190 



PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



Note. — Necessity, not choice, must rule the char- 

 acter of fences to a considerable extent in America. 

 In ornamental grounds, when stone can be had, the 

 ha-ha, or sunken wall, with a sloping ditch bank facing 

 it, is the most appropriate, and may be made efficient 

 for usual purposes. By this mode, the unsightly ap- 

 pearance of ordinary fences is superseded. The lawn 

 and park of the late Gardiner Gr. Howland, near New 

 Hamburgh, on the Hudson, designed and planted, and 

 for some years occupied, by James Lenox, Esq., of 

 New York, as well as those of Mr. Sheafe, on the 

 elevated lands adjoining, exhibit fine specimens of the 

 unbroken effect which such places may produce in the 

 absence of fences, none being visible within the boun- 

 daries. "Where so great a variety of fencing material 

 is resorted to, as with us, local convenience, and ex- 

 pense, must measurably govern the kind to be used. 

 The perishable nature of wood, and its inreasing scar- 

 city, will soon compel us to resort to other materials 

 in districts where stone is not to be procured. Wire 

 has been successfully introduced in some sections of 

 the country, and hedges are — talked of. Although 

 these latter are advocated by some, a permanently effi- 

 cient hedge, inclosing an entire park, pleasure-ground, 

 or agricultural estate, has not yet come to our notice. 

 Hedges may, in time, be introduced, and perhaps to 

 good purpose ; but we are somewhat doubtful of their 

 adoption to any considerable extent, save, perhaps, in 

 the use of Osage Orange, on the western prairies. 

 The subject of fences, therefore, for the present object, 

 must be left to the convenience and circumstances of 

 the land and its proprietor. — Ed. 



