The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1921-10-07
LAND CLEARING QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS

VIII we have an opportunity OF
seeing picric acid demonstrations
As soon as it convenient the Michi-
gan Agricultural College will hold
several demonstrations throughout
the northern peninsula as well as--the
northern part Of the southern penin-
sula. Dates for these demonstrations
will be sent as soon as convenient.
Will there be any mere government
salvage explosives after the picric
acid is gone? AS far as we know
there are no war salvage materials
in store that will be fit for agricul-
tural blasting. However, if there
should be the State of Michigan will
try to get their proper allotment of
such explosives.
Why is picric acid cheaper than
dynamite? If picric acid were made
by the dynamite companies and then
placed upon the market, it would be
much more expensive than dynamite
because the materials and labor re-
quired to make up picric acid are
mach more expensive. This picric
acid which you are now receiving lis
turned over to the State Of Michigan
free Of charge. The State cf Michi-
gan charges you seven cents per
pound to cover the cost of cartridg-
ing, transportation and all labor in
vclved in placing it in your hands.
Is picric acid effected by freezing
or thawing? From experiments car
ried on by the University of Wiscon-
sin in cooperation with the Bureau Of
Public Roads. this acid is not effected
by freeing or thawing. Fer this rea-
son it can be stored over winter pre-
viding it is kept dry and sheltered
from the weather without any great
deterioration in power.
Will the heat of the sun set off
blasting caps? In a few instances
it has been known where the direct
rays of the sun were sufficient to set
off blasting caps with the slightest
jar. However, this is very improb-
able. In any case blasting caps
should be kept from the strong rays
of the sun as much as possible be-
cause when they become warm they
become much more sensitive and are
more easily set of.
How many blasting caps and how
many feet Of fuse are needed per one
hundred pounds of explosive in blast
ing stumps? No definite answer can
be given the above question for the
reason that no two fields Of stumps
are alike. The best answer avail
able at the present time is 100 blast
ing caps and 200 feet of fuse per 100
pounds of explosive. This answer is
based on long experience in land
clearing and as far as those interest
ed in land clearing are able to judge,
the above amount should suffice for
one hundred pounds of explosive. On
some fields the above amount will be
amply sufficient depending On the size
and kind Of stumps while on other
fields where the stumps are smaller
and partially decayed the specified
amount is inadequate. Farmers who
are buying blasting supplies will have
tc be their own Judge.
What advantage is there in using
take-up choker with stump pull.
er? It can be attached to the cable
at any point and pulling starts i'm.
mediately.
| Why is it advisable to place the
puller on slight elevation? The ca
BILE will not interfere with the horses
legs If so placed.
What is the best size and length
for cables on capstan stump pullers
in pine stump land? Az inch cable
125 fetS long.
/ L.r. Livingston.
Land Clearing Specialist