64 Use of Sheep and Fire. 
In the case of evergreens, as stated by Mr. Scranton, the 
cutting should be just before the coldest weather, in which they 
are the nearest dormant, the length of time before they can put 
leaves out again kills them. Evergreens, however, differ much 
in tenacity of life, for while most kinds are easily killed, the 
California redwood will endure almost any abuse with ax or 
fire and still spring up repeatedly and persistently for years. 
The Use of Sheep on Sprovts.—On sprouting brush, there is, 
perhaps, no cheaper or more effective means of repression than 
sheep and goats. They are used after the top growth is cleared 
away instead of grubbing, if one can wait, for by their persistent 
cutting down of growth, the small stumps and roots will decay 
enough in a year or two to be plowed out with a strong team 
and plow. 
Burning of the Debris—However the trees and underbrush 
may be wrenched from the soil, fire is the final clearer. Where 
trees are to be worked up into fire-wood, it should be done as 
soon as they are felled, for the work is much less than after they 
become dry and hard. If it is not designed to break the land the 
first winter, the wood is left to season and it becomes lighter and 
easier to handle. The brush and roots, if no use is to be made 
of them. can be left to lie on the clearing to dry out during the 
following summer, and after the first rains of the following fall 
the whole area can be burned over. Such stumps as do not 
burn with the brush must be gathered in piles and re-fired. 
Burning before the first rain should not be attempted, unless it 
be in exceptional situations, because of the danger of comimuni- 
cating fire to the surrounding country, which is a standing dan- 
ger in our dry climate. After the rain, then, clean up the 
ground perfectly. 
First Crop on a Clearing.—lIt is the opinion of some clearers 
in the redwood region that the soil is not fit for fruit trees the 
first year after the original growth is removed, and they grow a 
field crop the first year. They claim that peas are the best cor- 
rective of “redwood poisoning,’ and fortunately in the upper 
redwood district they have a climate well suited to the pea. 
Whether their theory is right or not, their practise is of advan- 
tage, because they get a better cultivation and aeration of the 
soil, and kill out much of the sprouting from the old roots, 
which is usually quite persistent in the moister parts of the State. 
Usually the tree and vine planter is in such haste to realize from 
his labor that he does not allow the first year to go for any side 
issue. 
Surface Leveling and Draining.—There is often occasion to 
clear the land of stone and rocks. The latter should be blasted 
out of the way so that the land may be clear for the plow and 
