as possible. Again, the disposition of lanes is 

 a matter of consequence, so as to avoid unne- 

 cessary length and fencing-, and occupy the 

 least quantity of ground. 



But these rules may be materially affected 

 by other considerations. For instsmce, it is very 

 desirable that land of similar quality may be in 

 the same enclosure. Some may be naturally 

 too wet for any thing but meadow or pasture ; 

 some may be much lighter, and susceptible of 

 plowing, while others are not; some may be 

 naturally sterile, and need unusual manuring, 

 with green crops. All these should, as far as 

 practicable, be included each in its own sepa- 

 rate boundary. The situation of surface-drains, 

 forming the boundaries of fields, may influence 



tlieir shape ; facilities for irrigation may have 

 an essential bearing ; convenience for watering 

 cattle is not to be forgotten. Where, in addi- 

 tion to all these considerations, the laud is liilly, 

 still more care and thought is required iu the 

 subdivision, which may possibly require years 

 of experience ; but where fixed fences are once 

 made, it is hard to remove them ; hence a pre- 

 vious thorough examination should be made. 

 A farm road, much used for heavy loads, should 

 be made hard and firm, and cannot be easily 

 altered ; it should consequently be exactly in 

 the right place, and be drj', level and short — 

 the shape of adjoining fields even conforming 

 to these requisitions ; but a I'oad little used 

 should not interfere with the outlines of fields. 



A Bpecimen of laying out a farm is given in 

 the preceding plan. It is of the very simplest 

 kii d, or a right-angled parallelogram, on nearly 

 Im el land — a form that often occurs. It lies on 

 O! e side of a public road, which is lined with 

 1. rest trees. The middle enclosure on the road 

 contains the dwelling, the bam, and other out- 

 bui'dings. It is planted with trees for shade, 

 ornament, and domestic enjoyment — not set " all 

 in a row," but in the graceful or picturesque 

 style which distinguishes a beautiful natural 

 landscape. On one side are the fiiiit, kitchen, 

 and flower gardens — the lot containing them 

 beijig oblong, to separate certain portions of the 

 fi-uit garden for pips— the sovereign remedy 

 for the curculio ; the orchard may "occupy the 

 lot adjoining. The remain ier of the fann is 

 divided into fields nearly square, each being 

 entered from the lane by a good gate. The.se 

 fields may be increased or les.sened in size with- 

 out altering the position of the lane. They 

 should always be sufficiently numerous to admit 

 a good rotation, and to separate at all times the 

 pasture from the tillage land. 



In laying otjt a fanu with a very uneven sur- 

 face, or irregular .«hapc. it would be best to draw, 

 first, a plan adapted to smooth ground, as the one 

 just given ; .ind then var>- the size and shape of 

 the fields, the distance of the lane from the cen- 



(6e) 



tro, its straightness, &c., aceording to the cir- 

 cumstances of the case. 



Fences. — The kind of fence used, and the 

 material for its construction, must depend on 

 circumstances and localities. A good fence is 

 always to be preferred to an imperfect one ; 

 though it cost more, it will more than save that 

 co.st, and three times the amount in vexation be- 

 sides, by keeping cattle, colts, and pigs out of 

 fields of grain. A thriving farmer, ^vhose whole 

 land, except a small part with stone -wall, is en- 

 closed by common rail fence, with upright cedar 

 stakes and connecting caps at the top. finds tliat 

 it needs renewing once in six years. He ac- 

 cordinsrly divides his whole amount of fences 

 into six parts, one of vv'hich is built new every 

 year. All is thus kept systematically in good 

 repair. Stone walls, if .set a foot below the 

 surface to prevent tumbling by frost, are the 

 most durable fence. Hedges have not been suf- 

 ficiently tried. The English hawthorn is not 

 ■well adapted to our hotter and drier climate ; 

 and thouch sometimes doing well for a time, is 

 not to be depended on. The bucktho™ in New- 

 England, and the Nev.'castle and Washington 

 thorns in Pennsylvania and Dcla%\"are, have suc- 

 ceeded finely. 



G.4TES. — Every field on the fiirm should be 

 entered by a good self shutting and self fastening 



