The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1883-12-09
CHoPPING LrnRER IN sAISE.
Something Like the Columbia Except the
Snow.

The chopper works upon one bended
knee. Before beginning to cut, he has
looked to see which way the tree is in
clined. For this he steps back a short
top. If he is In doubt he lifts his ak by
the end of the helve and lets it hang
freely suspended. This gives him a
plumb line by which he measures the in
clinatiOn of the tree. But it is not
enough TO determine in what direction
the tree viii fall most readily. 1t 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. 1t
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 20 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 con-
vanient of removal, the chopper first un-
dercuts the tree; that is, he cuts upon
the side toward which he will have it
fall, and IN such n manner that the line
of the kerf shall be exactly at right an
giles with the line along which the tree is
20 iia. If the tree stands nearly per-
pendicular, and has no inclination to fall
as he wishes, tire chopper cuts little be-
yOnd the heart on that side. By doing
this he removes the base when the tree is
ready TO fall and rests upon base of but
an inch or two IN breadth, so much from
the center of the stump. The effect OF
this will bevery 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 he thinks
his little boy could spin his top upon it.
Having undercut the tree with the
greatest cure, the woOdman now changes
mis- position little, but remains on the
same side, rests on his other knee, and
shifts hands, that Is, wields the ak with
I the other hand forward He now cuts
upon the other side, leaving the stump
two or three inches higher according as
he wishes to gain advantage for the last
few strokes. The work goes on with lit
| tie concern until the base is no thicker
than 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 bark or moss is
| loosened from its hold, he knows now
every stroke will tell, and he aims these
with the greatest precision. Soon as
ever the top bows to Its fall he marks the
direction in which it is moving. If he
wishes to bring it more toward him he
strikes blow upon the further edge; if
to carry 1t further from him, the blow is
given upon the side that is nearer. These
| last strokes need to be given with great
nicely. If feeble, they will fail to effect
their purpose; if of too great force, the
| tree will be severed from the stump upon
that side, and then all control of it is
| lost at once, and IL plunges blindly for
ward. A tall tree like the pine is broken
from the stump by force acting quite
| differently from that which is applied In
the case of shorter trees. In its descent
the pine acquires at its top centrifugal
force so powerful as to lift the tree from
the stump and carry it forward five OF
six feet before it reaches the ground.
When 1t does come to the earth the top
and the butt strike at the same time, and
the tree lies half buried IN the snow.
The Cleveland, Ohio, congressman