314 FELLING. 



gate-post, much grated and worn by wheels, to be 

 satisfied of the other. 



Felling Underwood. Underwood is felled perio- 

 dically at intervals of five, ten, or more years, 

 according to the superior growth of the stuff, or the 

 purpose for which it is wanted. In value it varies 

 from 51. to lo/. per acre, according to the size or age 

 of the fall. A thriving underwood of mixed, useful, 

 kinds, may be felled every seventh year, and yield a 

 variety of produce, as hop and hurdle poles ; mop, 

 rake, and broom handles ; long rods for crate and 

 basket making ; hoops and headers for fencing ; five 

 feet and four feet stakes for ditto ; withes, pea-sticks, 

 and fagots. 



The woodman begins by cutting down hand 

 smooth, every shoot, as low and as smoothly off the 

 stubs as possible ; laying the stuff indiscriminately, 

 in large heaps, behind him. This he performs with 

 a stout bill-hook, and a light narrow axe. When he 

 has cleared a sufficient space so that carrying the 

 stuff to the heaps is no longer convenient he next 

 proceeds to trimming. With a light, keen, trimming 

 bill, he takes the first pole, rod, or stake that comes 

 to hand, and having trimmed and cut it to the 

 greatest, or desired length, throws it to the place 

 intended for all of the same description. Thus he 

 proceeds till he has trimmed all that is down ; occa- 

 sionally fagoting up the brush as it accumulates in 

 his way. The next step is tying up the stuff; poles 

 are taled and sold by the hundred, but not tied 



