212 



quire much twisting and pulling before the parts are finally separ- 

 ated. The application of kerosene to the wooden parts of all farm 

 machinery that is much exposed to the weather has a most bene- 

 ficial effect in preserving it, and will repay the slight cost of 

 material and labour. 



The spades and shovels required by the settler require no des- 

 cription, though care should be taken in selecting them. A spade 

 costs from 45. to 53. 6d., and shovels, long or short-handled, round- 

 mouthed or square, 33. 6d. each. A digging fork may well be 

 added to the outfit at a cost of 45., as it will be found useful in 

 clearing up and putting together the small scrub and under-ground 

 blackboys preparatory to burning them. 



The cross-cut saw had better be of the old-fashioned peg-tooth 

 type, unless the settler has some knowledge of the lightning-tooth 

 saws, which are not easy for the amateur to sharpen. Anyone of 

 ordinary intelligence can put an edge on the old type of saw with a 

 flat file. Saws of this or the lightning kind may be had as fol- 

 lows : 4^ ft., us. 6d.; 5 ft., 12s.; 5^ ft., 135.; 6 ft., 145. 6d.; 6^ ft., 

 i6s. each. Flat files cost yd. each. 



The tomahawk, with hammer-head attached, is the handiest of 

 tools, and no outfit is complete without it. Price, 33. The grind- 

 stone is an absolute necessity. Prices vary according to the size, 

 and may be quoted approximately as follows : 12 inch, 33. 9d. ; 

 14 inch, 45.; 1 6 inch, 45. 9d.; 18 inch, 6s.; 20 inch, 75.; 23 inch, 8s. ; 

 24 inch, us. each. Fittings, 45. per set. 



There is no necessity to go in for an elaborate standard treadle 

 arrangement. A good strong spindle and handle or crank is all 

 that is required, and two stakes well set in the ground, or a stake 

 and a friendly tree or stump, will do for the stand. It is always 

 advisable to keep the grindstone covered. This little attention 

 adds years to its life and always makes it more satisfactory to use. 

 Care should be taken in grinding tools, particularly heavy ones like 

 axes, to keep an even surface on the stone, not to wear it away 

 unduly either on the one side or the other, or, as is more com- 

 monly done, in the centre. Should this occur, the stone can be set 

 right again by using a piece of square steel rod, pressing it firmly 

 and squarely against the grinding face of the stone, which is turned 

 meanwhile until the stone is ground true again. In mounting the 

 stone an almost everlasting lubricant can be secured it a piece of 

 bacon rind is laid fat side up in the sockets and under the Spindle. 

 It is surprising how long this simple and effective device will last, 

 even under heavy pressure, as in the case of windlasses used for 

 drawing water from wells. 



A six foot octagonal steel crow-bar, which may be purchased 

 for 8s. 6d., and a few carpenter's tools, will complete the settler's 

 initial outfit. A claw hammer, three chisels, ^, J, and i^ inch, a 

 cold chisel, two saws, files for same, saw set, a biace and an assort- 

 ment of bits, an acl/e, a jack and a smoothing plane, if the slab hut 



