The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1909-10-29

no spring burning Is possible on ac-
count of the snow may be burnt clean
during the sunny days which follow
the early frOsts of autumn. 1t often
happen that snowstorm sweeps
across the high grounds in October
or November. and after the bulk OF
1t has melted. the drifts frequently
serve as barriers to stay the progress
of the FIRE. The practice CT firing
heather. leaving 1t to burn unchecked
towards a drift cannot, however. be
commended, unless In very exception
al circumstances when no possible
change OF wind may upset the cal
culatiOns Of the keeper.
1t Is no easy job heather-burning on
a clear November morning. with the
ground cracking in the sun like tin
der beneath ones feet. and 1t Is dan
gerOus to work single-handed on these
occasions. 1t Is a golden rule to have
plenty of hands, and a few boys. pro-
vided they can be trusted. are invalu-
able for watching the smoldering
ashes and guarding against fresh
outbreak while the keepers are work
ing elsewhere. In burning long
strips ii Is customary to have two
men on each side. and in big fire
with strong wind tanning the flames
these are none too many.
In former days the fire was spread
over the required area by means of
punches of dead heather and much
time used to be wasted in searching
for such material The modern heath
er burners, as shown in one Of the
illustrations, have rendered this sys-
tenn obsolete. and this innovation ia
to be welcomed as tightening consid-
erably what is probably the severest
branch Of the keepers work
That heather, when possible,
should be burnt in small strips or
patches Is a theory which requires
little proof. If a young brood are
surprised by a bird or beast of prey
in the middle Of large open strip,
they cannot possibly escape, but in a
small patch they can run to cover at
the first sign Of danger AS stated
above. however. 1t Is necessary to
burn neglected moor on a large
scale at first before 1t can be
brought properly into control and a
system of rotation established. There
are few sights more impressive than
that of a big fire which has got out
Of control. II we see 1t from behind.
as Is probable II We are helping in
the struggle, we shall see nothing but
a mass Of smoke ahead, In the midst
Of which. dimly outlined, we can dis
tinguish the forms of the foremost
workers. From each tussock or tult
OF heather a splitting flame leaps
cracking fiercely. breaking out again
at intervals behind us as we work
blindly on. 1t Is now no question OF
keeping level strip, with even edges
and no Jagged corners. but literally
fight to the death with the fiery
monster. and struggle from which
we shall emerge with singed hair and
clothes reeking with the smoke. Far
ahead OF us 1t leaps onwards. jumping
rivulets In its resistless course. hurting
itself from slope to slope In fierce
derision at our puny efforts. per-
chance crossing the march into
neighbor's ground. 1t matters little
what caused the outbreak. q sudden
rise OF the wind or a match thrown
carelessly among the heather-there
Is time enough afterwards to discuss
all this, and the reason why. Our
only object now is to regain control
Of the flames. to stamp them out, and
then sink exhausted beside some
cool spring or streamlet And 80 we
fight our way forward: a broom or
"besom" snaps in half. and another
is snatched from a lad following be-
H. B. MACPHERSON.