144 FOEESTEY WOEK 



point, if they are not lightened, they are apt to break 

 away very quickly, tearing not only the bark, but also 

 a strip of sapwood as well. 



The undercut should be made as deep as the saw can 

 be worked without risk of getting it fixed. 



The stump must be cut off flush with the stem. 



When a saw is used, it always leaves a rough surface, 

 which must be smoothed off with a sharp knife, pruning 

 hook, or chisel, to prevent lodgment of water. 



As mentioned above, all cut surfaces should be covered 

 with tar. To thin it down to make it easy of application 

 a small quantity of paraffin may be used. It should be 

 well brushed into all small cracks or crevices. 



Cleaning Ditches. 



To prevent the ditches being choked and thus water- 

 loc'ging the soil, they should be cleaned whenever neces- 

 sary. In some cases, with main drains particularly, this 

 may be once or even twice a year, but in any case all 

 drains should be looked to every two years. It is often 

 quicker and cheaper to clean a ditch twice in four years 

 than to do it once dm'ing the same period. A light 

 square-mouthed shovel about 9 to 10 inches wide is the 

 handiest tool for the work, as it has more " hft " than 

 a spade and holds the dirt better, which is a great help, 

 especially if there is much water. 



The soil or leaves taken out must be thrown well back 

 from the edge of the ditch, and not placed on the edge, 

 where its weight, by helping to break down the sides, 

 may finally carry it back into the ditch. 



