48 OF FENCES, AND GATES. 



As to hedge-rows, Mr Wight of Ormiston very justly 

 observes, that he considers them destructive to the fences 

 themselves, as thorns never thrive near the tree-roots, nor 

 under the drop of the tree. The roots, running into the 

 field in all directions, never fail to break and damage the 

 plough, and to interrupt the operations of the field. The 

 corn growing under the shade and drop of the trees, is al- 

 most universally laid down, of course not filled, unequally 

 ripened, and not so soon ready for the stack-yard as the 

 other parts of the field. In late and wet seasons, the corn 

 is never harvested in proper condition, and in many in- 

 stances it is totally lost. The grass under the drop, is also 

 of inferior quality, compared to the other parts of the field, 

 and is unwholesome to cattle and horses.* 



In regard to belts of planting, they are peculiarly useful 

 in hilly countries, from the warmth and shelter they afford. 

 There is every reason to believe, that in such situations, 

 beech is the best hedge, the old leaves remaining till the 

 new ones sprout out, and shelter being thus given to the 

 adjoining fields, even in the midst of winter. They must 

 be strong or woody, however, to turn horses or cattle. 



In flat countries, it is by far the best mode, to plant the 

 corners of fields, which are not accessible to the plough, 

 end where a great deal of useful timber may be raised. In 

 the annexed engravings, that system is explained. It is pro- 



* A respectable correspondent farther remarks, that hedge-row timber, 

 especially ash, is a fatal enemy to corn. The influence of the roots, in 

 attracting moisture and fertility, may be seen in a circular form, on every 

 arable spot in their immediate neighbourhood. They are in fact the 

 landlord's thieves, who steal from the tenant's crop every year, ten times 

 the value of their own improvement. The same disadvantage is felt from 

 trees in gardens. When trees also are cut down from hedge-rows, the 

 thorns which grow among their dead roots generally die, especially if the 

 trees cut down are of the fir tribe. 



