text:  There is an act of Parliament in force in Ireland for the prevention of burning land which imposes heavy penalties; yet it cannot stop this mischievous practice--and why? Because by having recourse to it the tenant (until he quite exhausts the soil) can raise better crops with more ease to himself; it is a much less troublesome process than that of collecting manure from the scourings of his ditches or his moor land or burning lime; and it enables him to spend the winter months in idleness and amusement when he ought to be providing for his next year's crops