70 RURAL ORNAMENTS. 



palings of the most rustic character, which, although less durable, 

 being more picturesque, are preferable. Iron hurdles may sometimes 

 be necessary to form part of the park boundaries, that the eye may 

 embrace the distant views. It may be here noticed, that an invisiblt 

 fence, between the pleasure-ground and the park, will occasionally 

 add much interest to the general appearance of the scenery ; the 

 ha-ha, or sunk fence, may be used in some parts, while other parts 

 may be excluded by close plantations : light iron invisible fences are 

 well adapted to the separation of grounds. The great improvements 

 in the manufacture of iron-work have brought this elegant descrip- 

 tion of fence much into use ; and of this material are formed elegant 

 and useful ornamental basket-work for surrounding beds of flowers, 

 or guards for trees; also trellis-work of various decorative descrip- 

 tions for stages on which flowering plants may be placed, either to 

 fill an accidental chasm, or to give additional splendour to particular 

 parts of the pleasure-grounds. 



Farm-houses, if suitably constructed and ornamented, may cer- 

 tainly be included within the decorations of an estate : they are ne- 

 cessary appendages, and may justly be considered as forming an 

 interesting part of the rural scenery. Where a farm is upon a small 

 scale, and is retained in the hands of the owner for private cultiva- 

 tion, the farm-house and buildings may join the park, and still be 

 rendered agreeable objects of interest to the scenery. Where the 

 neighbouring lands are held by tenants, it is not objectionable for 



