Technics of Forestry. 393 



Illustration Xo. 1 is a bill such as is used by bark -peelers. 



No. 2 is an edge view of the same, looking at the back. 



No. 3 is a heavy falliug-axe, part only of handle shown. 



No. 4, a view of the same wedged on to the handle, which is of 

 ash, a little over a yard long, and has a clutch-knob at the end the 

 same as to the bill-handle. 



The first tool to hand, or always in its sheath at the woodward's 

 side, is the " bill." As you may know a workman by his tools — 1 

 don't mean their number or condition, but the shape and make, — so an 

 experienced man can tell the state of a forest almost by looking at 

 the soi't of tools the woodward uses ; and no better index is needed 

 than the " bill." There are several sorts, but for real forest work one 

 only, of which the annexed illustrations are accurate, is capable of 

 doing work efficiently and thoroughly. Of course they vary in size, 

 according to the age or strength of the user, or the trees 'it has t3 be 

 used upon. Generally, the softer the wood the heavier the "bill' 

 should be that has to be used. 



For general purposes, hedging, &c., the " bill " is an inch or two 

 longer, more curved at the cutting edge, and thicker at the back 

 edge ; which will be described hereafter. 



No, 1 has a straight-edged and an angular point, with a spur 

 at the back edge ; the angular point is to serve for drawing the long 

 opening cuts in the thin bark of the oak branches. This is done bv 

 leaning the left hand on the back of the bill while it is drawn alon-T^ 

 the branch with the right hand : a round-ended bill would not penetrate 

 deep enough. These bills are about a full eighth of an inch in thick- 

 ness of blade, and mostly steel throughout. . The off-side edge onl}^ is 

 ground ; if for a left-handed man, the near side must be ground instead. 



After grinding, a piece of blue ragstone is used, and sometimes for 

 a finer edge, a piece of Chorley Forest stone is used. 



i^To he continued.) 



"^^iM^ 



VOL. I. 2 E 



