FARM NOTES.

Franklin Times, Volume 10, Issue 797, 5 January 1923, Page 6

FARM NOTES.

CLEARING AN© STUMPING. LAND.

No hard and set rule can be laid down for the clearing of the land. Conditions differ so much on the different sections of land, and the various parts of the country that the prospective settler will do well to consider the problems before him. For instance, the clearing of heavily timbered land is an entirely different procedure to that of ordinary bush. Then again the manner of the settle’s circumstances, such as the amount of capital he has on hand. Hence we find it is necessary to consider the different .methods, each of which may be equally important. The method generally employed for clearing timbered either softwood or hardwood, is to underbrush all small trees and shrubbery and place in piles befoi’e beginning to cut lai*ge timber. [.this will greatly facilitate getting around, and in many cases eliminate the necessity of cutting trails. It will i usually pay the settler to utilise the timber. The profitableness will depend largely on the proximity ofthe market. The timber could be cut down during the winter moi«hs and made into commodities depending upon its suitability. The trees should be cut stump high. and pulpwood, at time of cutting, should be hauled to some place of safety from fire, and any sawlogs should be hauled direct to the mill.

The following spring this slashed over area needs attention. It is the practice of some to turn a few head of cattle on it to pasture, with the hope that they will keep the underbrush down. It is also claimed that they "firm the soil which facilitates further clearing. It is best to burn over this slash as soon as possible, but 6 care must be exercised to keep the fires from spreading. The old saying that “fire makes a good servant but a poor master” is just as applicable to-day as it ever was. Once a fire breaks loose it means nothing but loss and desolation in its path. Stumping. Stumping perhaps is the . most laborious task of all, and to do it well requires that that operator have/ a little Experience with handling explosives. ’ Otherwise it might be best for him to hire a man who understands that part of the work. The main things needed for this work consist of stumping, powder, an axe, an da logging chain. The powder should be used on too large to be moved by the chain. When pulling the stumps by chain it is usually the practice to use

a two-horse team, but where more horses are available it might be advantageous to use the three or four horse team.

If a stumping machine is to be had, it will do the work very satisfactorily, as one team of horses could supply the power. Sometimes two or three settlers in a neighbourhood form a syndicate andl buy a machine of this kind and in this way the cost is made lighter. It is a commendable practice, '’can be followed, to a certain extent, in the purchase of almost any stock and equipment. In piling the stumps it is well to haye the roots turned up, as this allows them to dry morcj quickly. When possible make the piles in rows north-west by south-east, in this way the sun will have an almost equal chance to dry either side* and prevailing winds, whic hare from the north-west, will drive the fire through the pile at the time of burning off. Should there bd any unburnt roots and stumps left after the fire, they should be hauled’ off in a stoneboat. Another method is to start breaking, and when tw r o or three rounds are ploughed any unburnt roots and stumps can be piled on the ploughing.