152 MINUTES MAR. 



88. thight as a wall. In general, however, they 



FURZE- were getting much too old -, fome of them dy- 



iiLDGES. 



ing j and others thin at the bottom. 



I am neverthelefs fully convinced that a furze- 

 hedge, with proper treatment, is, upon a light 

 unproductive foil, a fufficient and eligible 

 fence. 



89. 



THATCH. MARCH 7, This morning, went to fee ibe 



method of cutting reed. 



The time of cutting reed does not commence 

 until Chriftmas ; and continues till the young 

 flioots begin to appear : the fap is now begin- 

 ning to rife ; the ftems, below the water, being 

 already green. 



The cutters have a boat to carry them from 

 the banks to the " reed-rond"; which, in this 

 cafe, lies at a fmall diftance from the fhore. 



Some they cut {landing in the boat ; fome 

 ftanding on a plank, laid partially, or wholly, 

 upon the mud and roots of reed, matted in- 

 timately together. 



The workmen cut it upwards, gathering the 

 reed in the left hand and arm under-handed, 

 with ficklcs (reaping-hooks are too flippery for 

 the reed) as much below tine water, confc- 



quently 



