16 



AND SHAPE Ot FIElDS. 



This ij a point, which, in so far as regards arable 

 culture, has been brought to a considerable degree of 

 perfection, according to the system of husbandry adopt- 

 ed in the more improved districts of Scotland. No- 

 tJiing can be more absurd, with a view to the cul- 

 ture of grain, than to have a number of small inclo- 

 stires, irregularly shaped, surrounded with high hedges 

 and trees ; and such a system general perhaps in a flat 

 country, where shelter is unnecessary. Such a plan is 

 peculiarly reprehensible, where horses and cattle are the 

 principal objects of attention, as soiling, (or giving 

 them cut grten food in yards or houses), is greatly pre- 

 ferable to pasturage : yet so inveterate is the prejudice 

 -for small fields, that though the expence of inclosures has 

 now become enormous, they are still persevered in, even 

 in new inclosures, under the authority of acts of Parlia- 

 ment, by which the charges of that foundation of agri- 

 cultural improvement are greatly increased, to the in- 

 jury, and not to the advantage of the property inclosed. 

 We shall proceed, therefore, to state, what in Scotland 

 is considered to' be the best size of fields in an impro- 

 ved arable district, and the principles on which the 

 system is founded. 



The circumstances on which the size of fields ought t 

 depend, are principally the following : 



The expence of repairs varies so exceedingly, according to 

 the age of buil iin^s, their number, and the nature and price 

 of materials, ihat it is impossible to draw arcrages : in Suf- 

 folk, I should gue<s from 5 to 15 per cent, on the rental of 

 farmo above 100 acres. 



