HOW TO GROW GOOD FENCES. 219 



desolate appearance, but they are commended by some 

 as not harbouring birds or vermin ; but this is a 

 questionable good, for as regards birds, we contend 

 that the stone wall districts would be better off if 

 they afforded shelter for a few more ; but stoats, mice, 

 snails, beetles, and small fry of the kind of no use 

 whatever, are absolutely protected by the stone wall. 



It is said again, that the stone wall offers little 

 chance for weeds, but to those who have been ac- 

 customed to observe about a yard on either side of a 

 wall constantly left unploughed and un cleaned, stone 

 walls will be considered as nurseries and protectors 

 of weeds, and those, too, of a highly mischievous 

 character, as couch thistles, docks, &c. 



With regard to the couch grass (Triticum repens), 

 we have traced it running from this source for a 

 couple of yards into the ploughed field, with the in- 

 evitable consequence that in the furrows it is cut into 

 convenient lengths to multiply the pest ; and it has 

 been on this account that we have ever been careful 

 to direct dragging and harrowing to be done in the 

 direction of the walls, before proceeding with these 

 operations over the rest of the field, and we recom- 

 mend the cutting down of weeds under these walls 

 before a crop of corn be carried. 



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