171 



FELLING TIMBER. 



We had expected to see the whole tree cut 

 down and fall at once, with all its branches on 

 it ; but we were told, that, although such a 

 method was sometimes taken, when the mere 

 timber was wanted for public uses ; it was not 

 a good mode, as many of those branches, 

 called top and top^ were sure to be split, and 

 rendered unserviceable. 



This tree had been sold for private use ; and 

 the purchaser was there, to see that all was 

 done in the way most likely to prove beneficial 

 to himself. Accordingly, two men ascended 

 to the largest arms, — the lower arms first. 

 These they carefully took off, either with the 

 short chopper, which they call a hilly or with 



