Show MAST TREES FOR THE CROWN mark of the broad arrow was waa placed on pines in the plymouth colony in the provincial charter of 1691 under which the plymouth colony and the province of maine were united with massachusetts it was provided that all trees of the diameter eteoe of 24 and upward a of 12 intas inch a from tile the ground gro growing iVing upon laud not granted to any private person 3 be reserved crown ft r tho the furnishing of roasts masts for the royal navy harpers weekly ob eferves Ao surveyor general of woods was ap pointed to see that this provision of the charter was carried into effect near the coast all white pines of sult cult oble ably dimensions we were remarked marked with the tread arrow three cuts through the tha bark with an ax like the track of a crow th this Is was the kings mark long after the re revolution had obliterated the royal authority men who had been taught in ln boyhood to re the kings mark hesitated to cut such trees in felling a tree it was necessary to bed it to prevent its breaking this was done by cutting the small growth and placing small trees across the hollow so that there should bo be no strain upon one section more than upon another when the monster pine struck ground the mast was hauled out of tho the woods on one strong sled aled whether in wint eror summer and so many oxen wore were required that the hind pair were orten often chok edIn dressing crossing a hollow being hung up in their yoke by the pulling of those ahead of them A mast hauling was a great event and everybody within walking distance came to see it |