326

ON INCLOSING LAND

SECT. V.

OF WOODEN FENCES.

1 he materials for these are not hitherto very abundant inScotland ; but as plantations of trees extend, the weedings ofthese will furnish them where required. The moist climateof this northern country is injurious to wooden fences ; but asthis circumstance is favourable to the growth of live-hedges,and as stones are usually to be had in abundance for stone-walls, this circumstance is the less to be regretted. Yet, toprotect young hedges and plantations of trees,-wooden fencesare often necessary. These consist either of coarse railing,or of what are usually called stake and rice.

* The coarse pailing or rail fence, most commonly used forthe protection of young hedges, consists of rude posts andrails, which are strengthened by an oblique rest or back-stay,at every second or third post, fixed to a short stake behindthe rail. If the posts and stakes are of larch, and the rails offir, this temporary fence may be constructed at a moderateexpcnce, and may last until the young hedge acquire consi-derable strength ; but posts and stakes of fir soon rot at thesurface of the ground, between the wet and dry. Oak forthis purpose, certainly the best material, is seldom to be hadin Scotland .

The stake and rice fence consists of rude stakes of any con-venient kind of timber, driven into the ground nearly perpen-dicular, and interlaced by small branches of brushwood of anykind. This is closer than railing, and answers better forturning small animals. When placed on the flat ground,these temporary fences require to be from four and a half tofive ami a half feet high, according to the kinds of live-stockthey are meant to confine. If erected on the top of a clap-