592 



PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURE. 



Part III. 



to make an incision in the bark, which is done all along the side of the tree which happens 

 to be uppermost, in a straight line : and as two barkers are generally employed at one tree, it 

 is proper, that whilst the one is employed in making an incision with the mallet, as above, 

 the other being furnished with the barking-bill {Jig. 460 a), cuts the bark across the tree, 

 in lengths of from two feet six inches to three feet. Having thus made the incision in 

 tlie bark, both ways, tlie barkers being also each furnished with peeling irons of different 

 sorts [bf c, (1, e), if the tree or piece of timber to be barked is such as the two barkers 



can easily lift one end of it, this is placed on two pieces of wood three feet long, and 

 called horses ; these are about the thickness of a paling-stake, and have a forked end 

 on each about six inches long, the other end sharpened to go into the ground ; two of 

 these horses are placed in a triangular form against one another, one end of the piece to 

 be peeled being raised on the horses, the two barkers standing opposite to each other, and 

 entering the peeling-irons into the incision made by the mallet, and pressing the iron 

 downwards between the bark and the timber. In this way it will be found very easy to 

 take the bark off in one whole piece round the tree; and, if possible, let these pieces be 

 as long as the incisions made in the bark. In some cases, where there is not much sap, 

 the bark may require a little beating witli the square end of the mallet, to cause it to 

 separate easily from the wood; but the less beating with the mallet the better, asit has a 

 tendency to blacken the bark in the inside, or fleshy part of it, so that when the tanner 

 sees it, he supposes it to be damaged, and undervalues it. Tlie branches of the tree be- 

 ing previously all lopped off with the axe, the persons, in number according to the extent 

 of the work, with the bill smooth all the branches, cutting them in lengths of from two 

 feet six inches to three feet, down as small as one inch in circumference. The barkers, 

 principally women, are each provided with a smooth hard stone of about six or eight 

 pounds weight, beside which they sit down, and having collected a quantity of saplings, 

 branches, or twigs, they hold it on the stone with one hand, and with the mallet in the 

 other, they beat the piece till the bark be split from the wood, from the one end to the 

 other, and taking it off all the length of the piece, if possible, then lay it regularly aside, 

 till a bundle of considerable size is formed." 



3749. Drying the bark. The point most particularly to be observed in this art is, 

 putting the bark up to dry ; which is done by setting it upon what is called the 

 lofts or ranges. These are erected by taking forked pieces of the loppings, called horses, 

 the one three feet long, the other two feet six inches, and driving each about four inches 

 into the ground, opposite one another, about two feet asunder in the breadth, and as 

 much betwixt them, lengthways, as will admit long small pieces of wood to be put upon 

 them, and as many of these must be put together as will hold the bark of every day's 

 peeling. These ought to be erected in as dry and elevated a spot as can be found 

 in the margin of the wood, or better on its outside. The bark being carried and 

 laid on this loft, with the thick ends of it all laid to the high side of the range, and 

 the small bark laid on to the thickness of about six inches ; and the bark taken off 

 the largest of the wood laid regularly on the top, which serves for a covering, and 

 the lofts or ranges having a declivity of about six inches, the rain will run off them 

 readily, and if properly put up in this manner, they will kee^ out a great deal of 

 rain. After it has lain in this state for three days, if the weather is good and dry, 

 it ought to be all turned over, and the small bark spread out, so as not to allow it 

 to sit together, which, if much pressed, it is apt to do ; and if it does so with the 

 natural sap in it, it has a chance of moulding, which is extremely hurtful to the bark, 

 and both lessens it in weight and in value. After the bark has stood on the ranges 

 about eight or ten days, if the weather be good, it may either be put into a house or a 

 shed, or if intended to be put up into a stack, it may now be done. A stack of bark 

 ought never to exceed eight feet in width, and twelve or fifteen feet in height, raised 

 in the middle like a haystack. If it is to stand any length of time in the stack, it ought 

 to be thatched, and in that state may remain all winter. The greatest care ought to be 

 taken to preserve the color of the inner parts of the bark, because the color of it is gene- 

 rally looked to as a principal criterion of its value. Before being put into the stack, 



