152 THE farmers' handbook. 



long, and 6 to 8 inches wide. At one end an iron shoe with turned-up edge 

 is securely bolted. This is necessary to " bite " into the recess cut in the side 

 of the tree, and prevent slipping. At this end the board is about 2 inches 

 thick, but it tapers to about 11 inches at the other end. Red cedar is prized 

 amongst expert axemen for the purpose. It is tough and light, and with the 

 imprints of nails from the boots, affords sure foothold for the men whilst at 



work. Where hardwood timber has to be 

 employed, the "board'' maybe reduced to 

 1 inch in thickness as it is essential that the 

 springboard be light as well as tough. It 



J> has to be lifted and placed in position, or 



~h lowered, with one hand, the other being 

 engaged in holding: on to the tree ; and 

 should the tree crack unexpectedly and 

 commence to fall, the descent has to be made 

 very quickly. 



Another form of platform is sometimes- 

 Showing how the spring-board use( J m the form of a trestle, but the one 

 leverage on the outer end described is more serviceable and universally 

 t" » Su."?.^.? it^Sot U8ed b -V expert axemen, and it may be- 

 slip. adapted to any tree and at any height. 



Drive-trees. 



When possible, a "drive" tree should be used. A number of trees are 

 cut half-way through, or a little more, and left standing. Then the drive 

 tree, which is usually a large one, is felled so as to strike its partially-cut 

 neighbour and snap it off. This one in turn strikes others, and if favoured 

 with a suitable wind, trees covering from one to several acres in extent may 

 be brought down at once. Occasionally trees " miss," and have to be gone 

 over again. 



Scrub-felling is dangerous work, and should never be undertaken by a man 

 alone. A quick eye and keen ear are indispensable, and even with the best 

 judgment, a tree may snap unexpectedly, or rebound off another. The tools 

 must have keen edges, and be kept in good order by occasional use of the- 

 grindstones, and more frequent application of the small carborundum stone. 



Burning. 



The length of time required for drying before burning is governed by 

 several factors, viz., elevation, season, size and thickness of timber, whether 

 isolated or surrounded by other brush, the area felled in one block, and the 

 date of felling. Some settlers prefer to allow the scrub to lie for eighteen 

 months before firing, which means that the burn takes place the second 

 summer after felling. The more general practice is, however, to fire during 

 favourable weather the first summer after felling, the drying period thus 

 ranging from seven to about ten months, which is ample for all the leaves, 

 light branches and smaller trees to become sufficiently dry for burning. An 

 additional twelve months means that the larger timber is dry and will burn 

 more readily, but the leaves and light twigs and branches have been destroyed 

 by the weather, and there is an additional undergrowth of suckers from the 

 stumps and other green vegetation, which rather retards the free advance 

 of. a good fire. The. leaves and small branches favour a good sweeping fire,. 



