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the requisite degree of shelter, by the judicious employmentof ditches, hedges, or walls, or by a combination of all these,according to the nature of the soil, and other circumstances.
In regard to wet soils, though very generally neglected,and very unpropitious both to crops and live-stock, the meansof inclosing them, by fence ditches so disposed as to receivethe contents of all the drains, are natural and obvious; andsuch, after judicious drainage, often become peculiarly fertile.
SECT. VIII.
or THE EXPENCE OF INCLOSURE.
In the calculation of the expence of inclosure, it is not onlynecessary to consider the first cost, but the future charges ofrepairs require also to be held distinctly in view. It is re-markable how much cheaper and better an intelligent personcan get such things executed, who is accustomed to employand oversee work people, and with persons who are used toerect fences, than can be done by others less qualified for super-intending, and with inexpert labourers. Much also dependson situation and materials, on the judicious plan and dimen-sions of the fences, on the proper selection of the kind offence adapted to the particular ends in view, on the completeexecution of the work at first, on the protection and attentiongiven to it in the sequel, and even on the season of the yearwhen it is executed.
Contractors, for the most part, pay little or no regard toany thing beyond the conditions of their agreement, it beingnone of their concern whether the fence answers a good pur-pose or not. They expect a low estimate to be preferred;but the future cost and disappointment, to those for whom