nk, on each side thereof, leaning a little outward
from the sets, which will protect them as well (if not better) than
a hedge of 3 foot, or four inches more, standing upon the surface
of the ground, which being rais'd with the turfs and sods about 20
inches, and the hedge about 20 inches more, will make 3 foot 4
inches; so as no cattle can approach the dead-hedge to prejudice
it, unless they set their feet in the ditch it self; which will be
at least a foot deep, and from the bottom of the fosse to the top
of the hedge, about 4 foot and 1/2, which they can hardly reach
over to crop the quick, as they might in the old way; and besides,
such an hedge will endure a year longer. I have at this present, an
hedge which has stood these 5 years; and tho' 9 or 10 foot be
sufficient for both ditches and bank, yet where the ground is but
indifferent, 'tis better husbandry to take 12 foot, which will
allow of a bank at least 6 foot broad, and gives more scope to
place the dead hedges farther from the sets; and the ditches being
shallow, will in two years time, graze; tho' I confine my self for
the most part to 9 or 10; because I would take off the only
objection of wasting ground by this way, should others follow it.
In reply to this, I affirm, that if you take 12 foot in breadth,
for ditch and bank, you wast more ground, than by the common way:
For in that a quick is rarely set, but there is 9 foot between the
dead hedges, which is entirely lost all the time of fencing: When
as with double ditches, there remains at least 18 inches on each
side where the turfs were set on edge, that bear more grass than
when it lay on the flat. ......... But admitting it did totally lay
wast 3 foot of ground, the damage were very inconsiderable, since
forty pearch, in lengh 220 yards, which makes pearches, 7, 25", 9',
or 7 pole 1/4, which at 13 _shil._ 4 _pence_ the acre, amounts not
to 7d. 1/2 _per ann._ Now that this is not only the best and
cheapest way of quick-setting, will appear by comparing the charge
of both: In the usual way, the charge of a 3 foot ditch is 4d.
per pole, the owner providing sets; if the workman finds them, he
will have for making the said ditch, and setting them, 8d. the
pole, and for hedging, two pence; that is, for both sides 4d. the
pole, which ren