102 FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



attempt to climb up, and pass over in that way ; and it will 

 be found impracticable to pass it by a leap ; because, in 

 coming sufficiently near it, for that purpose, the forefeet of 

 the beast must be so much below the level of its hindfeet, 

 that it becomes unable to raise itself to spring to any 

 advantage. 



A hedge may in the mean time be growing on the top 

 of this bank ; and, when it has become sufficiently matured, 

 the addition of the stakes and boards may be taken away, 

 to be used in some other place. 



For hedge-fences, see HEDGES. For making stone-walls, 

 see STONES. 



FERMENTATION. Ground is in a complete state of 

 fermentation, when the adhesion of its particles is destroy- 

 ed ; when it is in a soft puffy state, so that when pressed 

 down it will expand again. It is to be brought to this state 

 by frequent ploughings, or by ploughings and manurings 

 together. 



When ground is in the highest fermentation, it is then in 

 the best state for growing of plants; and the more effectu- 

 ally the fermentation is kept up, during the time in which 

 the plants are growing, the greater will be their growth. 



Frosts have great effect in preparing for a state of fer- 

 mentation in stiff soils, when thrown up during Winter, in 

 such manner as to lie dry. 

 See FREEZING. 



Moderate rains succeeded by warm sunshine, have also 

 a similar effect on such soils. 



During the Summer-season, a proper state of fermenta- 

 tion is only to be produced in the soil when it is neither 

 too wet nor to dry. Poughing, however, when the ground 

 is very dry, if not so good for producing a state of ferment- 

 ation, is, nevertheless, good for killing all weeds and grass, 

 with which the soil may be infested. 



FERN (Polyfiodium.) This weed grows in some cold 

 loamy soils in the northern parts of this State ; but it 

 appears to be easily extirpated by tilling the land. In the 

 northern parts of Europe, it is in many places troublesome 

 and difficult to subdue. They, however, esteem it much 

 when made into manure, as it contains a large portion of 

 alkaline salts. In some parts of the north of Europe, they 

 burn it, and gather the ashes, which, being weted with 

 water, are made into little balls, and dried in the sun, and 

 are then esteemed to be nearly as good as soap, for the 

 purpose of washing. 



Barilla is made from fern, by burning the plants in kilns, 

 so that no air can approach them during their calcination, 



