Ai/Icsbi/, Eibi/, and RotliwcU Farms. 
419 
hand to Grimsby, and on the other to Croxby. It is used prin- 
cipally as a " city of refuge," a sanatorium, or such like. While 
describing this farm, it may be worth mentioning that it is 
divided into seven fields, exclusive of the small pasture. One 
of these is nearly 100 acres in extent, and the other six are 
worked in pairs (of one small and one large field), each pair 
making up about the same acreage. The four-field shift at 
Kothwell is therefore a very simple matter to arrange. 
The only peculiarity of climate which it is necessary to men- 
tion is, that the north-east winds from the German Ocean in the 
spring very much retard spring-cultivation. 
Fences. 
Many of the fences are old quick-hedges, which have 
been mended and renovated by planting young quicksets to 
fill up gaps ; but, after many years' experience, Mr. Torr con- 
siders it cheaper in the end, and every way better, to plant an 
entirely new fence than to patch up an old one. A large por- 
tion of the fences at Aylesby and Riby have been thus replanted, 
considerable care having been taken to insure the production of * 
a close dwarf fence with a good bottom. The land is first 
trenched in the autumn 2^ feet wide and 2 feet deep, and the 
trench is filled with either maiden earth or turnip-soil mixed 
with foldyard manure and a small quantity of chalk. This 
compost is turned over in the winter ; and in February 3-year 
old quicksets are planted on the level, 3 to 4 in a yard ; — only 
the oldest hedges are bordered by ditches, and these in most 
cases are small watercourses. The planting is done as day-work 
by the ordinary labourers employed on the farm. The quicks 
are allowed to grow freely for 3 or 4 years before they are slashed 
or cut; after that interval, one side is trimmed, in the autumn, 
in a slanting direction upwards and inwards, from the base 
towards the centre ; when this side has recovered, grown into 
form, and become compact by the production of small branches 
and spurs, — a process which usually occupies from 3 to 4 years, 
— the other side is dealt with in the same manner. By these 
means a good compact growth is secured, and the hedge is never 
entirely denuded of its small branches. After the effects of the 
last operation have been overcome the fence is considered mature, 
and it is then trimmed annually as soon as the sap begins to fall 
— the trimmers generally commencing in September, The fence 
is trimmed to a pyramidal shape, about 4 feet at the base and 
4J feet high, at the rate of Zd. per chain for cutting both sides 
and cleaning the roots, which also is done every year with great 
care. A strong marling has been found very beneficial to old 
hedges, as it enables the soil to retain moisture. 
