Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1916-11-24

Through the agency of the
Wisconsin Advancement Assoc,
on the second trip the Conrath
Homemade Stump Piler was
shown. The poles were all TAX
en- from the woods, and the iron
parts including cables, cost in
the neighborhood of $50. A team
could pile anything brought to
I it. A trip at the eyener enables
the load to be dropped at any
point. This was found valuable
in dropping the stump to free 1T
from dirt. prior to piling.
Probably the most important indi-
vidual idea brought out on the second
demonstration, was variation OF the
combination method of stump remov-
al, recommended after the first trip.
Indications now are that, in most cas-
es, it is more advantageous for the
small owner, to pull the stump whole,
then crack it with dynamite and pile
with horse piler, either manufac-
tufed or home lie. The data taken
on the trip has not as yet been thor
oughly digested, but close inspection
of the work Of different men, on dit
ferent stumps, under various condl-
tions, point to Jhe fact that this
method Of stump removal is of con-
siderable Importance. The points in
favor are,-The holes are not much
larger, if any, than if cracked first;
the time of pulling the whole stump
by a power pull is no longer than pull
ling the separate pieces by consecu-
tive straight pulls; the same amount
of dynamite will break the stump in
smaller pieces and the roots will be
more free from dirt; more dirt is left
near the hole, and the pieces are left
in better condition to dry. This meth
Cd will probably work out best in the
sandy loans, clay loans, sits and
clays where the stumps are reason
ably sound. Rotten conferred stumps
should probably be cracked prior to
pulling
On thefrs demonstration held
during a wet spring, while it was
conceded that the Red Cross Farm
Powder Ia 20qS low freezing dyna-
mite) would do the work under these
conditions, still it was doubted if it
would do the same work under fall
conditions, after a dry summer. 1t is
gratifying to report that 20% did
equally as good work, stick for stick
in-the fall and in the spring as the
4Oq6 and COZ grades. In fact, no 40%
Red Cross Extra was carried on the
second tour. Another victory for
the low grade farm powder was reg
istered when the stump puller men
themselves demanded 2o% in prefer
ence TO 40% and COX, with which TO
crack their stumps after they were
pulled. Roug bly,, it would require
from one-third to one-fifth the dyna-
mite to crack the stumps after pull
ling as would be necessary to blast
them out.
Too much cannot be said for the
/! intelligent use of low grade dyna-
mites. When used with a number 6
cap, it detonates with maximum eff
feet. Tits low freezing, insensitive
to ordinary shock, and leaves the
stump and soil in better condition
than lie higher grades.
These demonstrations have shown,
beyond doubt, that the use of stump
pullers, dynamite and stump pliers,
| is the most practical method of
stump removal for the great average
of stump owners. This of course re-
Quires that stump pullers be owned
by the farmer. It is impossible for
every farmer to buy puller as the
cash is not available. Accordingly
| it is advocated that three, four or
FIVE owners who are congenial and
have the same kind of clearing to dc,
form an association to purchase a
well equipped stump puller and build
a stump piler. By the exchange of
labor and teams, much more land
could be cleared than by each man
working alone. This plan has been
discussed with many bankers, and
every one has been willing to loan
one-half the cost of such an outfit,
if the mem bers will raise the other
half. 1t is hoped that many such as
sociations will be formed before next