PREPARING THE GROUND. 45 



were not thriving, but the damage resulting from the 

 growth of moss overbalanced any benefit derived from 

 the ashes. 



The " Pines " of Xew Jersey are subject to devastating 

 fires, which sweep through tiiem during the drouths of 

 summer, doing an immense amount of injury to growing 

 timber, and frequently jeopardizing the turf fences which 

 surround the numerous cranberry meadows in that region. 



When the fire is once in a turf fence, it is almost im- 

 possible to extinguish it, the only remedy being to cut a 

 wide gap in the fence, to save that which is not on fire, 

 and let the burning portion gradually smoulder away. 



A portion of the fence surrounding Howard White's 

 fifteen-acre meadow, near Xew Lisbon, took fire in August, 

 1869, and continued burning for two months, although a 

 number of heavy storms occurred during that time. 



Fires in the " Pines " often originate from "coalings," or 

 are started by men desiring a winter's job at chopping the 

 dead timber. As the smoke looms uj), it is seen by some 

 one in the country who recognizes it as being in the di- 

 rection of his " tract," and hastens to the spot, where, 

 with the assistance of the inhabitants, he endeavors to im- 

 pede its progress by firing against it, or by throwing sand. 

 When a native of the pine region starts out to " fight 

 fire," he as naturally takes with him his shovel and 

 matches as the city fireman does his hose-carriage or 

 engine. The extinguishing effect of sand, when thrown 

 upon the fiames, is quite equal to that of water. 



These fires sometimes burn with sufticient fury to con- 

 sume all the turf on portions of savannas over which 

 they pass ; and where this is the case, the moss starts up 

 very luxuriantly. As a general rule, in clearing savan- 

 nas, it is best not to burn the turf upon the ground, but 

 to cart it oiF, and build with it a fence around the meadow. 



A turf fence, when properly constructed, bears some 

 resemblance to a " dry wall " of stone. In order to build 



