Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Earth-banks

EARTH-BANKS, in husbandry, are a kind of fence, very common in the vicinity of London, and in several other parts of England: where stones cannot easily be procured, they are preferable to other fences, both for soundness and durability.

The best method of making earth-banks is, to dig up some turfs in a spot abounding with grass, about a spit deep, and four or five inches thick: these are to be laid even on one side by a line, with the grass outwards, and on the back of them is to be placed another row of turf, leaving the space of one foot of solid ground on the outside, to prevent the bank from slipping in, lest any part of it should be deficient. On the outside of this, a ditch is to be dug; otherwise both the sides must be made with a slope two feet in depth, which, however, will be no detriment, as they will both produce pasture.

The soil dug out of the ditches, or from the slopes, should be thrown in between the two rows of turf, till the whole is made level, in a similar manner, and the bank is raised to the height of four or more feet, at the same time increasing the width of the foundation, in proportion to the height. As the bank ascends, both sides must be made to slope internally, so that the top shall be about 2 1/2 feet in width.

There is one caution necessary to be observed in constructing this kind of fence; that is, never to raise it during very dry seasons, because, if violent rains should follow, the earth contained between the sods would swell, burst out, and destroy the beauty and solidity of the bank. The top may be planted with quick, which, if repeatedly clipped, will grow very thick, and afford excellent shelter for cattle.