178 WOOD STOCKING. 



for many of these tables are left to perish in 

 the soil. When timber is sold by a landlord 

 on a farm^ these parts are usually the per- 

 quisite of the tenant. There are men called 

 wood'StockerSy or splitters^ who make it their 

 business to get up the roots and stumps of 

 trees, that have been taken down. I think, 

 if you wish to see them at work, young gen- 

 tlemen, there is an opportunity, only a few 

 paces off; for I heard gunpowder at work this 

 morning, instead of beetle and wedges." 



WOOD STOCKING. 



An explosion had, indeed, that minute been 

 heard ; and had it not been for this, and the 

 name of gunpowder y I question whether the 



