32 Fences, Walls and Hedges 



wall is obtained when a fairly true surface 

 is kept and the stones fitted to their places 

 even if it is necessary to break some pieces 

 or trim them with a stone hammer. If 

 the stones come in lengths greater than 

 their depths, or are fairly rectangular a 

 more pleasing appearance is the result. 

 This is true of any stone wall for the im- 

 pression is one of permanency, while 

 rounded stones, especially cobbles, give the 

 feeling that they may at any moment roll 

 from their places and in truth they would 

 in many cases, if it were not for mortar 

 holding them together. The spaces be- 

 tween the large stones are filled with 

 smaller ones, but it is best to keep those 

 more for the interior of the wall than for 

 the outer faces. It is not well to make a 

 dry wall less than two feet in thickness. 

 This at the top, for a small batter or in- 

 clination toward the center helps the stabil- 

 ity. This thickness is for a wall of 3 ft. 

 or less in height. For every 6 in. addi- 

 tional height the width should be increased 

 4 in. All stones of a strata character 

 should by all means be laid on their nat- 

 ural beds. They are not then so liable to 



