NOTES AND QUERIES. 321 



theni, or bury them in an old disused gravel-pit or any such 

 place which might be situated near by. A good engine, with 

 careful handling, will shift roots up to five tons in weight. 



Where there was any difficulty in getting the roots to move 

 when fast in the ground, I have used a heavy charge of dynamite. 

 I found it much better to use an extra heavy charge than a light 

 charge. 



I prefer, however, if the soil is suitable, to bury as many roots 

 as possible, placiag them well below the surface. 



From Mr John Clark, Forester, Methlick, Aberdeen. — I have 

 removed many roots by means of a traction-engine, and I consider 

 this the best method of removing roots that have been cut from 

 blown-down trees. The engine should be placed to the windward 

 of the blown roots, i.e., the engine should be standing near where 

 the top of tree lay, or on that line from the root. A strong 

 chain should be fastened on a strong arm of the root, and the 

 wire rope of the eagine should be fastened to the chain and 

 run over a 6 feet larch pole, with a pulley on the top of it. In 

 front of the root a "slyp" should be placed, so that the centre 

 of the root may rest on the centre of the " slyp " when the former 

 is turned over. The root should be cleared of soil and then 

 drawn away by two horses. If the roots are not more than 

 15 inch in diameter, two horses can tilt them over if they have 

 been prepared or partly cleaned before lifting. The pole, about 

 5 inch diameter, should be fitted for two supports, to be held 

 in position by a man until the rope gets tight, when he must 

 clear out of the way. 



From the late Mr D. Dewar, Forester, Beaufort, Beauly. — When 

 roots of blown-trees have to be removed, we do this by means of 

 blasting with gunpowder. The depth and direction of the auger- 

 hole for the powder have a good deal to do with making the 

 blast effective, and breaking up the roots. 



Death Duties and Timber Planting. 



The bad effect of the heavy death duties payable by large land- 

 owners, is an evil which can only be properly gauged by posterity. 

 It would appear that the woodland portions of estates are to be 

 the greatest sufferers, — from want of extension, — and at a period 



