102 AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 



tlo credit to the good sense and j^ood management of Mr 

 Boys, who farms it Where snow is likely to be drifted, 

 such pits should be protected by a mound or bank round 

 the top; this precaution would be requisite also as a se- 

 curity to stock depasturing near it. 



In Herefordshire, corn-stacks are the sheds un- 

 der which the Rycland sheep seek for shelter ; this 

 also is a profitable and oeconomical arrangement, be- 

 cause the staddles must be built high enough to keep the 

 corn out of the reach of vermin, and the height which is 

 sufficient to effect this purpose, is ample for the shelter «>f 

 a flock of sheep. 



Two frames, one of them fastened to the back of hur- 

 dles, either round the fold, or if only half round it, on 

 that side where the wind is, and the other forming a pent- 

 house, or cover, towards the inside of the fold, resting on 

 a pole of four or five feet in height, with a declivity of 

 fourteen or fifteen inches, to allow the rain to run off, 

 will give sheep all the protection they require, will keep 

 their fodder dry, and will allow them to seek fresh air 

 ■uhen they want it. These frames may be made of five 

 poles, each eight feet long, and at fifteen inches distance 

 from each other ; may be bound with withy or rope yarn, 

 to reeds, long straw, or any light substance, which will 

 turn wind ajid rain; by the help of a light drag on four 

 low wheels, these and the hurdles may be moved from 

 place to place, and set up again in as little time as, wit^i- 

 cut such a carriage, is required to change a common fold. 

 Tlie convenience and trifling expence of such cotting^ 

 must defeat every objection to a system which ought 

 ]ong ago to have been in general adoption throughout the 

 island; it is possible that, by a sudden change of wind^ 

 when blowing hard, these sheltered hurdles may be 

 thrown down occasionally, and sometimes broken ; but 

 they may be replaced at a trifling expence. No other 

 objection worthy of notice occurs to their general use. 



In Scotland, and the northern counties of England, 

 where most wanted, it is to be regretted that covered 

 fol4s are rarely, if ever; to be found. 



