30 SIZE AND SHAPE OF FIELDS. 



stantial manner, and it is in general the practice, that the 

 tenant shall keep the house in repair. It is a great addi- 

 tion to the landlord's income, to be exonerated from so 

 heavy a charge, which in England amounts to from 5 to 15 

 per cent, per annum, on the rental of farms above 100 acres. 

 In Berwickshire, the calculation is, that a thoroughly well- 

 built farm-house and offices, which must cost about L.3000, 

 ought to be kept in repair, during a lease of 19 years, for 

 L. 100 in all, and left in thorough repair for an equal sum, 

 which will only be at the rate of 10 per cent., on one year's 

 rent, and will hardly exceed \ per cent, on the rental per 

 annum ; and in Scotland, laying the repairs on the tenant, 

 is rarely found to be attended with any material loss. 



On the whole, it can hardly be questioned, that it would 

 make a difference of from L.50 to L. 100 per annum, in the 

 expence of labour, where the particulars above mentioned 

 have been properly attended to, when farm buildings are 

 erected. 



SECT. III. Size and Shape of Fields. 



THIS is a point, which, in so far as regards arable cul- 

 ture, has been brought to a considerable degree of perfec- 

 tion, according to the system of husbandry adopted in the 

 more improved districts of Scotland. Nothing can be more 

 absurd, with a view to the culture of grain, than to have a 

 number of small inclosures, irregularly shaped, surrounded 

 with high hedges and trees ; and such a system perhaps 

 general in a flat country, where so much shelter is unneces- 

 sary. Such a plan is peculiarly reprehensible, where horse* 



