86 THE GROUSE 



respects heather are practically identical. 

 In this matter, as in all others where 

 difference of view is possible, everything 

 depends on a reasonable treatment of it 

 by the parties concerned, with now and 

 then perhaps the exercise of a benevolent 

 veto by the estate of anything unwise 

 proposed by one side or the other. In 

 such circumstances difficulties connected 

 with heather burning now seldom occur, 

 or are easily accommodated. 



In Scotland, heather burning is legalised 

 and regulated by the Act of Parliament 

 13 George III. cap. 54, which repealed 

 certain older statutes about the same 

 matter. The passing of this Act (1773) 

 corresponds pretty nearly with the general 

 introduction of modern sheep farming in 

 Scotland, and probably was called for in 

 connection therewith. It provides that 

 muirburn, or heather burning, shall be 

 legal only between 1st November and 

 11th April, but that this period may be 

 extended to 25th April on an application 

 to that effect by the proprietors of " high 



