238 On Paring and Burning. 



must be destroyed ; and this is most readily and effectually 

 accomplished by paring and burning, operations to which 

 these soils are peculiarly well calculated. The surface is 

 easily pared; the soil is more inflammable than any other ; 

 and the turf can be converted into ashes at a moderate 

 expense ( z81 ). 



Unreclaimed Lands. Where the soil is in a wild unculti- 

 vated state, and its vegetative powers in a great measure 

 dormant and inactive, they cannot be called into full action 

 without some stimulus. In that case, the ashes produced 

 by sod-burning, with the aid of lime, are generally neces- 

 sary, and always effectual ( z8 *). Indeed where land, cover- 

 ed with thick-tufted coarse grass, is broken up and sown 

 without having previously undergone this process, the old 

 rubbish carries most of the moisture from the seed, and 

 proves a harbour for grubs, slugs, and other vermin ( a83 ); 

 whereas when the turf is burnt, these enemies to cultivation 

 are destroyed, the causes of sterility are removed, and 

 in its stead, a fertilizing power is created, which, without the 

 aid of this process, could not have been obtained (* 84 ). 



It is remarked in a work distinguished for its ability, 

 that the difference between the tivo methods of breaking up rough 

 ground, (either paring and burning, or ploughing merely), is 

 more than the value of the freehold in favour of the former. 

 The one opens an immediate source of great profit ; whereas 

 the other generally leads to expense and disappointment ( z85 ). 



Chalky Downs. There can be no doubt, that the system 

 of paring and burning, is peculiarly applicable to chalky 

 downs. Mr Boys of Kent has given a detailed account of 

 experiments, tried on 267 acres, principally consisting of 

 such downs, and, when the season proved favourable, with 

 uniform success. A single crop thus raised, was often equal 

 to the value of the land in its original state ( 286 ). These, 

 and a number of other experiments equally satisfactory, are 

 decisive of the question, that downs and other pastures, 

 ought not to be preserved for the sole purpose of being en- 

 abled to fold sheep on the arable land in the neighbourhood, 

 with a view of enriching it, when they can be pared and 

 burnt, and brought into cultivation with such advantage ( a87 ). 



Sainfoin Layers. Wherever there are old sainfoin lay- 

 ers which ought to be broken up, paring and burning are 

 essential for the destruction of the insects, with which such 

 land is usually infested. The utility of this practice has 

 been proved in numerous instances. 



Old Pastures. Many soils formerly cultivated, have been 



