THE FARMER AT HOME. 



59 



burdens and weights ; they are guided by a ring thrust through their 

 nose, and then yoked to a wagon in pairs ; and their strength is 

 allowed so superior to a horse, that two buffaloes will draw as much 

 as two pair. 



The wild buffalo, which inhabit many parts of India, are a very 

 fierce and formidable race, and thei 3 is no method of escaping their 

 pursuit but by climbing up into some immense tree ; a moderate size 

 would be no security, for they can break down those of inferior growth, 

 and many travellers have been instantly gored to death, and then tram- 

 pled to pieces by their feet. They run with a surprising degree of 

 speed, and cross the largest rivers with the greatest ease ; and the 

 method which the hunters adopt to destroy them, is to fire upon them 

 from some of their thickest trees. 



Although so wild in a state of nature, no animal in the world can 

 be easier tamed ; and though they are never quite so docile as the 

 cow, yet they are patient, persevering, and have a greater share of 

 strength. Though the torrid zone is properly their native clime, yet 

 in many parts of Europe they are bred ; and the lower order of the 

 Italians are so sensible of their value, that they absolutely consider 

 them as a source of wealth. The animal has such a strong antipathy 

 to fire, that the very resemblance of it occasions them alarm and 

 dread ; and the inhabitants of those countries where they most abound, 

 avoid appearing either in scarlet or red. 



BULB. There are a number of plants, the roots of which are 

 perennial, while the tops are annual ; and as these seem destined to 

 contain the nourishment of a new plant, they are enlarged, and either 

 flattened or rounded, as the variety or species may happen to be. 

 Many of the finest flowering plants are bulbous, and in some places, 

 particularly in Holland, the culture of such bulbs, tulips, and others, 

 for sale, is an important and lucrative branch of trade. Among far- 

 mers, the only two bulbous roots that attract much attention, are 

 those of the onion and turnip. Bulbous roots, like the tuberous ones, 

 are preserved with ease, requiring only a temperature of little above 

 freezing to prevent germination, and atmospheric dryness to prevent 

 mouldiness or rotting. 



BURNING. In agriculture, burning consists in taking the turf 

 from the land with as much of the earth as will adhere to it, drying 

 it thoroughly, and then either with or without the aid of other fuel, 

 burning it in large pits prepared for this use. The greatest benefits 

 of burning are experienced on clay soils, where a mixture of other 

 earths is required to counteract the natural adhesion of the clay. In 

 burning, all the clay particles are converted to a kind of brick earth, 

 and this, on being spread over the earth, together with the ashes and 

 salts produced in the process, furnishes an excellent dressing, as well 

 as a permanent amelioration n the soil. The brick dust acts as the 

 addition of silicious matter in rendering the earth more friable, and 



