CHAPTER XXXI 

 BLASTING AND BURNING TREE ROOTS 



BLASTING by gunpowder or dynamite is not only the most 

 expeditious but also the cheapest method of clearing away 

 tree stumps and large logs. In preparing to blast a stump, 

 great care must be exercised to bore the hole in the right 

 place and not to use too much explosive. For blasting 

 powder the hole should be Ij in. in diameter, and should 

 penetrate to the centre of the stump. It must not be too 

 low down, lest the bottom should blow out and the force 

 be expended in shattering the ground instead of the stump 

 or log. In selecting the spot to bore for the powder, choose 

 the hardest part of the root and ensure an equal thickness 



BLASTING AND BURNING TREE ROOTS 



of wood all round, and even splitting of the log will be the 

 result. The following is a good way of putting in the 

 powder : For large stumps of from 2 ft. to 4 ft. in diameter 

 about 3 1 in. depth of coarse blasting powder should be 

 inserted in a hole 1| in. in diameter. The end of the fuse 

 should be put into the centre of the powder, and left pro- 

 truding for 15 in. outside the hole, which is filled with 

 dry sand, consolidated, or packed around the fuse by means 



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