Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 January 1884 — CHOPPING DOWN A TREE. [ARTICLE]

CHOPPING DOWN A TREE.

Description of til* Promm as Practiced In the Maine Woods. The chopper ‘works upon one bended knee. Before beginning to eat, he has looked to see which way the tree is inclined. For thiß pie steps back a short distance to where he can see to its very top. If he is in doubt he lifts his axe by the end of the helve and lefts hi hang freely suspended. This give him a plumb line by which he measures the inclination of the tree. But it is not enough to determine in what direction the tree will fall most readily. It may be that large trees are standing right in the way of its falling on that side, and against these the tree will be lodged. It must be carried to the one side or the other, and herein consists one of the mysteries of woodcraft—the skill to guide a tree in its fall. He will direct it with the greatest ease. Having decided where he wants it to go to avoid the risk of lodging against other trees, or of being broken by falling on uneven ground, or to have it lie so that the logs will be convenient of removal, the chopper first undercuts the tree; that is, he cuts upon the side toward which he will have it fall, and in suoh a manner that the line of the kerf s]kall be exactly at right angles with the lino along which the tree is to lie. If the tree stands nearly perpendicular, and has no inclination to fall as he wishes, the chopper cuts a little beyond the heart on that s'de. By doing this he removes the base when the tree is ready to fall, and rests upon a base of but an inch or two in breadth, so much from the center of the stump. The effect of this will be very great in moving the base so that the center of gravity will fall on the side desired. Though he works in so cramped a posture, the chopper cuts the stump so level and so smooth lie thinks his little boy could spin his top upon it. Having undercut the tree with the greatest care, the woodman now changes his position a little, but remains on the' same side, rests on his other .knee, and shifts hands, that is, wields the axe with the other hand forward. He now cuts upon the other side, leaving the stump two or three inches higher according as he wishes t o gain advantage for the last few strokes. The work goes on with little concern until the base is no thicker than a plank and quite as even, then a blow is aimed full at the center, and the chopper looks quickly at the top to note the effect. If he perceives a tremor in the trunk, or if a bit Of hark or moss "is loosened from its hold, lie knows now every stroke will tell, and he aims these with the greatest precision. Soon as ever the top hows to its fall he marks' the direction in which it is moviug. If he wishes to bring it more toward him he strikes a blow upon the further' edge; if to carry it further from him, the blow is given upon the side that is nearer. These last strokes need to be given with great nicety. If feeble, they will fail to effect their purpose; if of too great force, the tree will be severed from the stuihp upon that side, and then all control of it is lost at once, and it plunges blindly forward. A tall tree like the pine is broken from the stump by a force acting quite differently from that which is applied in the case of shorter trees. In its descent tlje pine acquires at its top a centrifugal force so powerful as to lift the tree from the stump and carry it forward five or six feet before it reaches the ground. When it does come to the earth the top and the butt strike at the same time, and the tree lies half buried in the snow. —Bos ton Ira a script.