TENDING THE PLANTATIONS 143 



is placed against the underside of the branch, and sharp 

 blows with a mallet are given to the lower end of the 

 pole, which is usually fitted with an iron cap to prevent 

 splitting. Care should be taken not to drive the chisel 

 into the bark of the stem after severing the branch. 

 Tree-pruners, or averuncators, are also very useful for 

 high branches, but the latter cannot be cut off quite so 

 close with these as with a chisel. For shortening strag- 

 gling branches they are invaluable. The tree-pruner con- 

 sists of a curved knife working against a double claw, 

 which is hooked over the branch, the knife being worked 

 by a lever pulling on a steel rod or cord. 



For larger branches, one of heavier make is used, 

 worked on the ratchet principle, and is extremely 

 powerful. 



Pole saws are used when the branches are too big for 

 the pruners or chisel. The most useful ones are slightly 

 curved, with the teeth facing downwards, so that all the 

 cutting is done on the downward stroke. Branches cut 

 off with the pole saw should previously be undercut with 

 a chisel, and also, if heavy, should first be cut off 2 or 

 3 feet away from the stem, to prevent them, when nearly 

 cut through, from breaking off and tearing the bark from 

 the tree. 



When a hand-saw is necessary, the undercut may be 

 made with it, and the sawn piece cut out with a hand- 

 bill. 



Very large boughs should first of all be stripped of as 

 many branches as possible, before being cut off 3 or 4 feet 

 from the stem, as even when they are cut off at this 



