204 
TlMEHRI. 
and when the visitor returns after a few years absence 
he is astonished to find how little sign is left of the 
woodman's work. Young and healthy trees have taken 
the place of those cut down, and in course of time the 
wood-cutter of the future will again be in a position to 
thin out the ripe wood. 
Those who have seen the woodman at work in the 
old country, with his waggon and team of horses cart- 
ing away the felled timber, would be rather astonished 
to see the Demerara wood-cutter carrying on his opera- 
tions. As alreadv indicated, the trees are felled by the 
same men who do the squaring. The North American 
axe being used for felling, the tree is then cut to such a 
length as will give a well proportioned log — 50 to 60 
feet being quite a common length. With the felling axe 
a series of notches is made on the upper surface of the 
log, which is then canted on its side ; and the broad axe is 
brought into play. This is a tool, about 15 inches broad 
in the face, with the edge champered on one side, with 
which the squarer, with great dexterity, slashes off the 
divisions between the notches, leaving a surface nearly as 
smooth as if planed. The next side is notched in a similar 
manner, and a line is struck, guided by which the work- 
man turns out one of those wonderfully squared logs 
which are brought to market. 
The haulers now come in, often a hundred stalwart 
men, some armed with hand-spikes, with which to guide 
the log, while others attach to the log a chain, to which 
again is fastened a long rope having short pieces of wood* 
* These sticks are called grmlstiohs ; what is the etymology of this 
word ?— Ed. 
