42 SIZE AND SHAPE OF FIELDS. 



useful experiments j also for raising tares, lucern, sainfoin, 

 &c. and for various other purposes.* 



2. Where inclosures are found too large for particular 

 purposes, the field may be effectually subdivided by sheep- 

 flakes, or hurdles, a sort of portable fence, well known to 

 every turnip-grower. When carefully set, they are a com- 

 plete fence, at least for sheep. By this means great advan- 

 tage is derived, from the constant use of the land that would 

 otherwise have been occupied by stationary fences, and the 

 expence of subdivisions, which, on a large farm, would ne- 

 cessarily have been numerous, is thereby avoided. f 



3. In some cases, the size of fields should vary with the 

 size of the farm, more especially when there is a diversity 

 of soil. In a farm of 200 acres, it is contended, that there 

 should be 8 inclosures of 20 acres each, and 4 of 10. In a 

 farm of 300 acres, 8 inclosures of SO acres each, and 4 of 

 15 acres; and in a farm of 700 acres, 8 inclosures of 50 

 acres each, and 12 of 25 acres. Thus dividing a farm into 

 eight, twelve, sixteen, or twenty inclosures, according to 

 its extent, and varying the mode of cropping according as 



* Remarks by Mr Robert Kerr, the intelligent Reporter of Berwick- 

 shire ; Mr Wilson of Simprin, and others. Mr Stewart of Hillside also 

 observes, that it is often found convenient to have some small inclosed 

 fields upon extensive farms, where the general plan of management is 

 calculated for large fields. Besides the purposes mentioned in the text, 

 it may sometimes be necessary to turn out young horses, mares and foals, 

 and old horses, and to have small fields of ruta baga, and other winter 

 and spring vegetables conveniently situated for the farm-offices, and dis- 

 tinct from the large fields. It might not answer the purpose, to have di- 

 visions for these in large fields separated by sheep flakes. Besides the 

 expence and inefficacy of that plan, the succeeding crop rojght not suit 

 that of the large fields. 



f Hints from Mr Hunter of Tynefield, and Mr Cuthbertson, near 

 Prestonpans. 



