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ON INCLOSING LAND

in it, and fixes by a catch near the bottom, keeping them altfirmly in.

The folding gate, consisting of two parts, is best adapt-ed to wide spaces, where one gate occupying the whole wouldbe too large and heavy.

The swing gate, which turns on hinges at one side, andfastens by a latch at the other, or may occasionally be shutwith a padlock and chain, is most common in fences.

For all places of considerable resort, this gate should behung so as to open easily to the traveller, even on horseback,and then to shut of itself. It is also a matter of great impor-tance to prevent it from sinking in the head, which very of-ten happens, rendering the gate for a time useless. In addi-tion to these objects, it should be well considered, on whatconstruction the gate may be made most firm and durable.

The common swing gates in general are constructed soignorantly, or with so little care, as to be liable to objectionsin all the above particulars. Of course, a great deal of ex-pence and much inconvenience are incurred. The bene-fit of inclosu. es and fences, however, depend so much onthe perfection of the gates, that a particular degree of atten-tion to them ought to be more generally given.

In the Farmer’s Magazine, vol. vi, p. 180, a paper on thebest construction of gates will be found, accompanied with aplate, by Thomas N. Parker, of Platton Grange. This pa-per and plate merit attention. An interesting paper on theconstruction of Mr Parker’s gate was introduced into thesame useful magazine, vol. x, page 492, the work of the lateProfessor llobison of Edinburgh . Mr Easton, factor atSpringkell, in the county of Dumfries, having directed hisattention to the same important subject, has examined bothMr Parker’s and Professor Robison’s papers, and has com-municated the result, as follows :

“ As all the above gates differ from mine in the construc-tion and mode of hanging, you will be able to judge, from the