66 MANAGEAIENT OF ESTATES. 



The ORIGIN of thefe extraordinary fen- 

 ces may not be difficult to affign . By clear- 

 ing the forefts, in the manner which has 

 been fuggefled, the natural fuel of the 

 country was, of courfe, materially abridged; 

 and, where the general face of the country 

 was tolerably level, the fides of the vallies 

 were too few, and infufficiently extenfive, 

 to fupply this necefiary of life. And it 

 appears to me moft probable, that thefe 

 COPPICE FENCES were adopted to fupply 

 this defed: of fuel ; and they have proved, 

 perhaps, the beft expedient that could have- 

 been flruck out. Many farms have no 

 other woodland y nor fupply of fuel, than 

 what their fences furnifii ; yet are amply 

 fupplied with this j belide, perhaps, an 

 overplus of poles, cord wood, faggots, and 

 the bark of oak, for fale. Hedgewood is 

 looked up to as a crop ; and is profitable as 

 fuch ; befide the benefit received from the 

 mounds and itubs, as fences. 



The AGE of mofl of thefe fences is o:reat 

 beyond memory. Neverthelefs, they are 

 continued to be formed, to the prefent 



day. 



