442 MODERN FARRIER. 



ground. If the walls are built with turf, the base 

 should be four feet thick, and the top two feet. 

 The height should not be less than six feet. Two 

 or three openings should be left, towards the south ; 

 and a drain so constructed as to take off the wetness 

 of the ground, rain water, and that from melted 

 snow, sliould be dug round the outside, communi- 

 cating by holes in the wall with the inside of the 

 inclosure. After having been once or twice driven 

 iiilo these inclosures, or rings, the sheep will of their 

 own accord draw- towards them on the approach of 

 snow. The shepherd will always find his flock as- 

 sembled in the rings during snow, and he will not 

 often have to risk his life by searching for lost sheep 

 among wreaths. Clumps of Scotch firs have been 

 found of great use on some farms ; and now, when 

 the rents of sheep pastures have become so great, (it 

 may be said extravagant,) it is probable that sheep 

 farmers will insist on some stipulation being made 

 in their leases foi* plantations. It cannot be expect- 

 ed that tenants are to be ^t the expense of planting 

 trees, which will only begin to be useful when half 

 the period of the duration of an ordinary lease has 

 expired. Plantations require time to grow, and 

 some care and expence for their protection when 

 young. It is needless to enter here on the subject 

 of leases. It is enough to observe, that to ensure 

 the prosperity of the tenant, and the security of a 

 landlord, they should both be liberal, and inclined 

 to accomodate each other. 



In gentlemen's parks, and on low grounds, where 

 attendance can be constantly afforded, there is less 

 occasion for shelter. Clumps of trees, especially of 

 spruce fir, the foliage of which is closer and more 

 ornamental than that of the Scotch pine, will, how- 

 ever, be found extremely useful. Dry knolls should 

 be chosen for them. There is one objection to all 

 the pine tribe, that their leaves do not so quickly 

 rot on the ground as the fallen leaves of other trees, 



