i88 OLD-FASHIONED GARDENING 



they might be seen through; and the high, open iron 

 fence of to-day is Dutch in origin. These were called 

 long ago "clair voyees" because they offered no ob- 

 struction to the vision; but the cost of them was of 

 course considerable, and the trouble of getting them 

 here rather more than the work of preparing the wood 

 which was on the spot. So wood naturally was used; 

 but not in solid construction, like Col. Fitzhugh's 

 puncheon palisade. Light and open it had to be, to 

 suit the social instincts of the Dutch. 



A description of one of the great bouweries men- 

 tions "a little simple avenue of Morella cherry trees, 

 inclosed with a white rail" that led from the house 

 to the road; and deal fences surrounded the garden, 

 orchard and a hayfield that lay near to the house. 

 These deals or boards were bound to upright stakes, 

 and these stakes were topped with the skull of a horse 

 or a cow, "in as great numbers as could be procured !" 

 The account declares further, in all seriousness, that 

 these were not mere ornament! but were placed by 

 the slaves in hospitable accommodation for the "small 

 familiar birds" which they delighted to have about. 

 The wren especially was happy in being able to build 

 her nest in such perfect security as the dome of the 

 skull afforded, for absolutely no enemy could reach 

 her there. 



A minute description of one of Boston's garden 



