Book II. LAYING OUT THE FARM LANDS. 687 



4184. For entrance lodges there are many elegant designs by Gandy, Roberton, Pap- 

 worth, and others ; some simple and modem, and others in imitation of the elder styles 

 of building. 



4185. A very simple entrance lodge of one story {Jig. 621.) may contain a kitchen (a), 

 parlour and bed-room opening into it (6), pantry (c), and closet (rf). Towards the road 

 there may either be a bow projection or porch. Detached, in the gai-den, and concealed 

 by trees and shrubs, may be the usual appendages to comfortable cottages. 



SuBSECT. 3. Laying out the Farm Lands. 



4186. In arranging Jarm lands, the principal considerations are the size and shape of 

 the fields, and the next the access to them and to the farmery by proper roads. 



4187. The form and size of fields have too often been determined without much 

 regard to the size of the farm, the exposure, and the equability of the soil. This is the 

 more to be regretted in the case of live fences, which ought to endure for a long course 

 of years, and which cannot be eradicated without considerable expense. In The Code 

 of Agricidture it is observed, that when a whole farm is divided into fields of various 

 sizes, it is difficult to form a plan so as to suit a regular rotation of crops, or to keep 

 very accurate accounts. Whereas, by having the fields in general of a large size, the 

 whole strength of a farm and the whole attention of the farmer are directed to one 

 point ; while an emulation is excited among the ploughmen, when they are thus placed 

 in circumstances which admit their work to be compared. Some small fields are 

 certainly convenient on any farm, for grazing and other purposes to be afterwards 

 explained. On elevated situations, also, the shelter derived from small enclosures is 

 of use. 



4188. A number of small enclosures, irregularly shaped, surrounded with trees or high hedges, in corn 

 farms, and more especially in corn lands situated in a flat country where shelter is unnecessary, is exceed- 

 ingly injurious to the farmer. Besides the original expense of making the enclosures, the injury done to 

 the crops of grain, produced by the want of a free circulation of air, and the harbour afforded to num- 

 bers of small birds; the very site of numerous hedges, with their attendant ditches, and the uncultivated 

 slips of land on both sides of them, consume a much larger proportion of arable land than is commonly 

 imagined. Hedges, especially if accompanied by rows of trees, greatly exhaust the ground of its fertility, 

 nourish weeds, the seeds of which may be widely disseminated, and, by the exclusion of air, the har. 

 vesting of the crop is carried on more slowly. Even upon meadow land, small enclosures encircled by 

 hedges are injurious, as they prevent the circulation of air for making or drying the hay. Small en- 

 closures, with high hedges and trees, are also extremely injurious to the roads in their neighbourhood. 



4189. IVith fields of a considerable size less ground is wasted, and fewer fences are to uphold. The 

 crops of grain, being more exposed to wind, can be harvested earlier, and they suffer less from damp 

 seasons. Small enclosures in pasture are more productive in winter, being better sheltered ; but in 

 summer the larger and more open the enclosures are the better ; for in hot weather both cattle and sheep 

 always resort to the most airy places. It is easier, also, when they are in pasture, to obtain a supply of 

 water in large fields than in small ones : indeed, fields are sometimes so small, that it is very difficult to 

 procure an adequate supply of water even in winter. But the conclusive argument in favour of large 

 arable fields is this, that where fields are small, much time and labour are wasted by short turnings ; and 

 it is now ascertained, " that if fields are of a regular shape, and the ridges of a proper length, five 

 ploughs may do as much work as six ploughs in fields of a small size and of an irregular shape ; while 

 every other branch of labour (such as dunging, sowing, harrowing, reaping, and carrying in the harvest,) 

 can be executed, though not altogether, yet nearly, in the same proportion." {Hush, of Scot. vol. i. 

 p. 41. and Sup. Encyc. Brit. art. Agr.) 



4190. The circumstances on ivhich the size of fields cvght to depend are, the extent of 

 the farm in which they are situated, the nature of the soil and subsoil, the rotations 

 adopted, the inclination of the ground, its being in pasturage or otherwise, and the 

 nature of the climate. (Code.) 



4191. Extent of the farm. The size of fields ought certainly, in some measure, to depend upon the 

 extent of the possession. In small farms near towns, from six to twelve acres may be sufficient ; but 

 where farms are of a considerable extent, fields from twenty to even fifty acres, and, in some particular 

 cases, as high as sixty, may be used to advantage. In general, however, even on large farms, when 

 permitted by local circumstances, fields of a medium size, as from fifteen to twenty-five English acres, 

 are recommended by competent judges 



4192. Soil and subsoil. In dividing a farm into fields, the nature of the soil and subsoil ought to be 

 kept in view. "Where the soil is various, it would be proper to separate the light from the heavy. They 

 are not only better calculated for different crops and diftferent rotations, but are naturally adapted to be 

 cultivated at different seasons. It is unfortunate, therefore, to have soils of a heterogeneous nature 

 mingled in the same field. But where this partially takes place, for instance, where there is only an 

 acre or two of light soil to ten or twenty of strong soil, let the following plan be adopted : At any 

 slack time, either in summer or winter, more especially when the field is under fallow, employ two 

 carts and horses with four fillers, to cover the acre or two of light soil, with the strong soil contiguous, 

 and the soil in the field will then become more uniform. In fields where light soils predominate, the 

 plan might be reversed. This plan, though at first expensive, is attended with such advantages that, 

 whenever it is necessary and practicable, it ought to be carried into effect. 



4193. The rotation adopted. It may be considered as a good general rule, to divide a farm according 

 to the course of crops pursued in it; that is to say, a farm with a rotation of six crops should have six 

 fields, or twelve, according to circumstances. It is proper to have a whole field, if the soil be uniform, 

 under one crop ; and every farmer of experience knows the comfort of having the produce of the farm 

 as equal every year as the soil and season will admit of 



4194. Inclination of the ground. It is, however, evident that the size of the fields must in some 

 respects depend on the flatness or the hilly shape of the ground. Even on dry land, if there be a rise on 

 the ground, from fifteen to twenty chains is sufficient length ; for if the ridge be longer, the horses 

 become much fatigued if compelled to plough a strong furrow up-hill beyond that length in one direc- 

 tion. This objection, however, to large fields, may in some measure be obviated, by giving the ridges 

 and furrows in such fields as are on the sides of a hill, such an obliquity as may diminish the difficulties 

 of the ascent. 



