But as examples do more than reasoning, we conceive the best way to remove or oppose an unfounded opinion and prejudice against paring and burning, will be to cite two experiments of the author who has treated on the subject; and from the effect of these we trust the practice, to the great benefit of the country at large, will be more generally adopted. staple commodity of England) is les- was not laid by itself, but to appearsened. Nothing can be more errone- ance seemed nearly equal in quantity ously founded, and we are of opinion to the first. The rye-grass the first with the author we have before quot- two years produced a great quantity ed, that "there are no sheep-walks of sheep-keep, after which it annuaíto be found, that may not, by paring ly declined till about the year 1777 and burning, and putting a certain when the land was pared and burned portion of them into a state of aration, again, and sown early in the month be made to support or breed a far of July with turnips. This was an greater quantity of sheep than they excellent crop; the turnips grew to can do in a state of old turf or an extraordinary large size, and were heath." fed off the land by sheep lying in a fold night and day. In the month of February, the land was sown with barley and sainfoin seed; the crop of barley was great, and the quality exceedingly fine and clean. The sainfoin was mown for hay the two succeeding summers, and a more beautiful piece was never seen. The crop each time produced about thirty hundred weight of hay, when dried, per Example 1.-In the year 1766, acre; after which, it was eaten off three acres, part of an old down or with a flock of sheep six or seven sheep-walk that had been in grass a years, till it became covered with a great many years, were pared and thick strong poor turf again, and then, burned for 11. 5s. per acre. The in the months of May and June, it land was much over-run with a sort was ploughed about five inches deep, of coarse grass, provincially called and, when dry, the turf was laid up hassock, (festuca durissima) a kind in heaps about two rods apart each that no animal will eat from such way, and burned the third time, each poor land. The sub-soil, a pure chalk heap producing, on the average, fifrock, to within five or six inches of teen two-horse cart-loads of ashes; the surface soil, which was a loose and there being exactly forty heaps chalky mould, without flints, seem- per acre (the stools of which are still ingly a compound of light calcareous to be seen), made six hundred cartearth, nodules of chalk, and a small loads per acre. These ashes, except portion of vegetable mould, from the about two cart-loads in each heap, decay of the roots of such plants as were carried out and spread on an adthe soil produced, and, of course, some joining field for turnips; what reanimal matter arising from the dung mained in the hills (eighty loads per and urine of a flock of sheep, deposit- acre) were spread and ploughed in. ed from time to time by them when The land being ploughed up from the feeding upon, but chiefly in passing sub-soil, or loose chalk rock, which over, the field. The utmost annual being mixed with the remaining mould value of the land, at that time, was and ashes, formed almost a new surnot more than 2s. per acre. It was face soil, was fallowed the remainder /pared and burned early in the sum- of the summer, and, in the following mer, and several times ploughed, de- spring, in the month of February, stroying each time a thick crop of sown with black oats and saintoincharlock. Early in March, in the seed again. The crop of oats and sainfollowing spring, it was sown with foin were very great; the latter was barley: some charlock which appear- mown for hay two years, and then left ed among the corn was taken out by for a sheep-walk, in which state it hand, when in bloom, and the crop now remains, fit to burn again; but of barley amounted to six quarters being a narrow slip of land between per acre, including the tithe. The two pieces of arable, is left as a drove land was ploughed again early in the way for a flock of sheep to pass to a winter, and, in the following spring, distant part of the form. A slip of sown with barley as before, and rye- this piece, about half a rod in width, grass. The crop of barley this time along the high road, was dug with a spade, and burnt, in the summer of full three quarters per acre. In the 1797, and the ashes were carried away for manure. This was the third time of burning this part by myself, and the fourth within my memory: the produce of ashes was at the rate of 460 cart-loads per acre. This narrow slip is now (1803) sufficiently covered with turf to burn again." occasion. following winter a collection of loam, turf-ashes, and dung, was made, which, in the spring of the year, was trenched over, and when well incorporated, was carried out, and spread on the land after the second ploughing, at the rate of forty cart-loads, of about 24 bushels each, per acre. TurThe author then observes, that his nip-seed was now sown over it, and father's success, in paring and burn- the whole ploughed in very shallow, ing these three acres first, in the year by which the seed lay among the ma1766, laid the ground-work of the nure, which, in this dry calcareous renewed practice in the examples fur- soil, was of great advantage to the ther related; of which one more is young turnips. The crop turned out thought sufficient in this place, on this a tolerably good one, was fed off by sheep as before, and the land sown "Example II.