FENCES AND HEDGES 213 



make the wall high enough to permit of grow- 

 ing vines upon it when it receives full sun. A 

 height of six feet in most cases would be suflfi- 

 cient for the purpose. 



As regards the fence there are two consider- 

 ations — appearance and durability. The 

 former implies both design and surface, the 

 latter, material. 



Of the woods available, oak is unquestion- 

 ably the best for a fence, not only on account 

 of its long life under all conditions of weather, 

 but on the score of appearance. It should 

 not be painted or its charm of colour will be 

 destroyed. Who has not seen and admired 

 the pearly grays and opalescent tints of an 

 ancient park fence, and noted how admirably 

 it harmonized with the natural growth at its 

 foot? I know of nothing which better ac- 

 cords with flower and foliage than the weath- 

 ered surface of an old oak fence. If the pales 

 are cleft, so as to show the natural figure of 

 the wood, the efi"ect will be better and the life 

 of the fence longer. Under ordinary circum- 

 stances a height of five feet is suflicient, but 

 with open country around and no likelihood 

 of intruders less height may be desirable, 



