The helper has made deep oblique holes under the stump singled out for execution with a round 

 crowbar or chisel-ended piece cf pipe. This is one of the most important parts of the work. The 

 holes should be as nearly horizontal as possible and directly under the stump, that all the explosive 

 force ma,y be expended on the wood and not on the earth between the dynamite and the stump, for 

 earth acts as a cushion and the natural tendency of dynamite to exert force downward is accentuated. 



Small stumps up to 4 feet require about one-half pound, while large ones, say 6 to 8 feet in diameter, 

 require 3 pounds of the explosive, which is placed in several separate holes surrounding the stump. 

 When a stump requires separate charges, in order to secure united effort the electric spark is used, the 

 wires attached to the sticks of dynamite are connected, and this circle of wire attached to battery wire 

 about -00 feet long. This main wire is stretched to its limit and attached to the magneto battery. 

 At the word "fire," the plunger of the battery is sent home to the base, closing the circuit and sending 

 the spark generated to the caps, thus the several sticks of dynamite are simultaneously exploded. It 

 is a grand and wonderful sight, and I doubt if many women have had the pleasure and privilege of send- 

 ing the spark to a stump of live chestnut which measured 7J^ feet in diameter and in an instant making 

 of a waste place a bit of ground capable of taking its place in the world's work and ready to grow many 

 blades of grass where none had grown before. 



Fourteen fuse charges are placed under as many stumps; the method of placing, by the way, is 

 to lower the charge into the oblique hole, press it steadily and firmly with a blunt ended stick until 

 expanded to the full size of the crowbar hole, then fill up the hole with earth and tramp it firmly, that 

 no explosive gases may find a loophole of escape. Each loaded stump is then marked by a stick or 

 branch. 



Two men light these fuses, which are cut a thirty-second length (about a foot and a half of fuse 

 burns this time). A match is touched to each fuse, which has been slightly opened at the end that the 

 powder may be exposed and catch fire quickly. When the 14 fuses are all lighted the men take to 

 their heels and flee for their lives. 



They always reach a distance of 100 feet and often more, for it is the longest thirty-seconds one 

 can conceive. At the first uplifting noise and shock they glance backward, ready to dodge any kindling 

 wood coming their way. When they have run a safe distance they turn and face the stumps, counting 

 carefully each explosion and watching the flying pieces, that they may net be hit. Dynamiter Kissam 

 has never had an accident, and I trust he never will. 



Then follows a mcst delightful Fourth of July fire cracker exhibition on a large scale. Roots are 

 thrown up out of sight and return to earth a hundred or more feet from the place in which they grew, 

 while the air is filled with minute fragments of wood and powdered earth. The record for stump 

 blowing is 130 in one day, when 84 pounds dynamite was used. Three men can remove thoroughly 

 one to three stumps in one day by the use of the mattock, ax, and shovel. 



But to return to the farm. Work pushed steadily on and as soon as a small strip was blown, the 

 Italians came in gathering up all the stumps, roots, and fragments, removing any pieces that might be 

 loosened, but not completely torn out and piling them at intervals and immediately burning them. 

 This is a process that cannot take place when stumps are removed by any other method, for by the 

 digging process the earth must be picked and scraped from them and ultimately the stumps chopped or 

 split in pieces before they will burn. 



By the method pursued the stump is burned and the ashes spread upon the ground in a few hours 

 after they are blown out. By this process is obtained the finest kind of unleached wood ashes, nature's 

 best fertilizer, containing vegetable lime to "sweeten" and potash and phosphoric acid to furnish plant 

 food. 



The two condenmed freight cars had been placed in position and the Italians made themselves 

 thoroughly at home. In fact, they seemed supremely happy there. Larry and Tony had partitioned 

 off a portion of their car for a bedroom, while a "hot stove" was placed in the remaining portion, which 

 served as kitchen and dining-room. 



The rest of the men made bunks along the walls and an "eat stove" filled their cup of happiness 

 to overflowing. We made it a custom to say good morning and good night to every man and to learn 

 the name of each one; they soon became bright faced, polite, eager to please, and extremely faithful. 

 In fact, each one came to us asking to go out to work there again in the spring. As the days grew shorter 

 they asked to be allowed to make a full day and get full pay. We were only too glad to have them do 

 so, but didn't see exactly how they could manage it. They were up with the first streaks of dawn and 

 and cut the dinner time down more and more, working on until it became dark. 



Their meals are curious and interesting: a dish of red peppers and a half a loaf of rye bread for 

 breakfast, half a loaf of dry bread for dinner, and for supper a good pan full of macaroni and beans 

 and tomatoes. During all the time they were there they ate no meat and were well and happy without 

 it. Tony cut his foot badly with the ax once, but kept at work just the same. 



While the work was progressing, much thought had been expended upon the soil and its needs. 

 There was no top soil or humus; forest fires had robbed the plot completely of this valuable element. 

 'Tis worse than a pity, 'tis unpardonable negligence on the part cf landholders to neglect their fire lines. 

 In the olden days ditches were dug around all boundaries and were kept free from dead leaves and dry 

 matter which would carry fire. Now no one thinks either of ditching or keeping the old ditches clean, 

 so that fires starting from a carelessly thrown match and various other causes, sweep from the Sound 

 to the Ocean, many times utterly destroying small farms and threatening villages in their path. 



We were thoroughly convinced that the soil contained all the elements of plant food and that 

 it was of extremely good quality. Oaks and chestnuts will not grow seven feet in diameter unless 

 this be true; also it requires good soil to produce a forest with from 300 to 700 trees per acre, none 

 under 18 inches in diameter. We also knew the forest land is always sour. That is, it has been shaded 

 so much, the sweetening powers of sun and air have been denied it. The fact that this piece had been 

 burned over aided a trifle, as the sun could reach the soil somewhat; further, the ashes produced from 

 the burned stumps would help. Long Island wood ashes contain, however, but about 5% lime (the 



14 



