33 



mences work. The stump-jump plough is, however, an expensive 

 item a double-furrow costing about =17, and a treble-furrow 

 23 the small settler will be hardly able to afford, and unless he 

 can get the work done by contract, an ordinary single-furrow plough 

 will have to be called into requisition. Ploughing only partially 

 cleared land with a single-furrow rigid plough is a most exhilarat- 

 ing, but not altogether satisfactory, operation, but still it can be 

 done with a little care and without damaging the implement. If 

 the land is to be cleared outright at once, which is by far the best 

 way, if time and means permit, the settler must gird up his 

 loins and make up his mind to tackle the job bravely. If a 

 big tree has to be got out, it is no use playing round the 



THE 



WRONG 

 WAY 



roots. Dig the soil away well round the tree, so that you 

 have plenty of room to work. There is nothing gained by chopping 

 off the roots close by the trunk, for you must remember that every 

 root has to be traced until it is well out of the way of the plough that 

 is to follow clearing. Again, the tap root has to be got at, and this 

 cannot be done unless you give yourself ample room to work round and 

 under the tree. If the tree has plenty of top, when the main lateral 

 roots are cut, in all probability it will fall ; but if there is little or no 

 top, then either the tap root will have to be cut, or the agency of fire 

 will have to be invoked. Don't be too ready with the fire stick. 

 Grub well round the tree to the full depth before you think of start- 

 ing the fire. Once you have started your fire, do not think of 

 letting it go out. Clearing is not eight-hours-a-day work. Last 

 thing at night and first thing in the morning the fires have to be 

 gone round and put together. A sapling from six to seven feet 

 long is used as a lever for putting the logs together whilst burning. 

 A second and more expeditious method of clearing is by means 

 of a tree-puller or " forest devil." Several of these machines, both 

 for horse and man power, have been invented and perfected in this 

 State, and will be found satisfactory in every way. Where clearing 



