114 On the method of burning Mud or Clay, 



the commencement of the operation, which requires great 

 care and judgment. When it is once on fire thoroughly, 

 the mud will prove sufficiently combustible to keep the 

 fire alive. 



The proper season may be assigned from the first of 

 May until the middle of September, taking care to se- 

 iect a dry time to commence with the heap ; after it is 

 fairly in operation, I conceive some rain to be beneficial, 

 as it has a tendency to confine the heat. 



Marsh mud of any kind is excellent for burning, and 

 with it every kind of shrubs or roots which are commonly 

 found in a marsh, such as tussocks, elders, &c.; also any 

 species of earth taken from swamps or meadow ground, 

 that is free from sand. Clay of every description makes 

 a strong fire when once commenced. Although I have 

 never tried this species of earth myself, yet in travelling 

 last summer about fifteen miles from this place, I saw a 

 heap containing about one hundred loads of handsome 

 ashes burned from stiff blue clay. This was burned 

 upon Cobbett's plan; and in the same field there were also 

 many small heaps burned upon the plan I have laid down. 

 The owner of the farm was not acquainted with the me- 

 thod of increasing the heaps, which I explained to him, 

 and he expressed his intention of adopting that plan, in 

 order to save fuel, and the expense of building clay walls 

 according to the English practice. 



I consider the ashes procured in this way a cheap and 

 valuable manure. The reduction in quantity is about 

 one-third, and I have ascertained in one instance the ex- 

 pense to be about twelve cents a common gart load, al- 

 lowing the hands employed one dollar a day each, and 

 three dollars a day for two carts and a driver. My crops 

 of wheat from this method of manuring, have been equal 

 if not superior to those dressed with stable or bam yard 

 manure. There should be from forty to fifty cart loads 



