Chap. MI. OF THE BREAKING UP OF LANDS. 17 



and fee it remove gradually up into the heath or common. The 

 fire fhould be carefully watched, fur fear of accidents. If, notwith- 

 flanding thefe precautions, it fliould extend to places intended to be 

 pref^rved, it may be ilopt by water if any is at hand. But the 

 mod effedual way is to dig a trench: for by throwing up the earth 

 on the fide where the fire is, you cover the grafs, and thereby 

 hinder the further progrcfs of the flames. 



When the whole furface of the common is burnt, the roots of the 

 different {lirubs which are fo ftrong as to flop the plough, are dug 

 up with a pick-ax : and after the earth has been moiflened by the 

 autumnal rains, it is plowed into high ridges, with a fcrong plough,^ 

 and with the help of a fecond plowing in fpring, it may be fown 

 Avith oats. The lecond year, it fiiould have three thorough plow- 

 ings; and the third year it will be fit to bear a good crop of wheat. 

 But it mufh be by dint of plowing, that the fern, ruflies, &c. are 

 prevented from fprouting up again ; for it is very diiiicult, tho' not 

 jmpofTible, entirely to deftroy them. The winter plowings will kill 

 the roots, bv expofing them to froft ; and the fhmmer plowings, . 

 by expofing them to the heat of the fun. 



In many countries, the method of burning is difi-erent, and lefs 

 liable to accidents. 



They cut down the broom, thorns, and other large plants, and 

 fell them, or lay them in their farm-yards, or roads, to make 

 dung. The frumps are then grubbed up, and laid in heaps inter- 

 mixed with fmall twigs. Thefe heaps are difpofed in a quincunx 

 form. The whole common is afterwards pared, and the turf dried. 

 This operation rids the ground of all the young broom, and other 

 remaining plants. The turf is laid upon the piles of roots in dry 

 weather, and fet on fire. The allies arc then fpread, and the ground 

 is plowed 



Mr. Worlidge advifes ufing an inftrument invented by Mr. Gabriel 

 Piatt, for ftubbing up thorny flirubs, broom, gofs, &;c. as the 

 eafieft and leaft expenfive way. This inflrument is like a three- 

 rrained dunr-fork, but much bio-ger and ftron^er : the flale thereof 

 like a large and ftrong leaver. This being fet about half a foot 

 from the root of the flirub, is drove a good depth into it with a 

 hedging-beetle. The ftale is then elevated, and a weight, or ful- 

 ciment, as he calls it, laid under it, after which it is pulled down 

 with a rope faflened to the upper end, and wrenches up the whole 

 bufli by the roots. 



D III. Of 



