490 Of Plantations. 



which are much softer and milder in their influence. By 

 the shelter which they afford, the soil is ameliorated, and 

 the produce is improved, even in districts naturally bleak 

 and unfertile. A very frequent error in the construction 

 of these belts is, that of making them too narrow. They 

 should never be of less breadth than from fifty to sixty yards, 

 except when the land is valuable, or the property circum- 

 scribed. When narrow, their effect in moderating the wind, 

 may be greatly aided, by tall hedges. 3. In some districts 

 small clumps are planted, which, if judiciously executed, are 

 ornamental, and afford much shelter to a country bare of 

 wood. 4. To plant the corners of inclosed fields, has of 

 late been much recommended. The inducements to this 

 plan are great. Two-thirds of the space are already in- 

 closed, the angle cannot be conveniently brought under the 

 plough, the soil is rich and in good order, and the beauty 

 of the country is promoted ; yet, if the corners are made 

 very small, the inclosure of such spots, and the keeping of 

 them in repair, is attended with considerable expense. 5. 

 Planting the gardens of farmers and cottagers is practised 

 on some estates, and has a good effect in point of appear- 

 ance ; but it is detrimental to the productions of the garden, 

 and ought never to be attempted where fruit-trees will grow. 

 6. Hedge-rows are highly ornamental ; they give shelter, and 

 in process of time, become timber ; but unless properly ma- 

 naged, by judicious and high pruning ( S9<5 ), they ruin the 

 hedge, injure the adjacent grounds by their roots and shade, 

 and when planted on the sides of roads, do great injury, by 

 keeping them wet. (See Chapter III.) 7. Shade-trees, when 

 judiciously planted in fields, are useful in hot weather, as a 

 shade for cattle. The bird-cherry is the tree that bears 

 transplantation at a much larger size than most others, and 

 its wood is valuable. The beech, the sycamore, and lime, 

 are likewise well calculated for that purpose. 8. Pollards 

 do not seem to contribute much to ornament, and no other 

 advantage is derived from them, except in districts, where 

 fuel is extremely scarce ( 597 ). Nor is cutting off the bran- 

 ches of trees in hedge-rows, making what is called a besom - 

 head, to be recommended. It lessens the agitation pro- 

 duced by winds, and deprives the tree of what may be 

 deemed its salutary exercise, while the loss of the branches, 

 prevents it from receiving the nourishment it would other- 

 wise derive, through the medium of the leaves they would 

 produce ( 598 ). 



4. The expense of making a plantation, must vary accord- 



