OXERS. 377 



thrusters were often described as charging dense bullfinches 

 which, after yielding them a passage, closed again so tightly 

 that the brave men disappeared completely from view, 

 Fig. 225 shows a practicable bullfinch which is quite stiff 

 enough for ordinary people. 



When a thick hedge is merely lowered, parallel to the 

 ground, it is generally called a topped hedge (Fig. 226). 



Fig. 236. Double posts and rails. 



By being lowered and trimmed, hedges present an endless 

 variety of form (Figs. 227, 228 and 229). 



The term "oxer" is applied to a hedge (usually young or cut 

 down), which is protected from the assaults of cattle by a 

 guard rail on one (Fig. 230) or both sides. A "single oxer" has 

 generally a ditch on one side, and on the other side a rail, 

 which is sometimes replaced by a wire, that is supposed to 

 be taken down at the end of October. A "double oxer" 

 (Fig. 231) requires a horse to jump big and spread himself 



