employing them, far preferable to that we have just mentioned.—See Plume.
FELT, a kind of stuff, which derives its consistence merely from being fulled or wrought with lees and size, without being either spun or woven. The mechanism of felting is equally simple and curious; though its theory is little understood, even by professional hatters.—As the surface of hair and wool is by no means smooth, but formed either of plates resembling the scales of fish, or of zones placed over each other, as we find in the structure of horns, it follows that hair or wool, when promiscuously entangled, cannot be easily disengaged, on account of its rough sides, which may be readily perceived, by drawing a hair between the fingers against the root-end. Thus, each inequality of surface accommodates itself to that of another hair, and forms at length a natural texture.
Felt is made either of wool alone, or of a mixture of that article with camel's or other hair, and is used principally in the manufacturing of Hats, to which we refer.
FEN, a place overflowed with water, or abounding with bogs.—See Bog and Draining.
The most extensive fens in this island, are those of Lincolnshire, which afford considerable advantages to the inhabitants, who take large quantities of fish, and wild fowl; the latter are even sent to the London markets.
Fens generally abound with saline plants, which are very nourishing to cattle, and exceedingly fattening to sheep and horses. Oats will also thrive well in several fen districts; and, in prosperous seasons, yield abundant crops.
Coleseed is likewise cultivated to a very considerable extent on the fens, which indeed might be made more fertile, if the practice of paring and burning them, to the depth of an inch and a half, were more generally adopted.
Several acts of parliament have been passed for draining the fens, chiefly in the counties of Kent, Cambridge, and Lincoln; and by 2 Geo. II. c. 34 and 39, commissioners are appointed, for the effectually draining and preserving of fens in the isle of Ely; who are empowered to construct drains, dams, and other works; they are likewise authorized to make an assessment on the land-holders, whose lands, in default of payment, are liable to be sold.
Fen, the name of a very pernicious disorder, to which hops are subject. It consists of a kind of moss, or mould, which grows rapidly, and does considerable injury to the hop-grounds, unless it be eradicated immediately on its first appearance.
FENCE, in rural economy, is a hedge, wall, ditch, bank, or other inclosure, made round gardens, woods, fields, &c.
The fences employed for parks, and sometimes for gardens, are generally of paling; which, if made of winter-fallen oak, will continue sound for many years. For this purpose, the pales should be cleft thin, and the rails cut triangular, in order to prevent the wet from being deposited on them. In parks where fallow-deer are kept, it will be sufficient if they be 612 feet high; but where there are red deer, it will be requisite to make them at least one foot higher.
Various kinds of plants have been recommended for constructing the
