112 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY 



The old buildings were compofed chiefly of 

 clay, or laths and plaifler; but all modern build- 

 ings are built with bricks, which are of a very 

 good quality; but the lime is not fo good from 

 chalk and marl, as it is in countries where it is 

 made from the flone. 



The covering is of three kinds, Dutch tile gene- 

 rally for the houfes, and the common pan-tiles for 

 ilables and barns, or lea or inarm reed, which is 

 excellent in quality, and neatly put on. The ge- 

 neral cod for reed and workmanihip, and every 

 thing complete, is a guinea a fquare. No cover- 

 ing is fo good as this, as it will preferve a roof 

 twice as long as tile. 



Where ftraw is ufed for thatch, I earneftly re- 

 commend the excellent practice of the weft of 

 England, where the ftraw is combed quite clean 

 of weeds, the ears of the corn cut off, and reed 

 (as it is there called) laid on in whole pipes, un- 

 bruifed by the flail. — The confequence is, that it 

 is twice as durable, and, in its appearance, much 

 neater. 



Where new buildings are erected, it is eflential 

 to choofe the moft fheltered ipot which can be 

 pitched upon, confident with the fituation of the 

 land, becaufe it is prudent to guard again ft tem- 



pefts, 



