FENCING. 301 



tion I. of this Chapter ; choosing the six-foot 

 ditch, however ; thrusting Willow, Poplar, 

 or Alder truncheons down, instead of laying 

 them flat, as the thorns ; and building the 

 top- dyke as follows : 



Some months previous to the work being 

 set about, dig a sufficient quantity of turf- 

 sods to face both sides of the dyke. Twelve 

 inches long, six broad, and four or five thick, 

 will be found a convenient size. They may 

 be ranged along, at the back of where the 

 banking is to lie, for conveniency. When 

 ready to build, temper a quantity of mud 

 from the ditch, in manner of mortar, but ra- 

 ther thinner. Clay, or a mixture thereof, 

 would be preferable. Proceed to build the 

 dyke as if it were a stone and lime wall, or 

 rather, a brick wall ; facing with the turfs, 

 bedding with the mud, and packing the 

 heart with earth from the banking. From 

 twenty to thirty inches at bottom, fifteen, <?r 

 twenty at top, and a yard high, are the di- 

 mensions ; but these may be varied according 

 to the size of the turfs, and other circum- 

 stances. When finished, lay on a single sod, 

 wettish, and green-side up for a coping. 



