43^ The yournal of Forestry, 



good deal of experience in the use of dynamite and tonite ; they are both 

 about the same strength, but tonite is safer to handle from the fact that it 

 contains no nitrogly-cerine, is always ready for use, and leaves no poisonous 

 fumes. 



Dynamite, on the other hand, is made up of 75 per cent, of nitrogly- 

 cerine and 1'5 per cent, of pulverised clay. 



The uncertainty of dynamite is such that you may use it for years 

 without an accident, or one may happen at any moment. The use of 

 gunpowder is an expensive process in clearing land, not being well adapted 

 for the purpose. 



I would recommend any person clearing land, either by dynamite or 

 tonite, to use electricity, and where practicable put two small cartridges 

 in the stump instead of one large one ; you will do better work, as both 

 explodes at the same time and one helps the other. There is another 

 great advantage in favour of tonite, that the railways carry it, being safe 

 in transit, storage and use. It does not require softening like dynamite, 

 nor is there any unpleasant smell after it explodes. The railways will not 

 carry dynamite. 



I would recommend in all cases the use of a sufficient charge of the 

 powder, to be certain that it is master of its work, because if you under- 

 charge you will then have to charge again, and probably the first charge is 

 entirely lost, and time wasted. 



A few experimental shots will very soon tell you the strength requied to 

 do the work. 



When the trees have begun to decay in the centre it is useless boring 

 them as there is not sufficient solidity for resistance. In this case it is 

 better to bore from the side, and if a large root put in two or three shots, 

 and fire by electricity. 



I have often been solicited to introduce a cheap exploder for this 

 purpose. I hope in the course of a few days to be able to introduce a 

 magnetic exploder to fire at least four shots in single circuit, which will be 

 quite strong enough, and so simple that it cannot get out of order except 

 when trifled with. When done with it will sell for about as much as it 

 cost, if properly cared for. I am endeavouring to bring down the price so 

 that it will induce those engaged in clearing land to use it, being so much 

 superior to the common fnse, because however careful you are in cutting 

 your fuse to the exact length, if there is a second between the charges 

 going otf, there might as well l)e an hour. By electricity the whole goes 

 off" at the same instant, and the machine is so simple that any common 

 labourer can manage it. 1 f a heavy stump is to be removed, I found it 

 very useful to place the to.iite under the centre by making a hole with a 

 spade, and placing a stone under the powder so as to get as much resistance 

 as possible, and placing the powder under and as near the wood as possible. 

 As many of your readers are interested in the clearing of laud, and as your 

 Journal is a good medium through which information may be obtained, I 

 shall be happy^to give any information to those so engaged in clearing land. 



I may here remark that a great deal of practical information can be had 



