CHAP. i. EARTH BANKS. 798 



nearly as possible, north and south, for the ploughing will then be 

 usually performed in that direction, and the sun's rays will have freer 

 access to both sides of the furrows, not only before sowing but also 

 during the growth of crops, both of which are circumstances of con- 

 siderable importance. Another convenience in arranging the fields to 

 run as much as possible north and south is that the cattle have greater 

 shelter from the east and west winds, which in Britain are the most 

 frequent. 



CHAPTER II. 

 ON FENCES. 



IT1HE nature and construction of fences vary considerably in different 

 _|_ districts, according to circumstances of situation and convenience, 

 and, in many instances, according to some absurd custom of the 

 country. They are constructed on the principle of affording protec- 

 tion from too much cold, and at the same time of preserving a proper 

 circulation of air. On these two factors depend the health of live 

 stock and the well-doing of crops. Fences may be classed under the 

 heads of banks, ditches, walls, hedges, wire fencing, iron fencing, and 

 gates. 



I. EARTH BANKS are chiefly employed in those localities where 

 other materials for constructing fences are difficult to procure. 

 They will be found in most of our hilly or upland districts ; and 

 they are not only durable but useful and cheap, especially if the turf 

 can be obtained from an}^ surface immediately adjoining. The 

 following is the ordinary method of forming earth banks : 



The line of the fence being fixed upon, the turf should be pared off, 

 about 4 or 5 inches in thickness, from the farther edge of the 

 future ditch on one side to that on the other, regard being had as 

 far as possible to what was stated at the close of the last chapter 

 respecting the direction in which the hedge should run. The level 

 of the ground should likewise be considered, in order that the ditches 

 may act as useful and efficient drains. The turf being piled on the 

 sides, the earth which is dug out from the ditches should be piled on 

 the centre space between them, in a somewhat sloping direction, and 

 well and firmly beaten down. The ditches if about 2 feet deep, will 

 furnish sufficient earth to make the bank 4 feet high. " Great care 

 must be taken," sa} r s an eminent foreign agriculturist, " in cutting 

 the turfs with which the >:ank is to be covered, especially where they 

 are thick. They must be cut in a direction oblique to their surface, so 