-Seven acres, part early in the spring with black oats of the same down last mentioned, and seeds, viz. rye-grass, clover, and were pared and burnt in the months trefoil. This made an excellent sheepof May and June, in the summer of down for the space of three or four 1768. The ashes, amounting to about years, when it began to decay; and 120 cart-loads per acre, were burnt, in the summer of 1789, was again spread, and ploughed in in the begin- pared and burnt the third time: about ning of July, and sown with turnips: five acres was done with the common the crop was rather thin, but the roots downshare plough, about an inch in grew to an immense size; some of thickness, for 30s. per acre; and the them were measured, and girted more other two acres were ploughed with than a middle-sized man. The crop the common turnwrest plough, about was folded off with sheep lying constantly upon the land, which was cleared, ploughed, and sown with barley, early in the spring, as well as can be recollected, about the end of February. The crop of barley appearing very extraordinary, was put into a barn by itself, and the produce was found to be seven quarters per acre, of the first quality. Sainfoin having been sown among the barley, the land, the three following years, produced fine crops of that hay: the average estimated at twenty-five hundred weight per acre; after which it was fed off by flocks of sheep until the summer of 1778, when it was pared and burnt a second time, and cropped with turnips, which were folded off as before, and in the spring following, was early sown with barley and seeds, viz. clover and trefoil. The crop of barley was estimated at about five quarters per acre, and the seeds were fed off during the summer by a flock of sheep folded on the land. In October following, the clover lay was ploughed, and sown with wheat for the first time. No man living had ever known wheat, or even barley, on this field before. The wheat was a good crop, estimated at five inches thick: the whole furrow of the latter was burnt, and the ashes spread on the land, except about a third part, which was carried away to an adjoining field. The land, as soon as it was burnt, was sown with spring tares, which, owing to an extremely dry season, proved but an indifferent crop. They were fed off in the summer by a flock of sheep, to make a wheat tilth, that the land might class with another field. The wheat was not so good a crop as before, being only about 20 bushels per acre. The land was dunged for turnips the following year, which proved a good crop, and then was sown very early the succeeding spring, with black oats and clover and trefoil seeds. Some of these oats were drilled, and some sown broad-cast; and in the following harvest, a part of each was harvested and thrashed separate, to ascertain the difference, when it was found that the drilled oats were in the greatest quantity by about ten gallons per acre, and that the crop was five quarters and two bushels per acre. The seeds were folded off in the summer, and the clover lay in October sown with wheat: the crop was not laid by itself, but estimated at three quarters To the Editor of the Universal Mag. per acre. The following summer, the field was partly dunged, and partly folded for turnips: the crop a very NO one can feel a greater regard good one; they were folded off as for men of talent or genius, whether before, and the ground sown with living or dead, than myself, nor barley and seeds early in the follow- would I, Sir, in the most distant maning spring, which produced about four ner, attempt to depreciate the chaquarters per acre. The seeds were racter of any one who conducted again folded off in the following sum- himself in an open and manly way; mer, and the lay sown with wheat, but the person who attempts to arwhich produced a good crop in the raign my reputation with the public, summer of 1798. The land was by false and malicious insinuations, deserves not to pass unnoticed. then fallowed for barley, and sown again with seeds; but from the clover being too often repeated, the crop failed in the summer, and in consequence the black couch (agrestis stolenifera) got possession of the soil, so that part of the succeeding crop of wheat, being eaten by the worm, was ploughed up in the spring, and the ground sown with barley. The wheat that was left proved very indifferent." "He who robs me of my purse, steals But he that filches from me my good name, I am induced to request your insertion of these remarks, by having This advocate for paring and burn- seen in an advertisment to a work ing further remarks, that the crop of just published, signed John Lee Lewis, tares, and the succeeding crops of oats Liverpool, and entitled "Memoirs of and wheat, were much stronger Charles Lee Lewis," the following where the turf was burnt five inches observations: "Previously to my subthick, than where it was only pared mitting the following pages to the about an inch in the common way; public, the