APPLICATION OF THE SYSTEM. 23 



knife under the arm in a position from which it can- 

 not easily be dislodged in climbing (Fig. 19). To in- 

 sure greater safety in climbing tall trees, a stout cord 

 attached to the workman's waist may be fastened 

 round the trunk in such a manner as to prevent, in 

 case of accident, a dangerous fall. A hatchet is use- 



Fig. 18. Pruning knife Fig. 19. Pruning knife 



carried at the waiat. carried under the arm. 



ful, and facilitates the operation of pruning ; it may 

 be used with one or both hands, and serves to lop off 

 large branches, protuberances on the trunk, or the 

 dead stumps of branches, which from their hardness 

 would soon dull the edge of the best pruning knife. 

 A saw, too, is very useful in cutting large branches, 

 but it requires so much practice to use this tool skil- 

 fully that it cannot be generally recommended. 



Ladders. Each laborer should be equipped with a 

 light ladder, proportionate to the height of the tree 

 on which he is to operate, and broader at the base 

 than at the top. De Courval recommends that 



