18 OF INCLOSURES

and other viciffitudes of weather. And, when it arrived at the top, it would there fend out a number of ftrong woody branches, forming a fort of hedge, that would afford fome fhelter to the fields, and break the force of the wind confider- ably; but as I never yet had an oppor- tunity of trying the experiment, I only here offer it as a probable conjecture™.— I have feen a garden-wall, that had been built of ftone and clay, ornamented and {trengthened in this way. I have had the

would preferve other objects from the effets of froft, that did moft powerfully exclude the cold; yet it is found by experience, that a very thin covering of ftraw, or other fmall and light vegetable twigs, carelefsly {trewed upon any thing, prevents the effects of froft in a much more powerful manner, than almoft. any kind of folid covering, of much greater depth, even where ‘tis fo clofe all around as to exclude all accefs to the air. [leave this phenomenon tb be accounted for by natu- ralifts; and would only here remark, that, from repeat- ed obfervations, I am pretty certain of the fact: from which I conclude, that the leaves of the ivy would powerfully preferve the wall from the effects of froft.

* J have feen, that, in poor foils, ivy will grow in this manner very well; but where-the foil is rich, the

grafs is apt to choak it.

experience

by thi aftet have

had