Book III. IMPROVING FARMERIES. 681 



4206. Sho7-cs and sea beaches of gravel and shingle^ without either soil or vegetation, 

 are perhaps the most unimprovable spots of any ; but something may be done with tliem 

 by burying the roots of the arenarious grasses along with a little clay or loamy earth. 

 Of these, the best is the elymus arenarius (^fig. 543 a), already mentioned ; and 

 E. geniculatus {b), and sibiricus (c), would probably succeed equally well. The last 

 grows on the sandy wastes of Siberia, and the preceding is found on the shores of Britain. 



Chap. V. 

 Of the Improvement of Lands already in a state of Culture. 



4207. A profitable application of many of the practices recommended in the Cliapters 

 of this and the foregoing Book may be made to many estates which have been long 

 under cultivation. It is certain, indeed, that the majority of those who study our 

 work will have that object more in view, than the laying out or improvement of estates 

 ab origine. Few are the estates in Britain in which the farm lands do not admit of in- 

 creased value, by rectifying the shape of fields, adjusting their size, improving the fences, 

 draining the soil, or adding to the shelter ; and few are the farmeries that may not be 

 rendered more commodious. Of this, we shall give a few examples, after recognising 

 general principles and modes of proceeding. 



Sect. I. Of the general Principles aiid Modes of Procedure, in improving Estates already 

 more or less improved. 



4208. The groundwork of improvement, on which a practical man may tread with safety 

 and full effect, is an accurate delineation of the existing state, together with a faithful 

 estimate of the present value of the lands and other particulars of an estate to be 

 improved. A general map of the appropriated lands, promptly exhibiting the several 

 farms and fields as they lie, and showing the existing watercourses, embankments, fences, 

 and buildings; the woodlands, standing waters, morasses, and moory grounds ; the known 

 mines and quarries ; together with the commonable lands (if any) belonging to the estate, 

 forms a comprehensive and useful subject of study to the practical improver. It is to 

 him, what the map of a country is to a traveller, or a sea-chart to a navigator. If an estate 

 is large, a faithful delineation of it will enable him in a few hours to set out with advan- 

 tages, respecting the connexions and dependencies of the whole and its several parts, with 

 which as many days, weeks, or months could not furnish him, without such scientific as- 

 sistance. If on the same plan appear the rental value of each field or parcel of land, and 

 the annual produce of each mine, quarry, woodland, and productive water in its present 

 state, the preparatory information which science is capable of furnishing may be consi- 

 dered as complete. And it remains with the artist to study with persevering attention 

 the subject itself, in order to discover the species Of improvements of which it is sus- 

 ceptible, and the suitable means of carrying them into effect. 



4209. The species of improvements that are incident to landed property are numerous. 

 They may, however, be classed under the following heads : the improvement of the out- 

 line, and general consolidation of an estate by purchase, sale, or exchange : the improve- 

 ment of the roads; of the mines and minerals; of the towns, villages, mills, and manu- 

 factories ; of the waters; of the woods and plantations ; and of the farmeries and farm lands. 

 This last subject is the most common, and it is to it that we shall devote the succeeding 

 section. To discuss the other species of improvement, as applied to old estates, would 

 necessarily include so much of what has already passed in review in the foregoing Book, 

 as to be wearisome to the reader. 



Sect. II. Of the Imjrrovement of Farmei'ies and Farm Lands. 



4210. Farm lands are qfrnore or lessvalv according to the means of occupying them. 

 Arable lands in particular require buildings and other conveniences, proportioned to the 

 size of a farm. We frequently see tenants curbed in their operations, and incurring a 

 waste of produce, tlirough the want of sufficient homestalls. On the other hand, we 

 sometimes observe a prodigality of expenditure on farm buildings ; thus not only sinking 

 money unnecessarily, but incurring unnecessary expenses in subsequent repairs, by ex- 

 tending homesteads beyond the sizes of farms. In some cases, therefore, it will be found 

 necessary to curtail the extent of farm buildings, as large barns ; in others to enlarge the 

 yards, and in many to add and re-arrange the whole. The subject therefore may be con- 

 sidered in regard to design and execution ; but as we have already treated fully on laying 

 out new farmeries, we shall here offer only a few general remarks as to alterations. 



4211. /n improving the plan of a farmery the given intention is first to be maturely 

 considered, and the several requisites to be carefully ascertained. The given site is next 



