58 ENCLOSING, FENCES, GATES. 
“ The average size of the enclosures, is from fourteen 
to twenty acres, but varying considerably according to 
the size of the farms ; the greatest part of the old en¬ 
closures is under this estimate. 
“ The new fences are chiefly made with hawthorn, 
secured by post and rails; on the Bredon and Cotswold 
ills they are of stone. The expense of making them 
is difficult to judge of with accuracy; but from the 
supply of materials, which are in most parts plentiful, 
it may be deemed moderate. 
<£ If a doubt is admitted, whether enclosures increase 
or decrease population, it must depend in this, as in 
other counties, on the nature of the land enclosed. 
Where waste land is enclosed, it must obviously in¬ 
crease population; there can only be a doubt, when 
the question arises respecting common fields. The 
enclosures in this county have been chiefly of the latter 
sort, and yet the population is admitted to have in¬ 
creased. Considerable enclosures have been made of 
late, some by authority of parliament, others by mutual 
consent of the parties interested in them ; more would 
certainly take place were it not for the expense which 
attends procuring acts of parliament for that purpose.” 
Respecting the improvement, by enclosing barren 
waste land but one opinion can prevail. Mr. Darke 
observes, in this case, “ The advantages are innu¬ 
merable, to population as well as cultivation; and 
instead of a horde of pilferers, you obtain an useful race 
as well of mechanics as other labourers.” 
The following particulars respecting the enclosures 
lately made in the parishes of Bromsgrove and Bell- 
broughton, were given me by Mr. C. with whom I 
viewed the premises the beginning of August, 1807. 
By one of these enclosures, in HQl, 3 JO acres were 
added 
