Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-11-21
Pictures of Forest Life,

HryrIss THE PINE-Twenty-fye or tfir-
ty years ago, large tracts OF country were
covered principally with Pine-trees. Those
tracts seemed purposely located IN me
vicinity of lakes, large Streams, and rivers
a winters work could then be made CONT
guous 10 improved portions OF the country,
which rendered lutte previous exploration
necessary. But the woodmans axe, To-
ge,her with the destructive fires which have
swept over large districts from time 10 llIne,
have. so 10 speak, driven this tree lar pack
into The interior wilderness. Ia tact, the
Pine seems doomed, by the avatIce and |
enterp rise of the white man, gradually 10
disappear from The borders OF clvIilzailon,
as have the Aborigines OF TINS country
before the Onward march OF the An9 lo-Sax'
on race.
The diminished size and number OF these
Pine communities, near the borders oil clVl
md agricultural abodes, added 10 the fact
that this tree has been pursued 10 wild ana
unknowu forest regions, renders exploring
exueduions previous to the commencement
of Winters campaign absolutely lndis-
pensable. at least to insure success. ms
labor is performed, more or less, at all Pc
RODS of the year; but perhaps the more
general and appropriate time is found 10 be
during the earlier part OF Autumn. The
work of exploring is often performed dur
inc the Winter. while the crews are Oh The
Ground. in camp The difficulty of travel
mo through deep SHOWS is overcome Ivy the
s.s.eIr .ssnow. rms shoe is about three
feet long by sixteen inches wide, oval
before and iapeling TO a point behind. 1t
is simply fat net work, made from thongs
of green hide. surrounded by slender
frame or how of wood. This network is
fastened, near the middle, to the hottom of
The boot, and The woodman, throwing him.
self along, one side AT lue, with length
ened pace-like stride, pusses oveT me ground
al a rapid rate.
When the business of timber bunting is
deferred until Autumn, the following method
is practiced Two or three men accustomed
to the business take the necessary pro-
visions, which usually consist efslip- bread
salt pork, tea, sugar, or molassess, for cook
ing utensils n coffee pot or light tea kettle,
a lin dipper, sometimes irsing-pan, q
wooden blanket Or two for bed-clothes anC
an axe, with gun and ammunition; all o
which are put ON hoard skiff, if tn
exploration is to be on the ST. Croix, or oI
a bnteau if on the PenObscot River, viii
two sells of propelleTs, setting poles for ia
pids' and paddles To he used on dead watel
With these slight prepal atoms, away w
start /; now making our way up the mai
river, then shooting along up the less cap
acious branches; sometimes reforming
Journey of two hundred miles lar into ths
interior, in those solitudes which neve
before, perhaps, echoed with the tones 0
the while mans voice. The location fc
our nightly encampments are selected II
time to make the necessary arrangement
for refreshment aud repose, before ih
darkness shuts down over the dense wilder
ness that surrounds us. Selecting prope
site near some gushing spring, or wher
a murmuring streamlel plays along rt
a mantle little channel, we pitch our ten
which formerly consisted OF slendt
frame OF little poles, slightly covered on ih
dop and at each end with loDg bougbs, tn
front entirely open, before which burns ~
waich-6re, by whose light the deep darl
sless of a forest night is rendered more st
Tenn and palpabie.
In some Instances q large blanket
spread oyer the frame and when there al
good reasons TO expect rain, we haul OF
boat up. turn it botonl-side up, aud crav
beneath il, this proving a sure protectio
from the falling rain' or dew. OF lat
small portable lent-coEerings are use
which prove very convenient.
Next the evening meal is prepared
Here the tea is thoroughly boiled, in Il
coffee-pot or tea.kette, over the little fir
thin slice Of sat pork is cut and, Tu
ming sharp stick through il, il is he
owe the fire and roasted, being Withdraw
occasionally 10 catch the clippings on
cake OF pilot or ship bread. This is a GOO
substitute for butter toasi, the roasted 20
making an excellent rasber. Sometim
we ate the pork raw, dipping il 80 m
jasses, which some relish; and though I
recital may cause, 10 delicate and pamps
ed siomachs, some Qnalms, yet We c
assure the nniniiia,ed THAT, from these gro
simpes, the hungry woodman makes ma
delicious meal. After pipe deyotons 4
little else ascellds from forest-altals, thou
we have sometimes heard the voice ofprs
err even ia the iogglng-swamps,) we thr'
our weary limbs upon our bonghy couch
90 seek repose in the slumbers of night.
TO BE CONTINUED.
49, An old sea captain used to say he did