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Salutary Effects of Fi re, on Soils, by R. Peters, Esq. 



Read September 14, 1813. 

 Belmont, July 20, 1813. 



Dear Sir, 



I frequently introduce points worthy of considera- 

 tijn, that they may be more ably treated, by those 

 ivhose science and practice are superior to mine. 



I have often experienced the great utility of Fire, 

 in fertilizing land. I could give many instances which 

 have passed under my own observation ; both recent, 

 and of very old date. I can shew numerous spots 

 in fields, on which large collections of weeds were 

 burnt, twenty years ago ; which now exhibit, and have 

 so done ever since the operation, a most extraordinary 

 comparative fertility, in ground, the whole whereof has 

 been well limed, and otherwise manured. Burning 

 heaps of straw, I have found efficient. Leaves, and 

 other trash, from hedge rows, chips and brush, have 

 given fertility to barren spots ; most evidently and du- 

 rably. Although I have been long in the practice of 

 devoting some of such materials to the compost heap ; 

 yet I am convinced that burning most of them on the 

 ground, would produce equally good effects ; and most 

 probably, extend their influence longer and farther, 

 than if rotted down. If this idea should even be thought 

 whimsical ; it is, at least, worthy of consideration and 

 experiment. Having frequently turned the subject in 

 my mind, I have not been able to account for it, in a 

 manner satisfactory to myself. The ashes of such light 



