CUT-AND-LAID. 



375 



tively new fence in Scraptoft big field has now. When the 

 fence grew up, it no longer needed the rails, which rotted away 

 in time, and it developed into the bullfinch (bull-fence)." 



Whyte-Melville also tells us, " boundary fences of property 

 were few and far between, straggling also, and ill-made-up ; 

 the high thorn hedges that now call forth so much bold and 

 so much timid riding, either did not exist, or were of such 

 tender growth as required protection by a low rail on each side, 

 and a sportsman, with flying coat-tails, doubling these obstacles 



Fig. 235. Double posts ar.d rails : rails about 3 ft. 6 in. high ; and about 

 10 ft. apart. 



neatly, at his own pace, forms a favourite object for the artist 

 of the time." The remarkable change in the stiffness of the 

 fences was undoubtedly due to the general adoption of the 

 cut-and-laid fence, which, from its deceptive character and 

 unchanceable nature, is a great stumbling block to Irish 

 hunters for the first few times ; for it is an unknown quantity 

 in the Emerald Isle. 



