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PLANTING OF WASTE LAND. 



when pared off, and properly dried, is susceptible of 

 being burnt, and some recommend paring and burn- 

 ing as a good preparation of land about to be plant- 

 ed. This practice, however, except where there is 

 a considerable depth of peat-moss, is not merely use- 

 less but pernicious. Its advocates ground their sup- 

 port of it on the ashes which it produces ; but, with 

 the exception already mentioned, they are wholly in- 

 significant in quantity, while the burning evaporates 

 a great part of the real strength of the land. In 

 peat-moss, however, where a sod of several inches 

 thick may be taken off without laying bare the sub- 

 soil, paring and burning may be resorted to with 

 advantage. Land of this kind in the natural state, 

 is found to agree very indifferently with most kinds 

 of wood. The cause seems to be, that its vegeta- 

 tive power lies dormant, and requires the application 

 of some stimulant to restore its activity. Now, the 

 ashes created by burning the surface are found to be 

 such a stimulant ; for without the addition of any 

 other manure, we often see them render mossy land 

 capable of producing a good crop of corn, and it is 

 reasonable to conclude, that they will have the same 

 beneficial effect in communicating the energy which 

 is requisite for the growth of trees. 



Paring is performed with a spade made for the 



4 



