The berries are either gathered by hand, or large straw mats are spread underneath, and the trees well shaken.

The first method is the more troublesome, but, without comparison, the better one.
Another novelty, which I saw here for the first time, were the frequent burning forests, which had been set on fire to clear the ground for cultivation.

In most cases I merely saw immense clouds of smoke curling upwards in the distance, and desired nothing more earnestly than to enjoy a nearer view of such a conflagration.

My wish was destined to be fulfilled today, as my road lay between a burning forest and a burning rost.

{40} The intervening space was not, at the most, more than fifty paces broad, and was completely enveloped in smoke.