NOTES ON FOREST WORK. 453 



ings, are exceptionally stroDg — and this again adds considerably 

 to the cost — they are soon borne down by their own weight, so 

 that the end touches the ground and prevents them from 

 swinging. From this cause they soon get knocked about and 

 so much damaged that in a very short time new gates are required 

 to replace them. 



A very suitable gate, which is extensively used on this estate, 

 is made out of creosoted Scotch fir rails, cut 3| inches wide by 

 1^ inches thick. The gate consists of four bars, 10 feet long, 

 securely nailed to ends cut out of the same material, with two 

 angular pieces for supports, and two pieces of double rail to 

 support the hinge-plates. The ends are 3 feet 9 inches in 

 height, and, along with the angular pieces, are left 3 inches 

 above the topmost bar. Across these ends is firmly stretched 

 a barbed wire, which prevents stock from rubbing or leaning 

 against the gate. 



A gate of this description can be made and fully mounted for 

 about twelve shillings, while those in general use cost nearly 

 double that amount. It has the advantage, too, of being light 

 and easily supported on its own hinges, while the post on which 

 it is hung need not be more than 8 inches in diameter. 



Tools. 



Whatever be the nature of the work on which foresters or their 

 labourers are employed, it is of the utmost importance that the 

 tools used should be of the handiest description, and that they 

 should be made from the most reliable material. There is no 

 economy in purchasing cheap tools if the material from which 

 they are made is not of the highest quality, for there is more time 

 lost in sharpening and trying to work with bad tools than many 

 people care to admit. Axes, spade?, saws, and other tools, which 

 constantly require grinding or sharpening, are best relegated to 

 the waste iron heap. When purchasing tools, it is therefore 

 necessary that the forester should insist upon getting them from 

 those makers only who, experience shows, can be relied upon to 

 supply the best possible material and make. 



Another point which deserves special attention from the 

 forester, is that his men should use the tools for the exact 

 purpose for which they were made. It is no uncommon thing 

 to see a man using a spade when a shovel would be more to the 



