Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-01-16

The chopper down Of trees in the
woods of Maine works upon bended
knee. Before beginning to cut, he has
looked to seq which way the tree is in
clined For this he steps back short
distance to where he can see to its very
top. II he is in doubt he lifts his axe
by the end of the belve and aud lets 1t
hang freely suspended. This gives 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 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 one side or the other
and herein consists one of the mysteries
OF woodcraft-the skill to guide a tree
in its fall. H will direct it with the
greatest ease. Having decided where
he wants 1t to go to avoid the risk of
lodging against other trees, OF being
broken by falling on uneven ground. or
to have 1t 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 1t fall, AMI in such a manner that
the line 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 little beyond
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. The
effect of this will be very great in mov-
ing the base SO that the centre of grav-
ity will fall on the side desired.
Though he works in SO cramped post
ure, the chopper cuts the stump so Ieyel
and so smooth he 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 re-
mains on the same side, rests on his
other knee, and shifts hands, that is,
wIelds the axe with the upper hand for
ward. 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 little
concern until the base is no thicker
than plank and quite as even; then
blow is aimed full at the centre. and
the Chopper looks quickly at the top to
note the effect. If he perceives a
tremOr in the trunk, OF if bit of bark
OF moss Is lOOSened from its hold. ne
knows how every stroke will tell. and
he aims these with the greatest precis-
ion Soon as ever the top bows 70 its
tall he m4rks the direction in whi IN it
IS moving. If he wishes to bring 1t
IN re toward him he strikes a blow upon
the farther edge; if to carry it farther
from him, the blow is given upon the
side that Is nearer. These last strokes
need TO be gwen with grea5 nicely. If
feeble, they will fail TO effect their pur.
pOSei If of TOO great force, the tree VIII
be severed from the stump upon tnat
side, aud then all control of 1t is lost
at once and it plunges bllndIy forward.
A tall tree like the pine is brOGen from
the stump by force acting quite dif-
Ierently from that which is applied in
-ne case of shorter trees. In its de-
scent the pine ACQUIRES at its top Gen.
-rlfu8al force 50 powerful as to lift the
tree from the stump and carry it for
ward i've or six feet before it reaches
he ground. When il does come to the
edrth the top and the butt strike at the
'ame time, and the tree lies halt buried
in the SHOW.