336 THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



much confined with too large an extent of plantations on it, and too 

 much crowded with hedgerow-timber ; and, as we often see in many 

 parts of England, the fields may be too small, and shut in with high uncul- 

 tivated hedges. All these things both too large a breadth of wood, too 

 many hedgerow-trees, and high uncut hedges tend to prevent a free 

 circulation of air throughout the property, keeping it damp, and tend- 

 ing to make the district unhealthy for both man and animals. Again, 

 drainage is a great means of improving the climate of an estate, and this 

 should be pointed out in reporting on a property which may require 

 drainage. 



On the other hand, if the estate under consideration be a high-lying 

 and exposed one, it should be considered what steps should be taken to 

 lessen the severity of the storms and blasts which are likely to prevail, 

 and what means should be taken for producing a more genial climate 

 over the property. In such cases a judicious outline of plantations, 

 formed on well-chosen sites, will tend very much to improve not only 

 the general character and appearance of the property, but also the local 

 climate; and they should be formed in such positions and situations as 

 will give the greatest possible shelter from the prevailing winds and 

 storms of the district. 



When the farms come under consideration, each farm should be treated 

 of by itself, and notice taken of the rotation of cropping, the present con- 

 dition of the soil, and general cultivation, with suggestions for improving 

 each, and the best means of bringing each farm into the highest possible 

 state of fertility. 



The farm-buildings should be carefully looked over, and suggestions 

 made in regard to the improvement of those on each farm, with an esti- 

 mate of cost of extending or otherwise improving each place. 



In inspecting and reporting on the woods and plantations on the pro- 

 perty, the present condition of the crops in each plantation should be 

 stated, in so far as the crop may stand thick on the ground or the con- 

 trary ; the condition of the soil as regards drainage ; the capability of 

 the crop to improve ; and recommendations for the improvement of each 

 crop separately. 



The whole estate should be gone over, and notice taken of its general 

 capabilities, and any recommendations made which may be the means 

 of increasing its productiveness in every possible way, so as to increase 

 its annual value, and at the same time improve the condition of all in 

 connection with it. 



Statements should also be made in the report as to the best means 

 of improving and increasing the productiveness of the estate, and 

 what amount of money it will take to improve it as recommended. In 



