Size ami Shape of Fields. 145 



fields as are on the side of a hill, such an obliquity, as may 

 diminish the difficulties of the ascent ( 36<J ). 



6. Pasturage. Where the system of grazing and tillage 

 is alternately followed, (more especially where the fields are 

 pastured for two or three years in succession), it is conve- 

 nient, to have the fields of from 20 to perhaps 30 English 

 acres. The farmer is thus enabled to divide his stock, 

 which he cannot well do with larger fields. The cattle or 

 sheep remain more quiet, than if a greater number were 

 collected together; and less grass is destroyed by treading. 

 When such a field has been pastured for some time, the 

 stock should be removed to another, till the grass in the 

 former has been renewed, and is fit for being eaten. Such 

 a size also, in general, suits graziers better than larger ones ; 

 and consequently fields of this extent, when in pasture, ge- 

 nerally let for more rent. 



7. Climate. The last circumstance to be considered, in 

 determining the proper size of fields, is the nature of the 

 climate. In dry and cold climates, small inclosures are de- 

 sirable, on account of shelter ; whereas in wet countries, the 

 fields under culture, cannot be too open and airy, for the pur- 

 pose of drying the ground, of bringing forward and ripening 

 the grain, and of enabling the farmer more easily to secure 

 it, during an unfavourable harvest, by having a free circula- 

 tion of air. 



But though on large farms, fields should in general be 

 formed on an extensive scale, yet there is a convenience in 

 having a few smaller fields near the farm-house, for keeping 

 the family cows; for turning out young horses, mares, and 

 foals ; for raising a great variety of vegetables ; and for 

 trymg experiments on a small scale, which may afterwards 

 be extended, if they should be found to answer. 



Where inclosures are too large for particular purposes, and 

 where no small fields, as above recommended, have been 

 prepared, large fields may be subdivided by sheep hurdles, 

 a sort of portable fence well known to every turnip grower. 

 In this way, great advantage may be derived, from the con- 

 stant use of land, that would otherwise have been occupied 

 by stationary fences; and the expense of subdivisions, which, 

 on a large farm, would necessarily have been numerous, is 

 thereby avoided. This fence is perfectly effectual against 

 sheep, though it is not so well calculated for stronger ani- 

 mals. On dry soils, where sheep are generally pastured, it 

 is not unlikely, that by using moveable hurdles, the expense 

 of permanent fences might in a great measure be 



