No. 85. 1 85 



A specimen of laying out a farm is given in the preceding plan. It 

 is of the very simplest kind, or aright-angled parallelogram, on nearly 

 level land — a form that often occurs. It lies on one side of a public 

 road, which is lined with forest trees. The middle enclosure on the 

 road contains the dwelling, the barn, and other out-buildings. It is 

 planted with trees for shade, ornament, and domestic enjoyment — not 

 set " all in a row," but in the graceful or picturesque style which dis- 

 tinguishes a beautiful natural landscape. On one side are the fruit, 

 kitchen, and flower gardens — the lot containing them being oblong, to 

 separate certain portions of the fruit garden for pigs — the sovereign 

 remedy for the curculio ; the orchard may occupy the lot adjoining. 

 The remainder of the farm is divided into fields nearly square, each 

 being entered from the lane by a good gate. These fields may be in- 

 creased or lessened in size without altering the position of the lane. 

 They should always be sufficiently numerous to admit a good rotation, 

 and to separate at all times the pasture from the tillage land. 



In laying out a farm with a very uneven surface, or irregular shape, 

 it would be best to draw, first, a plan adapted to smooth ground, as 

 the one just given ; and then vary the size and shape of the fields, 

 the distance of the lane from the center, its straightness, &c., accord- 

 ing to the circumstances of the case. 



Fences. — The kind of fence used, and the material for its construc- 

 tion, must depend on circumstances and localities. A good fence is 

 always to be preferred to an imperfect one ; though it cost more, it 

 will more than save that cost, and three times the amount in vexa- 

 tion besides, by keeping cattle, colts, and pigs, out of fields of grain. 

 A thriving farmer, whose whole land, except a small part with stone 

 wall, is enclosed by common rail fence, with upright cedar stakes 

 and connecting caps at the top, finds that it needs renewing once in 

 six years. He accordingly divides his whole amount of fences into 

 six parts, one of which is built new every year. All is thus kept 

 systematically in good repair. Stone walls, if set a foot below the 

 surface to prevent tumbling by frost, are the most durable fence. 

 Hedges have not been sufficiently tried. The English hawthorn is 

 not well adapted to our hotter and drier climate ; and though some- 

 times doing well for a time, is not to be depended on. The Buck- 

 thorn in New-England, and the Newcastle and Washington thorns in 

 Pennsylvania and Delaware, have succeeded finely. 



Gates. — Every field on the farm should be entered by a good self' 



