CLEAEING THE CROP 149 



which will vary in depth according to the size of the 

 tree, and also to the degree that the tree may be leaning. 

 A shallow face in a badly leaning tree would result in 

 the latter sphtting. 



Fig. 14. — A Tree Laid in and Faced. 



In laying in a tree, care must be taken to keep the 

 work low and level, otherwise valuable timber may be 

 wasted and sawing be made more difficult. A good 

 axeman should be able to lay in perfectly level all round 

 the tree. 



There is an art in using an axe- — in fact, it may be 

 said that an axeman is born, but very seldom made. 

 Some lads get into the way at their first attempt, others 

 will be years at it, and still be as stiff and stilted as when 

 they started. Axeing needs a natural swing and a 

 lissom back. 



The handle must not be gripped too tightly by the 

 hand at the end, but just tight enough to prevent it 

 slipping and to give force to the blow. The other hand 

 should hardly grip at all, but be used to guide the axe. 



The downward stroke in laying in is easily acquired, 

 but in making the cutting out or level stroke the back 



