THE FARM HOLDING. 



127 



The root Bystem having been opened up, the first thing to do is to cut 



through, or partially through (with as wide a cut as possible), the roots on 

 the side towards which the tree leans (see Fig. 1). If there is a taproot, a 

 cut should be made into it as far as possible on this side. Explosives are very 

 useful at this stage, inasmuch as an auger hole can be bored in the taproot 

 and gelignite employed to sever it. 



Meanwhile the roots on the other side being intact will hold the tree, thus 

 enabling the workman to operate in security. All the cutting possible 

 having been completed on the side to which the tree leans, the roots on the 

 other side are followed a bit further out, and severed one bv one. Nothing 



Fig. 1. — Showing how large-headed trees can be canted with lever. 



is gained by cutting these latter roots close in to the tree. On the contrary,. 

 the further they can be followed the better, especially if tackle is used, or if 

 the tree has a decided lean or there happens to be a favourable wind. As 

 shown in the illustration, a long sapling, used as a lever, can sometimes be 

 employed with advantage to cant the tree. 



The manual labour involved in clearing land thoroughly by hand is very 

 heavy, and for the man who is dependent on immediate returns most costly 

 in the long run. Indeed, it would pay a man better to defer building a 

 cottage, and to camp in a tent for six months or a year, so as to have the 

 money for pushing forward with the clearing. Some of the clearing can be 

 done by degrees as opportunity occurs, but it will always be most profitable 

 to get at least half of it done so as to catch the autumn or spring season for 

 sowing a crop which can be growing while the rest of the work is in progress. 



Winch Grubbers and Jacks. 



Such machines as the jack, " forest devil," and winch grubber, can now 

 be had for a comparatively small outlay, and they are capable of doing all 

 that is claimed of them, providing they are properly handled. 



