THE FARM HOLDING. 



131 



The side from which the tree will be pulled will depend upon the shape and 

 lean of the tree, the slope of the land, the direction of winds, If any, and the 

 nearness or otherwise of anchor-trees. 



When the ground is soft and in good order, as is the case after or during rains, 

 green trees up to 2 feet in diameter may be pulled down, taking almost every 

 root with them, without easing; and dry trees of any size with sound barrels 

 may be pulled down. If the ground is dry and hard, or the trees are extra 

 large, it will be found necessary to ease them by removing the soil around the 

 butt of the tree to a depth of a couple of feet, and perhaps cut some of the 

 larger roots. It will thus be seen how important it is to take advantage of 

 any wel weather, thus effecting a great saving of labour. Five men and a pair 

 of steady horses could pull down about 5 acres of ordinary box timber in a day. 



Fig. 9.— Manual tree-hau!ing gear 



•' 



In the case of stumps, or trees with hollow or defective barrels, they should be 

 grubbed round well before commencing to pull, as there is often not the same 

 leverage obtainable, and should the tree break off level with the ground, the 

 butts and roots would have to be taken out in the ordinary way, thus necessi- 

 tating a great deal of extra labour. 



All blind stumps and roots that may have been cut in easing the trees are then 

 taken out to a depth of 18 inches from the surface — a depth that will not inter- 

 fere with future ploughing, and, if necessary, subsoiling of the area. These 

 should be taken out thoroughly. 



The tackle illustrated in Fig. 9 has been found very useful where the 

 -trees are of a moderate size. It does not help so far as opening out about the 

 main roots and cutting them through are concerned, but it saves worrying 



