#76 
New Field Gate . 
gates could be constructed with less timber, and upon 
better principles, the saving of timber only would be of 
national importance; for we have many millions of gates 
to uphold in Britain, and their numbers are annually in- 
creasing. The result of my labours has been the plan 
which accompanies this letter. Gates made according to 
it, possess great strength, are very light, and of easy and 
simple construction. Although uniformity of appearance 
be not essential in a common gate, yet is worth having 
when it can be obtained, as in this gate, without addi- 
tional expense. 
My gate is made with short, and consequently less va- 
luable, oak or ash timber, than those of the commonest 
construction ; its strength is much greater than any other 
gate made with a like quantity of timber, there being at 
four distant points between the head and the heel, two 
bars and a brace crossing each other : and I doubt not 
that it will be found proportionably more durable : it is, 
besides, very easy to construct, and requires less labour 
than most other common gates. Twenty-nine years ago 
I designed plans for ornamental gates, with semi-oval 
and semi-circular braces, and had them executed; the 
plans were sent to my friends in various distant parts of 
this kingdom, as also to Ireland; and I have the pleasure 
to observe, that they are become almost the only orna* 
mental gate in many parts of England. The plans of 
them I never published, although they were prepared 
for engraving fifteen years ago ; and I should be as indif- 
ferent about my present design, of a common field gate, 
if I did not conceive that its publication would materially 
benefit the public; the introduction of this form being, I 
conceive, of some national importance, as timber has been 
lately greatly enhanced in price, and is rapidly on the 
advance. 
