128 HOME LIFE IN FLORIDA. 



stand just where you want to plant a tree ; therefore it is 

 always best to have a clear course. It will cost from fifteen 

 to twenty cents each to get out the stumps, but it is cheaper 

 in the end. 



Another plan of removing trees, which costs less, and is 

 quite as effectual as the other, is to attack the tree at once 

 at the root. A hole is dug on one side of the tree, em- 

 bracing about one half its circumference. The roots on 

 that side are all cut off, fire is then applied, and when the 

 tap root is burned off the tree topples over, dragging out 

 the roots on the opposite side. So here are tree, stump, 

 and roots got rid of all at one operation. It remains then 

 to burn uj) the tree and fill up the hole, and the land is 

 ready for the plow for all time to come ; no more falling 

 branches, no trees, no stumps. 



This process costs from twenty to thirty dollars per acre ; 

 not more, not so much, indeed, as first cutting and burn- 

 ing the trees and then digging out and burning the stumps. 



The land cleared, plowing comes next in order. This 

 can be done for three dollars per acre, not a high charge 

 for breaking up new land, as it is no easy or quick work 

 even in our light Florida soil. 



Rails for fencing are split from the pine trees, at a cost 

 of one dollar per hundred. It is well to have the rails 

 split before the trees are burned, as, among the trees cut 

 down, there will be found many fit for splitting. No mat- 

 ter how plentiful Avood may be for the time being, it is not 

 wise to waste what will be needed later on. Another thing 

 we would note in this connection : among the fallen pines 

 will be found many logs suitable for household fuel, and 

 these should be stacked up for future use. 



Hauling the rails and building the fence will cost fifty 

 cents per hundred. The total cost of fencing one acre is 

 sixteen dollars and fifty cents. 



