Ditches, Lanes, Copses, and Hedgerows 6i 



Oak and other not ugly Fencing. 



Where there are beautiful views, people who enjoy the 

 landscape will do well not to mar them with iron fencing. 

 In some cases good views are kept by a sunk fence, 

 and to prevent this from looking hard or deceptive in 

 any way I throw a garland of wild Roses along the top 

 of the wall, which marks the position of the fence, and 

 always looks well. The groups of wild Roses I set out 

 in a colony along the sunk fence made at Grave- 

 tye are charming at all seasons. In many other cases, 

 along important drives perhaps commanding interest- 

 ing views, a finer thing by far than any iron fencing 

 is the strong split Oak post-and-rail fence. There are 

 many estates where Oak is abundant, and where the 

 men split it up into stout heartwood posts and rails. 

 This is not necessarily a dear fence, and it is a very 

 beautiful and efficient one if well done. In colour 

 it is perfect, improving as it gets older. Such a visible 

 tangible fence will last for many years, and might 

 come in the foreground of a picture by Corot or 

 Turner. A few Sweet Briers or wild Roses stuck 

 in the post-holes often turn out very pretty. For 

 dividing lines in stockyards, too, nothing is so good and 

 safe as a split Oak fence. Where good effects are 

 thought of, nothing is more important than good post- 

 and-rail fences in certain places on the farm, where 

 we want to keep animals back without hiding the 

 view, and where shelter is not required. Oak park 



