216 
THE 
CANADIAN 
NATURALIST. 
SO tall without lateral branches, that makes forest timber so 
valuable, for wherever a branch grows^ there is a knot in the 
trunk. 
C. — Will you describe the process of clearing land ? 
F, — Our neighbour having just got his crops" into the 
ground, is clearing this for next year. He begins by cutting 
with a heavy bush-hook^ the shrubs and slender saplings, 
which are then piled in large heaps : the axe follows, and cuts 
down the young trees, the larger ones being left for the pre- 
MAPLE (Acer Saccharimmi) in the forest. 
* See figures of the Elm, pp. 14, 15. 
