PREPARATION OF THE GROUND. 129 



purpose, having a very long handle. The best time 

 for executing the work is from March to the end of 

 August, the season at w^hich the drought is general- 

 ly most intense. The sods w^ill dry most quickly, if 

 they are set on their edges, three and three together, 

 so as to support each other. When they are dry 

 enough for burning, they should be collected in pret- 

 ty large parcels, and piled up in such a manner that 

 the wind and air may have free access. This is es- 

 sential to their being quickly consumed. 



Some writers recommend much more expensive 

 modes of preparation than any which I have here 

 proposed, such, for instance, as ploughing or trenching 

 the ground. As to ploughing in rough stony land, 

 that has never undergone the operation before, were 

 it always practicable, I know of no purpose that it 

 can serve, but to render the surface more uneven 

 than it was in its primitive state, and increase the 

 difficulty of planting. Trenching, when applied to 

 barren ground as a preparation for wood, is of very 

 doubtful utility *, and were its advantages certain, 



* By thisj it is not meant that trenching of barren land 

 may not accelerate^, in a considerable degree, the growth of the 

 trees planted on it. But with regard to firs especially, it may 

 be doubted, whether any advantage cau be gained by such ac- ^ 

 celeration, that is not more than counterbalanced by the timber 

 being deteriorated in quality by this means. 



I 



