Book III. 



SHELTERING FARM LANDS. 



687 



underwood, in groves of either of the above descriptions, would, if suitable situations were 

 assigned them, assist much in this intention. 



4232. A tall impervious fence is, for the purpose of shelter to pasturing stock, nearly 

 equal to a depth of coppice wood, and infinitely preferable ^to an open grove of timber 

 trees ; beside its additional use as a fence. There appears, one species of fence which is 

 peculiarly adapted to this purpose. This is the coppice mound hedge of Devonshire 

 and South Wales; namely, a high wide bank or mound of earth, planted with 

 coppice woods. This becomes, immediately on its erection, a shelter and g. guard to 

 pasture grounds. 



4233. The method of forming fences of this intention is that of carrying up a stratum of 

 earth, between two sod facings, " battering," or leaning somewhat inward, to the re- 

 quired height ; and planting on the top the roots and lower stems of coppice plants, 

 gathered in woods, or on waste grounds ; or with nursery plants, adapted to the given 

 situation. If the mound be carried to a full height, as five or six feet, and about that 

 width at the top, and this be planted with strong plants, with stems cut off about two feet 

 above the roots (in the usual practice of Devonshire), a sufficient fence is thus immediately 

 formed against ordinary stock. But if the bank be lower, or if nursery plants be put in, 

 a slight guard, run along the outer brink, on either side, and leaning outward, over the 

 face of the mound, is required (especially against sheep) until the plants get up. If a 

 hedge of this kind be raised as a plantation fence, (^specially on the lower side of ^ slope) 



