55 1

ſtrength. The ſame 1s the caſe.in wet ſoils, eſpegially ſuch as are incumbent on an impervious till. It is found by repeated experiments, that the thorn ddes noi[ſucceed where the roots reach cold Kagnate water. In ſuch a caſe, it almoſt univer- ſally happens, that the plant is not only dwarfiſh, but cover- ed over with moſs, or various ſpecies of lichens. Even in good foils, and favourable fituations, thorn fences are ſometimes ex> tremely ineffeetual for anſwering the purpoſes for which they were planted; but this is owing to the ignorance, the Noth, or the prejudices of the perſons into whoſe hands the care of rearing them is committed. Many examples of this, were it neceſlary, might be mentioned, from every county in the kingdom. Hedges, however, where they occupy a göod ſoil, and are properly managed, are generally eſteemed the beſt kind of fences.

A ſtone dike muſt indeed be acknowledged to be the more immediate fence, as it is complete at once; but a thriving hedge is both a fence and ſhelter. In ſome parts of the county, owing to the climate, and chiefly to want of proper attention, a hedge is very ſlow in growing 3 but when reared, ſerves equally for ſhelter and ornament 3; and this county being much expoſed, and having little advantage from trees, Kands much in need of ſhelter. Several proprietors, how ever, by planting trees on their lands, are providing a re- medy for this evil. In the parilh of Portmoak, and in other Parts, the Galloway dike is much uſed. It is a coarſe, but cheap one; and the ruügged coping of ſtones is an obje& of terror to cattle. Lands ſo encloſed for paſture, let, from year to year, at higher rents, than they would do for tillage, upon 2 leaſe of 19 years. The demands for ſuch encloſure3 con» ünue to increaſe, in proportion to which there is a diminu« tion of the number of farmers in this diftrit.

Drazns,--In 4he immediate neighbourhood of the hills D

and