In my Grandfather's young fays the Bonfire on St. John's Eve was attended by young and old.
When the fire had died down those who owned land in the neighbourhood took some of the burning sticks and threw them into the tillage fields.
The also took some to the stalls where the cattle were housed and drew them along the hind quarters of the cattle.
This was supposed to prevent the bad spirits from doing harm to the crops or the animals.