Burning Slash
Taken in the former Finnish municipality of Räisälä, this photograph depicts two women burning the slash to prepare the land for farming. It appears they are working in their bare feet.
In late 19th-century Finland, slash-and-burn agriculture was a common farming technique, particularly in the forested areas of the country. This method involved clearing patches of forest by cutting down trees and then burning the vegetation. The ashes left behind provided essential nutrients to the soil, allowing for the cultivation of crops such as rye, barley, oats, and potatoes. After a few years of cultivation, the land would be left fallow to regenerate while another area was cleared and cultivated. While effective in the short term, slash-and-burn agriculture often led to soil degradation over time, as repeated burning depleted nutrients and reduced soil fertility. Despite its drawbacks, this method remained prevalent in Finland until modern agricultural practices gradually replaced it in the 20th century.
Original Photograph
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Restored Photograph
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Photo Information
Original photo courtesy of the Finnish Heritage Agency
Photographer: Adolf Reinhold Aarnio
Year: 1890
Link to original photo here
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