138 ON THE CLEARING OP LAND FOR PLANTING. 



this manner, within and near plantations, without damage. The 

 work is best performed when the heather is in a very dry state. 



Clearing land from which a crop of heavy timber has been 

 felled is the most difficult of all operations before planting, and 

 the modes are various and expensive. Although such land is often 

 planted, the roots are seldom removed, but these harbour and 

 attract insects, which often ruin the crop. The most effectual 

 means of getting rid of the roots is to trench the land, but the ex- 

 pense is so great that few resort to it ; those who do remove them 

 adopt those means which are most convenient, such as grubbing 

 out with the pickaxe, etc. Besides trenching, the locomotive 

 engine, the sci-ew, lever, and lever by horse power, are all appli- 

 cable and advantageous. But steam or horse power, combined 

 with the block and tackle, is the most speedy and most economical, 

 and I can recommend that system of clearing or extracting 

 roots, carried out as follows : Procure a set of blocks of strong 

 fender plate, fitted with 4-inch metal pulleys, of four and three 

 pulleys respectively, laced with a strong close-made chain about 

 60 feet long, with a large hook, to which is attached the steam or 

 horse power. With short chains attach the blocks to the longest 

 and stoutest roots. Very often the root chosen for a stay comes 

 away with the one wished to be pulled, in which case the chains 

 must again be attached to a stronger one. The only preparation 

 necessary is to have a few of the strongest roots cut away at the 

 point. The working of the block and tackle is very simple. The 

 blocks should in every case be attached to the longest limb, to 

 have as much lever power as possible. With strong proportional 

 blocks an ox will easily pull 15 tons, and with a four or six horse 

 power locomotive steam-engine attached to one of them, the result 

 is all that can be desired. When the trees are of the pine tribe, 

 and the roots not very large, oxen will be more profitable than 

 steam power. 



Dynamite (Noble's Patent Blasting Powder) is now being used 

 with good results in removing roots, but it is too expensive for 

 general use ; but where the roots are very large, it will be found to 

 answer well, as when placed underneath the root it has the effect 

 of blowing out the soil, which facilitates the application of the 

 tackle and removal of the roots. 



The cost of clearing by the steam-engine is from £A to £5 per 

 acre; smaller roots, by oxen or horse power, about the same. 

 Clearing tree-roots by dynamite costs from £10 to .£12 per acre, but 



