385 FOREST PLANTATIONS. [May* 



weather, during winter and fpring, will have freed 

 the turf in a great meafure from the adhering par- 

 ticles of earth, and fo left it in a (late more fit for 

 burning than otherwife it could be. 



Many cafes will neverthelefs occur, where the 

 methods of paring above recommended will not 

 be practicable ; in fome inftances, for want of 

 firmnefs, and, in others, from the unevennefs of 

 the furface : in which cafes, recourfe muft be had 

 to paring in the ordinary way ; which is too well 

 known, to require defcription. 



If the grounds now under confideration be found 

 very much inclined to mofs ; or, if they are too 

 foft for being planted or fown in the following 

 fpring with trees or tree feeds, a crop of oats may 

 be taken, which will give the furface a more firm 

 confiftency, and reduce the mofly fubftance more 

 perfectly to earth. After the feparation of the 

 crop of oats, the land ftiould receive a furrow, in 

 which it (hould lye till fpring, when it is to be 

 finally prepared for planting or fowing. 



We are aware that many arguments have been 

 advanced againft burning the coarfe fwards of 

 fuch grounds as above noticed. But experi- 

 ence, that ftubborn and incontrovertible argu- 

 ment, has led us to recommend it as highly ufe- 

 ful on fuch foils, in raifing trees; and we have 

 at prefent no further bufinefs with it. 



JFM. 



