244 On Paring and Burning. 



though it is not always practicable. 2. To spread the ashes 

 on the surface, exposed to atmospheric influence, for some 

 months before they are ploughed in. This is done from an 

 idea, (perhaps an erroneous one), that the ashes imbibe 

 some matter from the atmosphere, which adds to'their fer- 

 tilizing qualities ( 3l6 ). 3. To leave the ashes in heaps, and 

 to spread them before ploughing for wheat ; a plan not to 

 be approved of, as the alkaline salts will be washed out by 

 the rains ; and while the ground on the burnt spot will be 

 saturated, the effete ashes will be of little or no benefit to 

 the circle around. And, 4. After the land is pared and 

 burnt, to spread lime, at the rate of 150 Winchester bushels 

 per acre, with the ashes upon the surface, any time before 

 the middle of October; the ashes and lime to be immedi- 

 ately ploughed in, by which plan a good crop is insured in 

 the succeeding year ( 3l7 ). t 



Two rules connected with this branch of the subject, may 

 be mentioned. 1. To sow the seed as soon as possible after 

 the ashes have been spread, and ploughed in ; for they 

 operate much more powerfully, when in a caustic state, and 

 the crop will be more abundant; and, 2. To mix lime with 

 the ashes. The two manures seem to assist each other ; and 

 indeed, unless there is calcareous matter in the soil, various 

 crops, in particular barley, pease ( 3l8 ), wheat or clover, 

 cannot be expected to succeed. 



9. Crops. It is extremely material, that the first crop to 

 which the ashes are applied, should not be of an exhausting 

 quality ( 3l9 ). Turnips, rape, or tares, are generally recom- 

 mended ( 3zo ) ; or potatoes, when the ashes are got early, 

 and some dung can be applied. In regard to turnips, the 

 advantages to be derived from that crop, by means of paring 

 and burning, on land where perhaps they were never seen 

 before, and where they could hardly be otherwise obtained, 

 are inestimable. Each acre, in proportion to the goodness 

 of the crop, will support from five to twelve sheep, during 

 five of the worst winter months; and these animals, besides 

 enriching the soil with their dung and urine, will render 

 the land firm, so as to furnish an excellent tilth, for a crop 

 of barley or oats, in the ensuing season ( 3ai ). It cannot be 

 too strongly inculcated, that it is by the extirpation of 

 weeds, under the turnip husbandry, that the operations of 

 paring and burning, on chalky soils, produce their most be- 

 neficial effects ( 3 > a ). 



In Scotland, on peaty soils, potatoe-oats are accounted 

 the most profitable first crop, being both early and less lia- 



