Farming with Dynamite 509 



(2) To blast out for removal, boulders, or 

 rocks, and especially tree stumps, whereby not 

 only is the risk of root disease removed, but, 

 what is of great importance, the ground is left 

 in a state to be easily and properly ploughed ; 

 which otherwise would be impossible in a satis- 

 factory manner, if the stumps or rocks were left 

 in situ. 



(3) For clearing the soil of pests, destroying 

 ants' nests, or rabbit warrens, &c., as well as 

 for regenerating and aerating hard or worn- 

 out soils generally as the sugar-lands on some 

 of the West Indian estates, which are not 

 ploughed, but only hoed ; i.e., the surface only 

 is scratched over, but the hard pan sub-soil is 

 left year after year, and so becomes water- 

 logged and airless ; hence dangerous. 



(4) For throwing up the soil for drains, 

 especially deep gullies, and facilitating its 

 removal by ploughs or hand. 



(5) For making holes for tree planting, and 

 at the same time loosening the soil, which is 

 a great advantage ; also for fence-post holes, 

 or for setting uprights for buildings, &c., in 

 position. 



(6) For well-boring or well-torpedoing i.e., 

 for increasing the flow from an artesian well 

 by exploding a charge at the bottom to widen 

 the aperture, and break up the ground, in 

 order to let further supplies of water (or oil, 

 if an oil-well) come through. 



As time goes on, many other uses on the 



