436 . AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS November, 1907 



mite. The number of holes 

 varied according to the size 

 of the stump, the large ones 

 naturally requiring more 

 explosive than the small 

 ones. The auger must, of 

 course, bore a hole that 

 will readily admit the stick 

 of dynamite, and the hole 

 should be deep enough to 

 reach the base of the stump. 



The dynamite is then in- 

 serted in the cavity and 

 pressed or forced in — 

 gently if you please ! — with 

 a stick having a diameter 

 about that of the stick of 

 dynamite. The starter, by 

 which the spark from the 

 battery is applied to the 

 dynamite, is then inserted 

 and to it is attached one end of the copper wire. Connec- 

 tions must, of course, be made with all the pieces of dyna- 

 mite in a single stump, and the wire run away to what may 

 be judged to be a safe dis- 

 tance, where it is attached 

 to the battery and every- 

 thing is ready for the ex- 

 plosion. A heavy pressure 

 on the lever of the battery 

 box, and the trick is done. 

 A novice will doubtless seek 

 safety at a considerable dis- 

 tance, but after several 

 stumps have been exploded 

 it will be comparatively easy 

 to gauge the point of safety. 



The effect of the explo- 

 sion varies according to the 

 nature of the stump and 

 the amount of dynamite 

 employed. Some are blown 

 to fragments, while others 

 will be torn apart and will 

 fall to the ground quite 

 near their spot of growth. 

 But in any event the work 

 has been done, been well 

 done, been cheaply done, 

 and done in the most effec- 

 tive manner. 



The final steps of the 

 clearing process are simple 

 enough, and involve neither 

 danger nor expense. The exploded stumps must be gathered 

 together in one place, as well as such underbrush as remains 

 to be cleared up. A pulley attached to a tree left standing. 



The Roots Are Sometimes Tom into Fragments While Others 

 Are Simply Tom Apart 



or to a pole erected for 

 the purpose, will often be 

 found of value in this work. 

 The great pile is then fired, 

 and the whole matter is 

 ended. The ground is now 

 ready for cultivation and 

 may be put to the uses for 

 which it was cleared. Dy- 

 namite, therefore, instead 

 of being dreaded by the 

 farmer as something he has 

 no concern with, of which 

 he knows nothing and 

 wishes to know nothing, 

 may become a most useful 

 agent in performing a very 

 arduous and expensive kind 

 of farm work. Certainly it 

 must be carefully used, 

 as all dangerous materials 

 must be employed, but its utility is very great and its employ- 

 ment may readily be made a source of positive economy. 

 And why not? Land must be cleared, and cleared quickly; 



A Pulley Attached to a Tree Is a Convenient Device for Gathering the Stumps and 



Rubbish for Final Disposal 



it must be cleared economically and thoroughly. Dynamite, 

 properly used, is the most effective means of accomplishing 

 these ends. 



