Stump-Pullers.-The primitive method of extracting stumps is to hitch on a yoke of oxen, and, after cutting- away the earth from around the stump as much as possible, drag the latter from the soil by main strength. Explosives are frequently employed to blow the stump to pieces. A mechanical apparatus for stump-extraction is represented in Fig. 4. It consists of two beams placed at right angles, and carrying each a wheel at their outer ends. The journal of the larger wheel on the right is hinged to its beam so that the wheel may be turned back parallel to the beam for convenience in drawing the machine from place to place. A loop secured to the ends of the hinged journal carries a hook, to which the harness of the horse is hitched. Near the intersection of the beams is placed a guide for a knife, which may be adjusted by a lever as deep in the ground as is desired. To the rear of the beam on the left is attached a loop that encircles the stump. The horse is hitched to the apparatus as shown.

In operating the machine the loop is first dropped in place, and a ring is placed above it. A wedge is then driven into the top of the stump so as to fasten the ring, the latter serving both to prevent the loop from slipping off, and also as a band to keep the wedge from spreading the lower part of the stump so as to tighten the loop. The knife is next forced into the ground for five or six inches, so that, on driving the horse around the stump, it cuts off such side roots as may lie in its path. At each round the knife is driven in deeper until all the roots are divided. The hook shown is then dropped and held down by the foot until it catches upon a root. A few rounds twist off this last, and the stump may then be easily raised from the ground.

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