regard which I feel for and the succeeding crops, by their departed talents, and the natural imsuperiority, have ever since shewn pulse which induces me to exhibit the where it was burned of the greatest thickness. In the year 1802, this field was barley, but an indifferent crop; and in 1803, black oats, about three quarters per acre. The land nor indirectly been connected with a having produced three crops of corn in succession, without any aid from manure, was then completely run out, and fit only for a summer fallow. claims of those talents to posthumous fame and admiraon, render it expedient that I should explicitly inform the public, that I have neither directly late publication which has appeared under the title of "Comic Sketches;" and that I am wholly ignorant of the means which were employed to procure the "light and minute trifles” of which that work is composed. "This declaration will prove the degree of authenticity which attaches to the publication above named; and I hope I shall stand justified for having exerted my humble efforts to rescue the fame and talents of my deceased parent from unjust depreciation." It may now be asked, as the practice of paring and burning is recommended so strongly, whether it has been extended to any considerable degree? To which might be answered, that, in counties where it was almost unheard of ten years ago, it has of late prevailed considerably, and that, in the space of time above mentioned, it may be affirmed, that Now, Mr. Editor, the plain fact is the quantity of land so treated, has this; so long ago as the year 1798, been more than trebled. The prac- Mr. Charles Lee Lewis waited upon fice would increase in a still greater me with the manuscript of that very degree, but for the prejudices of work to which his son alludes, and some obstinate landlords, and the requested me to purchase it, which, want of leases; but, above all, the upon his first application, I declined; payment of tithes. he however again waited upon me, and urged me to take the work from THE REFORMER.NO. I. him, stating that he was in urgent Sketches," extracted from the Literary necessity, and that if I would furnish Journal, June, 1804. hin with a little money for the ma- "This little volume contains a great nuscript, he should consider himself deal of amusing matter, and may be highly obliged to me. Moved more properly characterized by the appelby the account of his necessitous situa- lation of a Droll Performance, such tion, than by any predilection in favour as might be expected from such an of his work, having known Mr. Lewis Odd Fish! as the author: the satire personally, for a number of years, I is keen, almost always entertaining, agreed to give him ten guineas for the and perfectly free from ill-nature." work, which his son is pleased to call light and minute trifles, and actually did give him that sum, (as appears by his receipt, still in my possession,) on the first day of August, 1798, positively without, at that time, or for some years after, having the least intention of printing it; nor did I even read it, but took the MS. entirely upon his own representation. Having stated this, I think I have fully acquitted myself of the malice laid to my charge. As to that of ignorance, which Mr. Jno. L. Lewis imputes to me, perhaps it may not be so easy to clear myself from it, when I acknowledge I gave his father ten guineas, in his necessities, for what I did not think of making use of: but it is surely unfortunate that a man must be accused of malice and ignorance because his heart is not sufficiently steeled against representations of distress, in those whose merits, in his opinion, deserve encouragement. peritura parcere charta. Juv. Beniggards of advice on no pretence. POPE. CIVIL Society is the very quintessence, as it were, and indissoluble bond of human lite; and it is impossible for any one to succeed in the commerce of the world, as he could wish, to acquire a just, exquisite, and satisfactory knowledge of him. self and others, who does not cultivate the talents, and study to polish and form his mind and character with those accomplishments which contribute the most essentially, to our mutual innocence and delight, freedom and advantage, as citizens of the world at large. That species of virtue which is solitary and private, resembles the retired and selfish bird of night, which, as unable to endure the day-light, the brightness which irradiates the face of Mr. Jno. L. L. states that he is plain or embellished nature, throughignorant of the means which were out her charming and admirable works, einployed to procure this work; which remains concealed in the darkest reproves only that he was unacquainted cesses, as if obstinately reluctant to with his father's transactions: but he see herself exposed in her true, promight have satisfactorily learned every per colours, as if blushing at her particular of what is here stated, had own native ugliness and deformity. he in a candid and ingenuous manner Heaven never designed that moapplied to me for an explanation. ral, industrious man, the influence There certainly had sufficient time and impulse of whose natural temper elapsed between the publication of the two works, his father's "Comic Sketches; or the Comedian his own Manager," having been published upwards of twelve months before the appearance of his own. and disposition so powerfully prompt, and induce him to be conversable and communicative, should, like the stiff and cynical, the strange and truly pitiable Diogenes in his tub, in his austere garb of pretended sanctimoniousness, live to himself alone.