RUSTIC FENCES. 



717 



Where such an object exists, the character 

 of the sublime and picturesque in the 

 surrounding scene must be maintained." 



Cascades of a tamer description are 

 found useful in another respect — they 

 make, of all other fences, the best for ex- 

 cluding trespassers, and preventing cattle 

 from following the course of a stream or 

 river. We have one of this kind in Dal- 

 keith Park, which is built across the 

 North Esk, and is six feet in height, built 

 in a very substantial manner. The bed of 

 the river is filled up behind it, so as to 

 keep the water of a uniform depth, as 

 well as to lessen the pressure on it. The 

 w T ater falls regularly over it in one sheet, 

 and prevents any passage upward. There 

 might be objections raised against the 

 w T ater wall, as some may think that it 

 prevents fish from ascending. With us, 

 however, there are no fish, the refuse of so 

 many manufactories farther up having 

 driven them to seek shelter in other 

 streams. Even were it otherwise, it is 

 a well-known fact that such an impedi- 

 ment would be no real barrier, as salmon, 

 at least, are known to leap over much 

 greater heights. 



§ 6. — RUSTIC FENCES. 



The fewer fences admitted into pictur- 

 esque scenery, the better. Everything 

 having the appearance of confinement, or 

 defined limits, takes off from that free- 

 dom and expanse which form a leading 

 feature in this style of gardening. 



It becomes necessary, however, under 

 certain circumstances, to introduce them 

 as means of protection ; and when such 

 is the case they may be used with pro- 

 priety, for what is useful cannot be in 

 bad taste. 



The varieties of fences are numerous, 

 and range from the rudest barriers, with- 

 out nails or ironwork, to the highest 

 grade of architectural pallisading. 



The fences admissible into the pic- 

 turesque style should be of the sim- 

 plest construction, and, excepting the 

 ha-ha and chevaux-de-frise, chiefly of a 

 rustic character. They are formed of 

 young larch trees, generally on account 

 of their being straight, and, being the 

 thinnings of plantations, they are unfit 

 for purposes requiring more strength. 



Figs. 1001 to 1008 are of this descrip- 

 tion. They are in general fixed struc- 

 tures, although they may be easily con- 

 structed in separate pieces, and fitted up 



after the manner of portable hurdles. 

 The side-posts or uprights should be of 

 sufficient size, to give, not only in appear- 

 ance, but in reality, the necessary strength. 



