220 Salutary Effects of Fire, on Soils. 



jury occasioned by over-burning land ; which may be 

 deemed an extreme case. More than sixty years ago, 

 the bricks, whereof the walls of my house are com- 

 posed, were burned in a kiln, the site whereof is now 

 in my garden. I have, in vain, endeavoured, at vari- 

 ous periods, to recover the fertility of this small spot. 

 Two years ago, it was limed. Last year, I selected the 

 best well rotted dung ; and applied it plentifully. I 

 planted on it, this season, for experiment, Indian corn, 

 scarcity roots, cauliflowers, and water-melons. The 

 culture has been the same with that on other parts of 

 the garden. But every plant is inferior, most percepti- 

 bly, to other similar plants, on other spots ; and so it 

 has invariably been, with plants on this over-burned 

 soil. 



Your very obedient servant, 



Richard Peters. 

 Dr. James Mease. 



Secretary of the Philad, Agric. Soc. 



of clearing is a good one ; but I think the Yankee mode the best ; 

 and when it is faithfully and carefully pursued, it is unobjectiona- 

 ble, on the account noticed by our correspondent. Both methods 

 are pursued from necessity ; and are such as the state of things, in 

 a new country, imperiously, and probably exclusively, demands. 

 Mr. Lorain deserves much praise, for investigating a subject of 

 primary importance in our new countries ; and one -vvhich, hither- 

 to, has been too little noticed, or discussed, R. P. 



