. % MARCH. 181 



the earth to the atmosphere, free from rain, have 

 riot found any diminution of weight. The vege- 

 table particles only are reduced to ashes. Those 

 particles, in any method of putrefaction, would dis- 

 solve, and combining with water, or evolving in 

 gases, be exhaled by heat, or absorbed by the ves- 

 sels of plants. In ashes, these are in -a more fixed 

 state, relatively to the influences of the atmosphere. 

 That plants feed on them, the great crops which 

 succeed offer abundant proof. 



There are men who are timid in acknowledging 

 truth, who admit the practice to be good in poor 

 soils, and in peat, and sedgy bottoms, but fear it 

 on better land. Experiment is against them, for in 

 Yorkshire, land of 20s. and 30s. an acre, has been 

 thus broken up with great success : but in 

 what manner do they reason ? Rich soils are full 

 of vegetable fibres. Then there will be the more 

 ashes. These are in proportion to the organic 

 matter. Peat, which these men admit to be burnt, 

 is the richest soil in the world, and therefore burn- 

 ing the most universally practised on it. The soil 

 itself is not reduced ; if it was rich before burning, 

 assuredly it will IDC rich after it. 



In addition to these circumstances, is the capital 

 one, of destroying insects, grubs, and weeds. 

 These are apt to abound most in the richer soils : 

 no reason for abstaining from this husbandry oi\ 

 such. 



I venture therefore to conclude, that paring and 

 burning, with a proper course of crops^ is safe on 



N 3 any 



