31 
gether 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, 
? 
Weighs aks 
i Lustusastiinn; 5 huge 
YAS 
it is no use playing round the 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 eut, 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 starting 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 foand satisfactory in everv way. Where 
clearing has to be done quickly and on a large scale, the tree-puller 
is almost indispensable; but on a small piece of land, and especially 
when it is intended for vines or fruit trees, I am inclined to think 
