AGRICULTURE. BOOK I, 



direction of the fences. 5. The kind of fence, and 6. Hedge- 

 row timber. 



1st. With respect to the propriety and advantage of inclo- 

 sing either commons or private property, I shall advance no- 

 thing; it being pretty generally known to be of the first con- 

 sequence as to augmenting their value. There are, however, 

 some cases, as the large sheep-farms in Peebleshire, and most 

 parts of the Highlands of Scotland, where no other inclosure is 

 necessary, than a ring fence or barrier round each farm. If any 

 inclosures are necessary within this fence, it is only such as are 

 for admitting the cultivation of a few acres for the use of the 

 farmery, or for making some plantations for shelter. 



2nd. The size or magnitude of inclosures depends on the 

 kind of husbandry to be followed, the nature of the soil, of the 

 surface, and of the climate. 1. In pasture farming, where the 

 object is breeding, the inclosures should generally be small; 

 where it is rearing, larger; and where it is fatting, largest. 2. 

 Each kind of soil should be as much as possible kept separate; 

 so as that every part of each field may be laboured and cropped 

 at the same time. 3. On a level surface the inclosures should 

 be largest, on a hilly one least; as the greater the number of 

 inclosures there are, the more the shelter is increased in severe 

 weather, moisture preserved in dry weather, and beauty pro- 



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