308 FELLING. 



the ground after the bole is cut off, yields to the 

 action of the beetle and wedges, pickaxe, and dog- 

 iron, much more readily than if lying loose on the 

 surface. Besides, in the attempt to fell a large tree 

 in this way, much time is lost in endeavouring to 

 reach the " tap roots," while the tree is expected 

 every instant to fall. 



Felling with the saw is therefore the preferable 

 mode, and the manner of doing it is as follows : The 

 workmen first fix where the tree can be most conve- 

 niently thrown ; this is determined by there being a 

 proper opening to receive the head, and without fear 

 of damaging other trees in its fall, and also that the 

 branches of the tree to be felled are so balanced as to 

 number and weight, as not to swing the tree aside 

 while falling to the ground. These circumstances 

 considered, a deep triangular notch is cut at the 

 bottom of the bole ; on the side next to and at right 

 angles to the line along which the tree is intended 

 to be laid. This notch is called " the fall,'* and 

 requires some judgment in forming, because its incli- 

 nation entirely regulates the fall of the tree. The 

 base of the butt is then hewn down perpendicularly 

 all round, the projections of the spurs cut away as 

 low as the horizontal face of the fall, so that a plane 

 is formed on which the saw traverses flatly in its 

 progress through the stem. (Fig. 60.) 



