294 Farming of Leicestersldre. 



the brush ,is laid, it is usually protected by post and rails until 

 sufficiently grown to hold its own with the cattle. 



Of late years wire has been found an efficient substitute for 

 rails for this purpose ; but the innovation is by no means relished 

 by the hunting- gentlemen, and in many instances, to accommo- 

 date them, the farmers take it down during the hunting season. 



The instances are very rare where any attempt is made by 

 annual switching or trimming to confine those fences to a given 

 shape or space, but laterally and vertically their extension is 

 unlimited, until the time again comes round for cutting down. 



A theorist or stranger from an arable district would at first be 

 likely utterly to condemn these huge hedges, but a little acquaint- 

 ance with the district and its management would enable him to 

 see that a high fence, and a thick strong fence, is not only neces- 

 sary, but when cattle are kept in the fields late in autumn and 

 early in spring — if not during the greater part of the winter — it 

 is actually indispensable. 



The point worth consideration is, whether by annual trimming 

 they could not laterally be confined to a moderate space, and at 

 the same time trained to a form combining the height, closeness, 

 and strength necessary for the shelter and confinement of the 

 bullocks, and at an expense not exceeding the gain that would 

 result from the space rendered available as pasture. The prac- 

 tice of Lord Berners, Mr. Burbige of Thorpe Arnold, and 

 some others, who yearly trim a portion of their fences, which 

 are excellent, shelter-giving, and bullock-proof, proves that this 

 can be done, but with what economy there are no data to show. 

 The probability is that the balance preponderates little either 

 way ; but surely the neat, cultivated, trim aspect which such a 

 practice imparts to the country ought to turn the scale in its 

 favour. 



The ordinary fences, though in appearance rugged, are in 

 general very good, the only exceptions being those in which 

 hedge-row timber is abundant. Here, as a rule, they are very 

 bad, and the expense required to maintain them in a state ot 

 efficiency is very considerable. 



Fakm Management. 



Three different modes of farm management prevail, viz. : — 

 1. Grazing; 2. Breeding, rearing, and grazing; and o. Dairy- 

 ing. A brief detail of the practice of each will be necessary. 



Grazing Farms. — Generally these comprise the richest and 

 most fertile land in the Division ; and although the winter accom- 

 modation for cattle is, as a rule, scanty, and indeed many hold- 



