On clearing Land, and on Fences. 117 



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country, where timber abounds, and the population 

 and capital are inconsiderable. They are formed by 

 falling the timber in the line where the fences are de- 

 signed to be run, and by supplying the deficiencies 

 which will afterwards appear, with the limbs and tops 

 of the trees which happen to have taken too great a 

 spread, from the center of the line of the fence, after 

 which, the residue of the work is completed, from the 

 sound timber which has been blown down, if at hand, 

 or such saplings or trees as are found growing close to 

 the spots where they are wanted. When this kind of 

 fence has been properly built, or heaped up, it is said 

 that even deer do not often pass over them ; the rea- 

 son assigned is, that they will not venture to leap, 

 where they cannot see the spot of ground on which 

 they must land : but it possesses other advantages : 

 1st. The close texture of this fence excludes all ani- 

 mals from either creeping or breaking through it. 2d. 

 When repairs become necessary, the limbs or trunks of 

 the girdled trees will furnish a sufficient supply for the 

 purpose, until a thick growth of plants has spread 

 themselves throughout the whole length of the fence, 

 by which they will be protected, and also nourished 

 from the decaying of its parts, until they acquire suf- 

 ficient strength, to form a better and more lasting 

 fence than any other, except those made with thorn. 

 3d. When it shall be found convenient to remove this 

 fence, the extensive ridge of rich soil which will be 

 found under it, from the decayed vegetable matter, 

 furnishes an immense quantity of valuable manure. 

 Such a fence as this will not occupy more room than 



