Farming of Oxfordshire. 
251 
is very inartificial. A staple is fixed into the post thus, and a 
large mortice (having a spike run through the top) is 
cut in the head of the gate to receive it. When the 
gate is properly shut tlie spike in the mortice hitches 
itself over the notch in the staple. At the best the 
gate has to be lifted before it can be opened, besides 
which a large mortice weakens the head of the gate ; but should 
a gate made of such materials escape warping, it is sure in 
time to sink ; it then becomes quite a business to shut it, 
and to open it on horseback is next to impossible. The 
wooden latches, commonly in use north of Oxford, or a chain 
with a hasp, form a much better fastening than this, but an 
iron spring is better still. Most of the gates by the grass 
grounds are made too low. Cattle lean their heavy shoulders 
against them and smash the top rail. If the gates were a foot 
higher they would be careful not to hurt their throats by pushing. 
The head, heel, and top rail of a gate should be of oak, the 
other rails and ledges may be Memel deal. When well painted 
such a gate will last out four of the common sort. It is surprising 
that in a country where wood is so plentiful, where stone walls 
are so well built, and hedges often so nicely trimmed, niore 
neatness should not be displayed in the construction and sightly 
appearance of field-gates. 
The only large wastes noticed by Arthur Young were Otmoor 
and Wychwood. Otmoor was inclosed, and the award signed in 
1829. It contained about 2500 acres, and no less than seven 
parishes had common rights on the moor. It appears that the 
Act was obtained in a clandestine and surreptitious manner, and 
was so unpopular, that after the land had been allotted, a large 
body of commoners, the lord of the manor concurring, pulled 
down the rails repeatedly and levelled the fences. Resistance 
was carried to such an extent that it was deemed necessary to 
call in the aid of the military. The rioters were indicted at the 
Assizes, and acquitted on the ground that the Commissioners 
had exceeded the powers accorded to them by the Act. Like 
most undertakings destitute of an honest foundation, this inrlosure 
did not prosper ; and although the land is divided, it still pre- 
sents the appearance of a common, and carries very little stock. 
During the winter months a great portion of the moor is under 
water. A new cut was made for the river Ray, but it is nearly 
choked up. Whenever the Cherwell overflows, it pounds back 
the waters of the Ray, and Otmoor is immediately flooded. 
Nothing but a well-arranged system of steam drainage could 
provide against this liability. Otmoor rests on the Oxford clay, 
and though in its present state it is very unproductive, it might, 
if it could be kept dry, make some useful dairy land. 
