St. Williams Forestry Norfolk Today

"The phough is seldom put into the land before the third or fourth year, nor is it required; the general plan of cropping the first fallow with wheat or oats, and sowing grass-seeds with the grain to make pastures, renders the plough unnecessary till such time as the grass-lands require to be broken up.  This method is pursued by most settlers while they are clearing bush-lands; always chopping and burning enough to keep a regular succession of wheat and spring crops, while the former clearings are allowed to remain in grass." ~ Catharine Parr Traill (1802, 1899)

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/moodie-traill/027013-3000-e.html