538 PAKM ACCOUNTS. [DEC. 



very easy, when the measure of the fields is known. 

 1 need not observe, that the farmer, in dividing the 

 rent, should do it as exaolly and as fairly as possible, 

 and that the two other articles should be proportioned 

 to the rent. 



But here occurs one difficulty, which is, I confess, 

 puzzling : it is the difference between the gross an< 

 the neat measure of the fields of an inclosed farm. 

 The hedges, ditches, and borders, take up, in many 

 farms, a considerable portion of the field ; from one- 

 eighth to one-twelfth, and in some, even more 

 now if these be reckoned and accounted for as a part 

 of the field, then the acreable produce is aftecled, an< 

 even the profit of the husbandry, by a circumstance not 

 essentially connected with it ; and if two fields be 

 compared in their husbandry, that may be most ad- 

 vantageous which has least border, and for that rea- 

 son, which would derange a comparison entirely. I 

 know but one method of getting rid of this difficulty, 

 which is to measure the neat contents where the 

 plough goes in nn arable field, and where the scythes 

 cut in a grass one, and then, deducting the total ol 

 those measures from the gross contents of the farm, 

 throw the difference into one account by itself, under 

 the title of fences and borders, to which account 

 must he charged the proportion of rent, tithe, and 

 parish taxes. If wood be cut or grubbed from these 

 borders, or grass mown from them, the value of the 

 wood or hay to be credited. The ex pence of the 

 fences to be charged, and the balance of the whole 



* Margins of grass an: common round the fields in Suffolk. 



for 





