MACHINE FOR ROOTING UP THE STUMPS OF TREES. 



245 



The flopper or tampion which ferves as a plug to the mine, 

 is of the fame diameter, to enter within after a flight paper or 

 wadding. It is attached by a chain to the gun or mortar, 

 which lafl is eight inches in diameter. 



About two inches above is added a fmall touch hole and 

 pan. The hole is directed in an angle of 45 degrees, and is 

 primed with powder to communicate with the charge with 

 which the chamber is filled up to the ftopper. 



This engine may be caft even with more facility in brafs or 

 bronze, and in this cafe, it inuft be a little thicker in all its 

 dimenfions, in order to afford a refinance equal to that of the 

 forged iron. 



life of the Machine. 



When the machine is charged with powder, a fmall excava- Application 

 tion is made with a pick axe, in the center of the flump. The ^""^J^ 

 machine is then placed in it, fo that the plug immediately to be blown up. 

 touches the wood. Care mud be taken to fill all the vacan- 

 cies, either with (tones, or pieces of iron, or wood, more 

 efpecially beneath the platform of the machine, in order that 

 the explolion of the powder may have its full effeel on the 

 flump, of which if neceflary, the principal roots fhould firft 

 be cut, if any appear on the furface of the ground near the 

 Hump, that is to be eradicated. 



When the machine is firmly fixed in its place, the priming 

 is put into the pan, a flow match applied, the length of which 

 is fufficient to allow time to retire to a proper diflance from 

 the explofion. 



By infpeclion of the plan and feclion, every one will per- 

 ceive the utility of this Ample machine, and it may eafily be 

 made by any intelligent fmith. 



A. Plate XIII. Fig. 1. Plan of the machine of about two Delineatiorf and 

 feet three inches long. P late * 



B. Plan of the machine, 10 inches high, comprehending 

 the plug. 



a. The plug with its cap fattened to the chain. 



b. The chamber for the powder. 



C. The touch hole. 



The middle figure reprefents the machine placed under the 

 flump of a tree *. 



* Mr. Knight, ironmonger, of Fofter Lane, has contrived a 

 fimple apparatus for fplitting blocks of wood with gunpowder, of 

 which the defcription will be given in our next. — N. 



Method 



