⁹ The "birch of justice" is the dreaded switch, or rod, that schoolmasters used to mete out formal punishment, often at an assigned time and in the front of the class. Some masters kept a variety of rods, ranging from thin to sturdy, and chose their weapon based on the nature of the infraction and the size of the offender. They were usually displayed on the wall behind the master's desk as not-so-gentle reminders. Crane chose to hang his one birch rod behind him horizontally, like a prized sword or rifle.