862 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK ix 



a furrow from twelve to sixteen, and even eighteen, inches in breadth, 

 ' and not exceeding one inch in depth. By using this instrument, the 

 cost of paring, burning, and spreading is considerably reduced ; but it 

 is calculated for such soils only as have been in a state of cultivation. 

 In many of our western counties this operation is performed with the 

 common plough, a wing being turned up on the furrow side of the 

 share, in order that the furrow may be cut of the required depth. The 

 manner of piling the sods varies with the locality ; but, in general, 

 the operation of burning will be most effectually performed by piling 

 the parings into small cocks or heaps, similar to those made in hay- 

 fields, placing the grass sods downwards for the admission of air, and 

 leaving apertures both at the top and at the bottom of each heap. 

 These apertures must afterwards be closed up with fresh sods, in order 

 that the burning may be thorough. 



There is great difference of opinion among agriculturists as to the 

 propriety or impropriety of paring and burning land. Ity some it is 

 pronounced to be a wasteful, extravagant operation, resulting in the 

 dissipation of that which should be retained. This opinion is strongly 

 controverted by others equally experienced in the various departments 

 of rural economy. Perhaps the best judgment to be pronounced is 

 that the operation is beneficial in some cases, and harmful in others. 

 Many years ago, when wheat was very high in price, a great deal of 

 good pasture was pared and burned in Ireland. The results were 

 declared to be good crops for a year or two, and signs of exhausted 

 fertility later, and there is no doubt that it is a wasteful plan to pare 

 and burn good pasture. On the other hand, in reclaiming waste land, 

 sour and full of weeds and roots, the operation is probably the best and 

 most economical method of bringing the land into good condition for 

 cultivation and cropping. In the former case, the organic matter which 

 is destroyed by fire is valuable, whereas, in the latter case it is chiefly 

 worse than valueless. 



The operation of paring and burning may be advantageously per- 

 formed on heaths and downs occupied by a thin, weak, and loamy sand, 

 with a calcareous bottom. The burning can only be effected in dry 

 weather. Considerable tracts of such land have been broken up and 

 reclaimed in many parts of the kingdom. Land thus treated is 

 generally of the very worst kind. The chief object of paring is to 

 get rid of coarse herbage and perennial weeds, which, by the process 

 of burning, leave their mineral ingredients to act as a stimulating 

 manure. The effect of the operation is to purify the soil from that 

 which is chemically and organically objectionable. Coarse herbage, 

 the stems and seeds of weeds, as well as insects with their eggs and 

 larvae, are destroyed. 



Moory, fenny, and boggy or peaty soils derive very essential benefit 

 from this practice. 



Some chalk lands have been greatly improved by paring and burning, 

 and so likewise have loams. 



Clayey soils may occasionally be pared and burned with much benefit, 



