The Carlisle independent., 1909-11-04

change of wind may upset the cal euiations of the keeper
 It 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 it is dan gerous to work single-handed on theee occasions. It is a golden rule to have plenty of hands, and a few boys, pro, Fided they can be trusted, are invalu- able for watching the smoldering ashes and guarding against a fresh outbreak while the keepers are work Ing elsewhere. In burning long strips 1t is customary to have two men on each side, and in big fire with strong wind flaming the flames 1 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 l time used to be wasted in searching for such material The modern heath CT burners, as shown in one of the i illustrations, have rendered this sys- tenn obsolete, and this innovation is to be welcomed as Tightening consid- l erably what is probably the severest branch of the keepers work.
 That heather, when possible, l should be burnt in small strips or l patches is a theory which requires little proof. If young brood are l 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 it can he l brought properly into control and a system of rotation established. There are few sights more impressive than that of big fire which has got out of control. If we see it from behind. as is probable if 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 l unguish the forms of the foremost workers. From each tussock or tult of heather splitting flame leans cracking fercely, breaking out again at intervals behind us as we work blindly on. It is now no question of keeping q level strip, with even edges and no jagged corners. but literally a fight to the death with the fiery monster, and struggle from which we shall emerge with sfnged hair and clothes reektng with the smoke. Far ahead of us it leaps onwards. jumping riyulets in it's resistless course. hurling itself from slope to slope in fierce derision at our puny efforts ner- | chance crossing the march into neighbor's ground It matters little what caused the outbreak. a sudden rise of the wind or a match throw, earelessly among the heather-there IS time enough afterwards to discuss all this, and the reason why. Our only object now is to regain control or the flames, to stamp them out. and then sink exhausted beside some cool spring or streamlet. And so we light our way forward; a broom or Noesom' snaps in half. and another is snatched from a lad following he hind. Till suddenly a gust of wind blowing down the corrie breaks the smoke, and we come to a halt tri- umphant, on the banks of a rolHcking burn, which has temporarily checked the onrush of the flames.
 To realize the magnitude of sucb a fire one must view it from a distance. and the huge wreath of smoke bill lowing up towards the sky, extending over, perhaps, mile of moorland. and varied by the tongues of yellow flame, cannot fail to inspire one with l the sense of awe which fire alone among the elements can arouse. On these occasions there is always the possibility of the peat below becoming l ig1ited, and in dry weather this is g serious danger.
 Generally, however, keepers avoid all risk of such an occurrence bv burning small strips to check the fire at right angles to the direction of the principal fire. This expedient should always be adopted when burning near wood or close to a neighbours marsh: but where 1t is possible to burn in small patches such precau ticns are no longer necessary.
 H. B. MACPHERSON