146 THE farmers' handbook. 



detonator and a foot of fuse, would total fourpence halfpenny (4Jd.). After 

 firing this charge it may be found that excessive shattering has taken place, 

 and it is decided to cut the charge under the next hip root down to two plugs ; 

 this, with one detonator and 1 foot of fuse, represents threepence halfpenny 

 (3|d.). The shattering from the first charge may even have been so extensive 

 as to allow of the second hip root being missed altogether. Presuming, 

 however, that the two-plug charge effects sufficient shattering, and that it 

 is decided to maintain the two plugs for the remainder of the stump, and 

 that finally a hole is bored with the wood auger into the barrel of the stump 

 (If it has not already been split about), and place therein two plugs, using 

 also a detonator and 2 feet of fuse, totalling fourpence (4d.), the total 

 explosives used for this stump (with its five hip roots) will thus be thirteen 

 plugs of gelignite, six No. 6 detonators, and 7 feet of fuse, and the total cost 

 Is. lOJd. In actual practice this cost may be even further reduced. 



Another way of handling this stump, which woidd save a little time and 

 explosives, perhaps* though leaving the complete shattering more to chance, 

 would be to put a bulb -bar hole down 4 feet directly under the centre of the 

 stump, and "bull." Into this "bulling,'' say, ten plugs may be placed, 

 all in one charge, and tamped with paper wad, as described on page 142. 

 This would make the explosion utilise ten plugs, one detonator, and 4 feet 

 of fuse, a total cost of Is. Id. Each method needs considering as the subject 

 crops up, however, for both are likely to give satisfactory results under 

 favourable conditions. 



Blowing out green timber is not advocated, but it may at times be 

 advisable, and a typical case will be given as to costs, &c. 



Two green box trees, with ample branch area, had to be removed. One 

 was 3 feet 6 inches diameter at the ground level, and under it three holes 

 were put with a bulb bar, 4 feet deep and all " bulled." The bar was driven 

 at an angle of about 45 degrees, starting about 18 inches from the trunk, so 

 as to locate the charge in each of the three cases directly under the part of 

 the tree most strongly held on that side ; the three holes, when " bulled," 

 were probably all within a radius of 18 inches at the " bulled " level. Into 

 one hole thirteen plugs were placed, whilst the other two had nine plugs each, 

 the thirteen-plug hole being on the heavier side of tree. All these holes 

 were tamped with paper wads, and were fired electrically, the tree being 

 blown out and down at a cost of thirty-one plugs and three electric detonators 

 at 3d. each, or a total cost of 3s. 4d. for explosives only ; the time occupied 

 would be about an hour. 



The other tree was a " twinned " green box, some 4 feet 6 inches long by 

 3 feet wide at ground level, under which were placed three holes, two of 

 which were " bulled " ; the other hole was a tap-root one, and consequently 

 could not be " bulled " in the timber. Into the tap-root hole ten plugs 

 and into the " bulled " holes fifteen plugs each, were placed, making a 

 total of forty plugs, with three electric detonators. In this case the tree 

 was blown out and down at a cost of 4s. Id. for explosives only. In both 

 instances there was ample evidence of overcharging, the barrels being split 

 up about 15 feet and the trees being blown several feet away from where 

 they had been growing — a happening that is almost inseparable from blowing 

 trees right out. It may be mentioned that for dead trees the operation 

 would be similar in every detail, except that probably 25 per cent, less 

 gelignite would be used. 



