74 FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



Dew is, therefore, fertilizing; and this is the reason 

 "why lands will be most benefited, by being constantly 

 ploughed when the dew is on them. 

 See FALLOWING, See. 



DITCH. This is either for enclosing grounds, to serve 

 sn the place of other fencing, or to carry off superfluous 

 water. When made for a fence, it ought to be four feet 

 wide at the top, one, or less, at the bottom, and about two 

 and a halt deep ; with the earth all thrown out on one side, 

 and banked up as high as possible. This, however, is but 

 a poor fence, unless a hedge of some kind be planted on it; 

 or, unless it be raised higher by posts and rails, or boards ; 

 or, by stakes and wickerwork ; and this, where cedar can 

 fee had for the purpose, makes a good durable fence. 

 See HEDGES. 



To drain swamps., ditches ought to be of size and depth 

 proportionate to the extent of the swamp; or rather let 

 them be proportionate to the quantity of water to be car- 

 ried off. Those round the edges of the swamp ought to be 

 so placed, as to receive all the water from the springs 

 which commonly run in on every side; or, if convenient, 

 they should be so placed as to cut off the springs, by re- 

 ceiving them into the ditch. When a very wet swamp is 

 to be drained, the months of August and September are 

 the best for performing this labor, as the ground is then 

 driest; while, at the same time, the water will not prove 

 troublesome by its coldness. The proper proportions for 

 these kinds of ditches are, to be three times as wide at the 

 top as they are at the bottom, and a little more than half 

 as deep as they are wide. If they are not thus sloped 

 they will fall in ; owing to the heaving of the ground 

 by the frosts. To prevent their falling in, it is advisa- 

 ble to sow some strong-rooted grass on the sides of the 

 ditches. 



See farther, BOG-MEADOW. 



DIVISIONS OF A FARM. If a farm be nearly square, 

 it may sometimes be advisable to have a wide lane through 

 the middle, and lots laid off on each side ; or, if it be more 

 oblong, a wide lane on one side may be advisable, and the 

 lots laid off to it. No certain directions can, however, be 

 given on this head, owing to the different shapes, soils, Sec. 

 of farms. A lane of this kind may often be the more 

 eligible where it can take in some spring, or other living 

 >vater ; as, in that case, every field becomes accessible to 

 the water at all times, by leaving open the gate of thsrt 

 'which is in present use in pasturing, 



