On Burning Clay. 
211 
Burning clay, entirely destroys every species of insect and pernicious 
weed, and on whole quarters, where the process was j>erformed years 
ago, I have scarcely observed either slug or snail. 
I have no doubt, the business might be done with good success and 
very little expense, where furze and heath could be readily obtained; 
and as it would take more in proportion to the fineness of such mate¬ 
rials, it would tend to enrich the mass to a very high degree. x\s the 
price of making up faggots almost amounts to their real value, we have 
taken the wood direct to the trench, without that process, which has 
answered very well. 
I make it a rule, never to burn more clay on a given quarter, than 
the space requires to correct the soil, as it would be a waste of labour 
to remove it from place to place; and as it may be operated upon close 
to any tree or crop without danger, it is more desirable to perform the 
operation on the spot. The fire will sometimes require probing, to al¬ 
low the air to enter; but I never wish to see much smoke escape, as 1 
am certain it greatly contributes to enrich the earth. There will re¬ 
quire no particular caution with regard to burning the clay too much; 
it will be seen, that as the wood consumes, the first course of clay will 
fall to the bottom of the trench, and this will perpetually take place 
until the whole of the wood is consumed by the fire, by which time, 
a body of hot clay will have fallen to the bottom; when, to secure suc¬ 
cess, I level down the heap, but take particular care not to break or 
pulverize the compost,—the more this is avoided, the longer it will 
retain its fertilizing qualities. 
Those who have new vine borders to make, could not do better than 
add to their compost one-third of burnt clay, as the average quantity 
of rain that falls in this island never properly suits the constitution of 
vines. I think it would prove an excellent corrector, and prevent 
those troublesome insects, the wire-worms, from injuring the roots of 
the vine, and the cost, in most places, would be very trifling. I think, 
too, that it would be well calculated for anything that requires mulching, 
for applying liquid manure does not in the least consolidate it. This 
is, I consider, a great recommendation. 
If you think these observations of any importance, you will oblige me 
by inserting them in an early number. 
And believe me to be. Gentlemen, 
Yours, &c. 
George Stafforh. 
IVillersleij, July 19, 1831. 
