The new era., 1909-11-04
a JNWGZE-AAM2kD JZRZIGGZE -

cnange OF wind may upset the cal
culatfons of the keeper.
1t is no easy job heather-burning on
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 these
occasions. 1t is golden rule to have
plenty of hands. and few boys, pro-
vided 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 it is customary to have two
men on each side. and in a 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-
TEN obsolete, and this innovation is
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. II young brood are
surprised by bird or beast of prey
in the middle of a 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 big fire which has got out
of control. If we see 1t from behind.
as is probable II we are helping In
the struggle. we shall see nothing but
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 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 it leaps onwards. jumping
rivulets in its resistless course. hurling
itself from slope to slope in fierce
derision at our puny efforts, per-
chance crossing the march into a
4 neighbor's ground. 1t matters little
what caused the outbreak, a 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 so we
fight our way forward: a broom or
"besom" snaps in hail. and another
is snatched from lad following be-
hind. Till suddenly gust OF wind
blowing down the corrie breaks the
smoke. and we come to a halt. tri
umphant. on the banks of a rollicking
burn, which has temporarily checked
the onrush Of the flames.
To realize the magnitude of such a
fire one must view 1t 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
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
ignited. and in dry weather this is u
serious danger.
Generally. however. keepers avoid
all risk of such an occurrence BY
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 neighbor's
marsh: but where 1t is possible to
burn in small patches such precau-
tions are no longer necessary.
H B. MACPHERSON.