HEATHER - BURNING 405 



The results of the observations taken have brought the Committee to the 

 following conclusions : 



(1) That in the interests of sheep and Grouse autumn-burning is advisable 



on all moors. 



(2) That it is necessary on large moors. 



(3) That it is the only possible method of getting high ground with a 



northern exposure into a proper rotation of heather crop. 

 The Committee are further of opinion : 



() That in the North of England the evidence goes to show that, whether 

 springing from the root or from the seed, the growth of heather 

 following autumn- and spring-burning is identical. 



(6) That on the more northern moors the heather is probably slightly slower 

 in reaching maturity after autumn-burning, especially on shallow peat 

 or hard ground. 



(c) That, while there is a certain prejudice, especially amongst older keepers, 



against autumn-burning, this prejudice did not appear to be founded 

 on substantial grounds ; as far as the Committee were able to learn, 

 the majority of those who expressed themselves opposed to autumn- 

 burning were found on examination not to have themselves tried it, 

 and to have based their opinion either on general reasons or second- 

 hand information. 



(d) That on 95 per cent, of the moors in England on which autumn-burning 



had been tried the practice had been continued with the full sanction 

 and approval of the sheep farmers interested. 



(e) That at least 75 per cent, of the larger moors examined are insufficiently 



burned, and that in many cases an extension of the burning period 

 would enable a larger stock of both sheep and Grouse to be maintained. 

 (/) That autumn- burning is necessary in the interests of the health of the 

 Grouse and sheep, and that legislation in Scotland making it per- 

 missible to burn after October 1st should be introduced into Parlia- 

 ment without delay. 



With a view to further ascertaining the opinions of sheep-farmers on the 

 subject of heather-burning, a meeting was arranged between repre- 

 sentatives of the Committee and a number of sheep-farmers from different sheep- 

 districts. The views expressed clearly indicated that in the opinion 

 of sheep-farmers there is not enough heather burned for either Grouse or sheep 



