PART IV. AGRICULTURE. 24? 



In the formation of farms, two things chiefly require 

 consideration : 1st. Their subdivision by fences ; and, 2dly, 

 The erection of proper buildings. I interfere not with their 

 subdivisions in regard to crops, that being sufficiently known 

 and followed by every intelligent farmer. With regard to sub- 

 divisions in general, the remarks offered under enclosing 

 may suffice also for this branch of formation. I shall only ob- 

 serve farther, that frequently in arable farms, where the soil is 

 of great value, as in some parts of Mid and East Lothian, where 

 it lets from five to ten pounds an acre, the cheapest fences are 

 hurdles, either of pitched or tarred fir wood, oak, or young 

 larches. Hurdles also are of great use in family farms, espe- 

 cially in uniting them with the park or lawn, and also in parti- 

 tioning off part of the park in order to join it with the country. 

 This will be explained in a subsequent part of the volume. 

 The farm designed for Barn barrow is almost wholly subdivided 

 in this way, and will tend to unite it with the park in a beauti- 

 ful manner; and also to render the latter more valuable, by oc- 

 casionally bringing the whole, or at least the greater part of it, 

 under the plough for such a period as may be necessary to bring 

 the soil into excellent condition. The same thing has been exe- 

 cuted from my designs at Mount whan nie, which shews the excel- 

 lent effects that residences would have if laid out in this way. Mr. 

 Gillespie, the proprietor of this estate, saw at once the superiority 



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