On the Nature and Advantages of Inclosures. 171 



the neighbourhood of open fields and commons tends to ren- 



rigours of the climate more severe, 

 regard to " The disadvantages of inclosures " they need 

 not be dwelt on, as they can only be said to exist in the 

 abuse or mismanagement of the system. Inclosures, when too 



ill, especially on low fertile ground, harbour insects, and 

 produce too much shade. These contribute to deteriorate 

 the quality of the produce; and cattle and sheep are more 

 exposed to torment and danger from different species of 

 flies. 



Another species of disadvantage arises from the injudicious 

 shape of inclosures, and their not being laid out according 

 to their slope or aspect. These errors have been so glaring 

 and inconvenient, that in some instances, old inclosures have 

 been entirely new divided, and the old fences grubbed up. 



It has also been remarked, that inclosures are attended 

 with this disadvantage, that they retain moisture among the 

 trees and hedges, and prevent the full effect of wind in dry- 

 ing the crop during harvest. But this inconvenience is in 

 some degree compensated by the corn becoming earlier 

 ripe, from the warmth which the inclosures furnish. 



Some have imagined, that the soil might be injured, by 

 the greater evaporation which the warmth of inclosures may 

 occasion. But it can hardly be disputed, that evaporation 

 is more effectually promoted, by free air and wind, than by 

 heat. 



On the whole, it appears, that the arguments in favour 

 of inclosures, as a general system, greatly preponderate : nor 

 is it an unimportant consideration, that they give a country 

 a more ornamental and picturesque appearance. 



2. The Sorts of Inclosures adapted for different Soils and 

 Situations. 



The nature and size of inclosures, ought to vary according 

 to situation and other circumstances, the principles of which 

 shall be briefly explained. 



1. Inclosures in the vicinity of towns. Near a town, small 

 inclosures are usually preferred. From five to ten acres 

 may, in general, be considered as the most convenient size. 

 As wooden fences and dead hedges are liable to depredations, 

 the most advisable fences for such inclosures are, either 

 quick hedges dressed thick and low, or stone walls, edged, 

 or tipt with lime (J^). 



2. Inclosures in low and rich soils. Where the soil is re- 



