Fig. 208.
HAULING LOGS BY MULE TEAM NEAR OCILLA, GEORGIA.
Logs are transported to the sawmill in various ways: They may be loaded on cars, and hauled to the millpond, Figs. 209 and 210. They may be floated down some stream. Where a stream is not deep they are often collected in the bed just below a specially prepared dam called a splash-dam. When the dam is opened the sudden flood carries them along. Logs are often made into rafts where the stream is large and deep or they may be floated singly. Men called log or river drivers accompany these logs. It is their duty to break up any jams which the logs may form. River-driving is dangerous work and requires great daring on the part of the men. They must learn to balance themselves on floating, rolling logs.
Fig. 209.
LOADED TRAIN OF LONGLEAF PINE, BARHAM, LOUISIANA.
When a log jam is broken the logs go out with a great rush and the driver must make his escape as best he can.
122. Milling.
—If the sawmill is located upon the banks of a running stream the logs are enclosed by a log boom until they are wanted for sawing. [Fig. 211]. Log booms are made by chaining logs together and stretching them across the river; they are to the enclosed logs what fences are to cattle.
Soaking logs in water helps to clean the wood. The mineral matter which is soluble is washed out. [Fig. 212].
Fig. 210.
UNLOADING LOGS FROM TRAIN, PINOGRANDE, CALIFORNIA.