FENCES. 237 



in a high degree. The hurdle or light moveable fence is 

 variously formed of cordage, wire or wicker work, in short 

 panels, and firmly set into the ground by sharpened stakes 

 at the end of each panel, and these are fastened together. 

 This is a convenient appendage to farms where heavy greeu 

 crops of clover, lucern, rteas, turneps, &c. are required to be 

 fed off in successive lots, by sheep, swine or cattle. The 

 w.nkcn fence or wall is by far the most agreeable to good 

 taste, and it is perfectly efficient. It consists of a vertical 

 excavation on one side, about five feet in depth, against 

 which a wall is built to the surface of the ground. The 

 opposite side is inclined at such an angle as will preserve 

 the sod without sliding from the effects of frost or rain, and 

 is then turfed over. A farm thus divided, presents no 

 obstruction to the view, while it is every where properly 

 walled in, besides affording good ditches for the drainage of 

 water. These sunken fences are sometimes raised a couple 

 of feet above the ground, which increases the protection, at 

 a less cost than deepening and widening the ditch. Good 

 fences, at all times kept in perfect repair, are the cheapest. 

 Most of the unruly animals are taught their habits bv their 

 owners. Fences that are half down or which will fall by 

 the rubbing of cattle, will soon teach them to jump and throw 

 down such as they are unable to overleap. For the same 

 reason, gates are better than bars. When the last are used, 

 they should be let down so near the ground that every ani- 

 mal can step over conveniently ; nor should they be hurried 

 over so last as to induce any animal to jump. In driving a 

 flock of sheep through them, the lower bars ought to be 

 taken entirely out, or they be allowed to go over the bars 

 in single file. Animals will seldom become jumpers except 

 through their owners faulr, or from some bad example set 

 them by unruly associates ; and unless the fences be per- 

 fectly secure, these ought to be stalled till they can be dis- 

 posed of. The farmer will find that no animal will repay 

 him the trouble and cost of' expensive fences and ruined 

 crops. 



Hedges have from time immemorial, been used in Great 

 Britain and some parts of the European continent, but arc 

 now growing unpopular with utilitarian agriculturists. They 

 occupy a great deal of ground, and harbor much vermin. 

 A few only have been introduced in this country, and they 

 will probably never become favorites among us. For those 



