Farming of Lancashire. 



43 



however, it is right to state that the irrigation was laid down 

 scientifically, and at a very considerable outlay, by the late Mr. 

 George Jacson. 



Fences. — In the hilly districts a dry stone wall, without mortar, 

 is the common fence, built about 6 feet high, to prevent the 

 encroachments of the wild mountain sheep ; yet such is their 

 activity and rambling habits, that this is scarcely sufficient to stop 

 them. In the low country the fences are professedly made of 

 quick thorns, but almost invariably they are so badly managed, 

 and so miserable, that they require thorough renovation. Mr. 

 Lamb has within the last few years taken some pains to introduce 

 good fences on the lower part of the Duke of Hamilton's estates, 

 and these answer exceedingly well, a sufficient proof that it is not 

 the fault of the soil or climate that they are generally so wretched. 

 About three miles of new thorn fences have been made during each 

 of the last two years. The method and form are after the Scotch 

 plan, and as follows : — 



Ft. In. 



Width of ditch at top . 5 0 

 Ditto at bottom 0 9 

 Depth of ditto ... 2 6 

 Scaresment width ..08 

 Soil for thorn bed ..04 

 Height, from scaresment 



to top of back . .16. 

 Inclination of slope one 



inch in one. 

 Width of top of backing 1 6 



9. 



With posts and railing of two bars on the top of the backing, and 

 post, with three bars on the field side of the ditch, the cost of 

 the frame is as follows : — 



Three heights of rails and posts, and putting up, per s. d. 



rood of 7 yards . . . . . 2 6| 



Two ditto ditto . . .. 1 6| 



Thorns and beaches, say 54 per rood . . 0 7 



Planting and making ditch according to subsoil, 



varying from 1 s. to Is. 4d., say average . . 12 



Total per rood of 7 yards . . 5 10£ 

 The yearly cost of cleaning thorns is from a half-penny to three 

 farthings per rood for the first five years. Cutting with a Scotch 

 knife attached to a handle three feet long, costs from a farthing 

 to three farthings per rood, if done by a man accustomed to the 

 work; and this plan has produced good fences at five years' 

 growth. When the posts and rails are removed, by laying a 

 drain in the bottom of the ditch, the plough may go close to the 

 fence. The greater part of the old hedges are very irregular, and 

 occupy a space of four or five yards, with a ditch on both sides of 



