218 Salutary Effects of Fire ^ on Soils* 



ancients ; and accused them of having stolen his best 

 thoughts ! The pleasure I experience in the coinci- 

 dence, arises from the opportunity it affords of pro- 

 mulgating the practice, under authorities better than 

 my own. I have, very often, burnt brush, on patches 

 intended for melons, under the idea that it w^ould de- 

 stroy the eggs or larv^ of insects, which vrould other- 

 Avise infest the vines. It always had the effect I wish- 

 ed. But I have observed a fertility in such spots, for 

 years, beyond those in their vicinity. I have burnt the 

 stubble (too thick to plough in) on a wheat field, ge- 

 nerally ; but have left some spots unburnt and plough- 

 ed in. The buckwheat, sown on the burnt stubble, 

 was strikingly superior. Clover, sown with the buck- 

 wheat, was by far the best, the next season, on the 

 burnt parts.* 



It is in the power of every farmer, to turn to his ad- 

 vantage, the nuisances and pests on his farm. Very 

 probably some lands will be more benefited than others, 

 by this operation. Every kind of manure does not 

 operate alike on every soil. The experiment will cost 

 little ; and the materials for trying and extending it^ 



* This was before the excellent practice of sowing clover on our 

 wheat, was introduced. I generally, t/ien, ploughed in the stubble, 

 to rot as a manure. But, now, I cut the clover and stubble ; and 

 have great store of fodder for the barn-yard cattle. What they 

 do not eat, becomes manure. My fields are left in the best condi- 

 tion, for either feeding or mowing, the next season. I have heard 

 objections to mowing the clover and stubble ; as rendering the 

 roots exposed to injury by droughts or frosts. But I am convinced? 

 by long experience, that, if the cutting be in proper time, there 

 are no solid grounds for such objections. 



