On the Nature and Advantages of Inclosures. 175 



depends on vicinity to lime. If the flat bedded stone be 

 carefully selected, and well put together, by masons accus- 

 tomed to that work, the walls last an indefinite time, and are 

 repaired at a very easy expense. The original cost of a five 

 foot wall of this kind, where, (as is generally the case), the 

 stone lies near at hand, is not more than from 4s. 6d. to 6s. 

 the perch, (statute measure). 



It is not possible to say, what is the cost per acre, of in- 

 closing land in this manner, without defining the extent and 

 shape of the space inclosed. Suppose, (for instance), afield 

 of ten acres, inclosed in a square, the cost would be about 

 L.4 per acre. If in an extended parallelogram of 80 by 20, 

 the expense per acre would be raised to L.5 ; and for that 

 sum, where the stone is within a moderate distance, any field 

 may be inclosed, the shape of which does not greatly deviate 

 from the square ( 7 f). 



2. Hedges of Thorn. The hawthorn, (cratcegus oxyacantha, 

 Linn.) or white thorn, is justly accounted preferable for a 

 fence, to every other plant, hitherto known in Europe (W). 

 If placed in a proper soil, it is a quick grower, is of a hardy 

 nature, produces numerous branches, has prickles for its de- 

 fence, becomes stronger by age, and when properly trained, 

 and occasionally cut over, there is no period to its duration. 

 If suffered to grow too tall, it makes but a bad fence, be- 

 coming open below, and from its height, injurious to the 

 crops in its neighbourhood. When hedges, therefore, come 

 to a proper height and strength as fences, they ought to be 

 cut into a shape, the least likely to give obstruction to the 

 motion of the air, or to do injury, either to the roads, or the 

 fields in their neighbourhood (84). 



If hedge plants of five years old can be procured, Lord 

 Kames maintains, that they deserve all the additional surn 

 that can be demanded for them, as they require less railing 

 for their protection ( 8 ). Hence the establishment of nur- 

 series, for raising hedge-plants to a stature fit, or nearly fit, 

 to form a fence, with less necessity for their being guarded, 

 has been strongly recommended. Such plants would be of 

 particular use in filling up gaps and unnecessary gate- 

 ways (^J. 



In Holland, it is not unusual to have ready formed hedges. 

 They are trained hedge-ways in the nursery, and being 

 frequently removed from one spot to another, they may, with- 

 out almost any hazard of failure, be transferred to a consi- 

 derable distance, and replanted ( 8 l^ It were much to be 

 wished, that so advantageous a plan, which would save the 



