BOUNDARY FENCE. 



185 



Bound ast Fence. — The outline and position of this 

 fence depend on those of the park itself, and seldom 

 call for much attention except where it thrusts itself 

 obtrusively on the eye, a circumstance to be guarded 

 against or ameliorated when possible. The fence itself 

 is often a wall built of stone, or, if that material is 

 scarce, of bricks ; and it may be from six and a half 

 feet to nine feet in height. On flat surfaces, fences of 

 this altitude shut out much of the surrounding coun- 

 try ; and in such cases, when it is desirable to extend 

 the view to the adjacent portion of the estate, instead 

 of the wall may be substituted a sunk fence, with the 

 fosse or trench on the outside. Where timber is abun- 

 dant, wooden fences are occasionally employed ; but 

 unless of moderate extent, their want of durability 

 renders them less desirable than those formed of more 

 permanent materials. A close, tall pale of split oak, 

 however, is very serviceable, and will last for upward 

 of thirty years. Hedges seldom prove efficient boun- 

 daries ; when, however, combined with walls, and well 

 trained and kept, they may suffice for parks in thinly 

 populated districts. The walls may be two or three 

 feet high, with a low bank' of earth behind, on which 

 to plant the hedge. 



Internal Fences. — The proper arrangement of the 

 divisional fences in the interior of the park is a matter 

 of considerable difficulty, and one in which there are 

 perhaps more failures than in almost any other. The 

 common error is the application of. the principles of 

 ordinary farm fencing to the ornamental grounds. . In 

 purely agricultural districts the divisions are arranged 

 so as to facilitate drainage, and to suit the conveniences 

 of tillage. The normal type of the agricultural field 



