THINNING MIXED PLANTATIONS. 



187 



9 inches diameter at bottom, they are more- econo- 

 mically cut by means of the saw, hook, and rope 

 (see fig. 5). This, though a very simple and unim- 

 portant-like implement, is yet as useful and economical 

 as any other used in forestry. It 

 consists of three parts — viz.. A, the 

 hook, which is made of inch-round 

 malleable iron, with a ring to attach 

 a strong rope to, and socket into 

 which to put the sharp end of the 

 pole to put the hook round the tree 

 immediately above a branch; and 

 there it remains hanging tiU the 

 tree is nearly cut through, when 

 the rope £ is taken hold of by one 

 of the two men, who usually work 

 in pairs at such thinning, and draws 

 the tree into its proper 

 place, so as not to in- 

 jure any of the standing 

 trees. The pole 0, it 

 will be observed, is not 

 in any way fastened to 

 the socket, but simply 

 slipped in to hoist the 

 hook, when it is with- 

 drawn and removed out of the way till again required. 

 The rope, if sound, does not require to be heavy, and 

 the pole, which is usually about 12 feet long, should 

 be about the same thickness as that of the handle of 

 the pruning-chisel — viz., 1^ inch diameter, and of 

 light, sound, redwood pine. 



The mode of thinning mixed hardwood plantations 

 is always attended with greater difficulties than that of 



Pig. 5. 