— The noblest and greatest desert and worth, if latent, only glimmer with the faint lustre of a diamond, before it has received the nicer touches, the brilliant ornaments and graces, from the skilful hand of some excellent workman, some master eminent in his art, which render it so inviting, Comic estimable, and honourable an object, If Mr. John Lee Lewis still doubts, I am ready and willing at any time, to shew him, or any person properly authorised by him, the receipt in quesI am Sir, yours &c. Paternoster Row, H. D. SYMONDS. July 13, 1805. tion. P. S. In addition to the above, you will oblige me by inserting the following opinion of the such as to strike the curious eye, and dry embellishments which we daily command the particular attention and see exhibited by the minions, of foradmiration of every spectator endow- tune and their servile copyists, and ed with taste and judgment. least of all in the finical and fanThat virtue which is of a social and tastical affectations wherewith many public character, finds its proper bu- blockheads so over-act the part of siness and full employment, not the real fine gentleman, as to transonly in the solid and durable en- form themselves into the completest g-gements of disinterested friend- coxcombs; but I mean that rare ship, but in the still more laudable felicity of gentle good humour, that exercise and display of extensive ge- modesty of sentiment, that chearnerosity, in the kind and condescend- fulness of heart, that sweet, amiable ing offices of courtesy, affability, be- temper, and perfection of mind and nevolence, and beneficence, and in manners, which is the very life and resolved and persevering endeavours soul, the bewitching charm of all substantially to serve and oblige men civil society (which, like the learned of all conditions and degrees, by giv- and judicious Aristippus of old, ing them our assistance if wanted, and whose accomplishments in conquerby gratifying their desires, such as ing the human heart were such, may be thought moderate and rea- that his personal conversation has sonable, whenever an opportunity of been held out by the ancients as a acting presents itself. This is to ce- perfect pattern and wholesome mement together the tender charities morable example of universal civility) of life-to bind, in the ties of reci- can recommend itself, with a natural procal intercourse and affection, the ease of address and manner, to the disjoined members of this our lower various characters that occur in real world-this is to provide and secure life, in the vulgar as well as the poa large revenue, the accumulated lite world-which, if necessary, can product, a more complete and per- become a poluiropos, as was Ulysses fect joint-stock of mundane happi- amongst the Greeks, or all things to ness, which every individual of the all men, as a sacred writer expresses society may fairly put in an equal it, in a most elegant manner. I mean a laudable ambition, a true and Good breeding and uncorrupted sincere desire to excel in every degood sense and reason should, nay scription of such respectful devoirs must and will, ever join. Neither as others have a tacit right to demand of these truly excellent qualities or of us; and all this to be decorated principles (for such I beg leave to and enhanced, with a certain agreeacall them, being deeply rooted in ble and insinuating air diffused the soul, and serving as a sort of se- through all our words and actions. cret spring to regulate her motions,) Neither by good sense, do I meant can ever be opposite to, or interfere a savage skill in barbarous terms of with, the other; and I believe it art, the multitudinous accumulation will ever be recognised as an esta- of varnished scraps of undigested blished maxim, that merit, however knowledge, pedantic fragments of solid and undeniable, however vast quodlibetical learning, scraped togeand extraordinary, is rendered still ther without reserve, discretion, and more attractive, more beautiful and reflection; nor even that kind of agreeable, when embellished with scientific instruction (the necessity the very useful charms and graces, and utility of which are not disputed,) the honest arts of true and genuine which may be learned in schools and politeness. colleges, by dint of reading and stuBy good breeding, I do not mean dy, and to the acquirement of which an unwearied attention to the com- nothing is wanting but a competent mon forms of civility, such as consist genius or capacity, and a reasonable merely in a glossy surface and ex- share of application; but I mean terior-and still less that foolish that exact knowledge of decorum, impotence of mind which can take and the art of living, which can pleasure in the pride, pomp, and cir- adapt our different occupations and cumstances of ridiculous pageantry, pursuits in the various arts and scior in the meretricious glare and taw- ences, and even our domestic en claim to. |