
logging Season" Has No Meaning to the
Western Moodsman, for All Seasons OF the
Year Are Adapted to Work in the Gigantic
Forests.


Western Woodsman, for All Seasons Of the
Year Are Adapted to Work in the Gigantic
Forests.
Pacific Lumber journal.
Logging methods have undergone
great change during the past five
years, and cattle, then commonly used
in majority of the camps, have been
superseded by the donkey" engine
and the logging locomotive. In a
number of the camps heavy logging
horses are still much in demand, but
usually the horses are supplemented
by steam power and all the latest up
to-date appliances. Logging oxen
have been practically relegated to the
rear, and are now to be found in but
few camps in the entire Pacific North
west.
On the other hand the machine
shops and foundries have been taxed
to their utmost to supply the demand
for logging engines, and this in turn
has created an enormous demand for
wire rope and cable and all other ac-
cessories made necessary by the heavy
timber of this section. Several "dOn-
key" engines are frequently used in
the same camp, being located from
half to three-quarters of a mile apart,
from which wire cables are run into
the timber in distances varying from
quarter of q mile to a mile, the logs
being hauled over skid roads coming
the entire distance in twelve to fifteen
minutes. These engines will pull
from 5000 to 10000 feet at load.
In other localities the logging loco
motive is used exclusively, reducing
the laborious work involved, increas-
ing the output, and putting the whole
business upon the systematic basis OF
modern railroad operations. To the
initiated or to those who are not ia
miliar with present methods, a visit to
the logging camps Of the coast would
be a revelation, especially to the East
ern lumbermen. Timber, climate and
surroundings are entirely different.
the white pine States the logging sea-
son begins rs soon as the first heavy
frost winter, and ends with the break
ing up of the ice in the rivers and
streams. Much depends on the first
frost. If the ground is covered with
snow before the freeze-up the founda-
ton is bad, especially in the swamps'
and the roads will be bad all winter.
On the other hand, the absence of
snow is not felt very much, because
the roads may be easily sprinkled from
day to day so long as the frost is
severe. The timber is small and easily
handled. and horses are universally
used. Driving" is easily accom-
plished, too, on account of the small
logs.
On the Pacific coast, things are,
however, reversed. Cold weather and
snow constitute obstacles not easily
overcome. Instead OF ice roads, the
skid road offers the foundation, the
use of skid oil supplies the absence of
ice, and the donkey engine furnishes
the motive power from the woods to
the landing. So, too, the jack super
sedes the peavy, on account of the size
OF the logs and the logging locomotive
is rapidly taking the place of the river
driver. There is no such definition as
the "logging season." All seasons
look alike to the Pacific coast logger.
The work in the woods goes on merri-
ly every month in the year, except
when it SHOWS, which is a rarity, and
the logs are hauled over the hills as
rapidly in December as they are in
July.
But the future will see many
changes in logging, as the forests,
tributary to the mills and water, are
being cut away. The hills and val
leys at present inaccessible will be
penetrated by logging railroads, and
there will be a multitude of mountain
sawmills where there are now none. In
other words, the timber for the large
mills will be taken to destination by
rail, and the small mills will be cut
ting lumber in the mountains, to be
fumed to the planning mills in the val
leys by the railroad track. Many
logs, too, will be humed, but the bulk
of the input will of necessity be
hauled by rail. In the meanwhile
however, the timber accessible will be
cut more closely than it has been in
the past, the tendency being, both in
the woods and mills, to exercise
greater care and less waste, which is
gratifying state of affairs.
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