6 THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



so that they spread out and occupy a large proportion of useful land, 

 which could be made to grow crops. Where such is the case, they are 

 not only a preserve for hares and rabbits, but they are a hotbed for 

 rearing weeds, which grow up and spread their seeds all over the adjoin- 

 ing land. We have, within the last few years, removed a great extent of 

 old hedges on this estate, and we soon found that it did not take a great 

 length of such fences to cover an acre of good land. The remaining 

 hedges we have had neatly trimmed and put into form. (See "Hedges.") 

 And, besides, we very generally see old stone dykes or walls in as bad a 

 condition, broken down, and comparatively worthless as fences. These, 

 as well as the hedge-banks, are in many places found the resorts of 

 rabbits and rats, which destroy the crops in the adjoining fields, and of 

 course render them of little value. 



With regard to farm-buildings, I shall merely remark that the greater 

 part of them are insufficient in extent of accommodation needful for 

 all purposes, and but ill adapted to secure the health of the animals 

 kept on the land. 



It is clear, therefore, that if the proprietor of land which is unimproved 

 or deteriorated by bad management choose to let it lie in the condition 

 in which it came into his possession, without expending money in im- 

 provements, he must be content with small profits ; but if he, on the 

 other hand, apply money, skilfully and prudently, in improvements, he 

 will certainly render the property much more remunerative, while it 

 will be a sure investment for his capital, and one he can more certainly 

 depend on leaving unimpaired in value to his heirs than he could do 

 in the case of a manufactory, the produce of which is generally of a 

 fluctuating character, and liable to become less valuable any day. 



