xxxiv Notices for a Young Farmer. 



be no reasonable objection to the application of fire. Den- 

 shiring, or hurnbaking, is described in agricultural books ; 

 wherein its benefits are developed, and the improper use 

 of it pointed out. Burnt clay has been long known to be 

 fertilizing ; and so are the ashes of peat and turf. Even 

 burning brush and straw on fields, is proved to be almost 

 incredibly fertilizing and productive. Burning the foul co- 

 ver of wild grass and weeds, before ploughing for Indian 

 corn, even in the spring, has, in frequent instances, destroyed 

 the grub or the eggs of its parent. In what manner heat 

 operates on soils, is not essential ; nor is the inquiry whether 

 the effect be produced by the ashes, or the mere application 

 of fire. The facts are well ascertained ; and that is enough 

 for all practical purposes. Some soils may be less benefitted 

 than others; and with some, burning may entirely disagree. 

 Whatever may be the theory of, or prejudices against, this 

 operation, it behoves us at least to try, if even on a small 

 scale, a practice which has the approbation of eminent and 

 successful practical and scientific agriculturists in Europe. 

 And in this, as in every other operation, a farmer should 

 know and calculate on the nature of his own soil ; and there- 

 by judge of the expediency and propriety of any practice. 



XIX. Our awkward mode of ditching and draining our 

 swamps or wet grounds, is not only inconvenient and un- 

 sightly, but occupies space unnecessarily. Underdraining, 

 and thereby preserving a level, dry, cultivable and produc- 

 tive surface, is every way eligible ; where the site will admit 

 of it. It would be well for some spirited agriculturist, to 

 set an example of improvement in this regard. Lessons, in 

 European books, for underdraining, are in plenty ; and there 

 is one in the Memoirs of the Philadelphia Society. 



In declining grounds, a straight open ditch in the direc- 

 tion of the declination, is injurious and dangerous. Violent 

 floods, in such ditches, always produce a ravine or gully. 

 The ditch should be oblique ; and calculated to resist them, 

 whilst it still affords a sufficient passage to floods. Nature 

 establishes precedents ; her streams being generally meander- 

 ing and flexuous. Under, i, c. covered, drains, are not liable 



