52 DWELLINGS, OUTBUILDINGS, 
tion a few of the forms generally used. First, and most common 
of all fences claiming to be ornamental, is the plain picket fence, 
made of strips set vertically the whole height of the fence, and from 
one and a half inches square to one inch by three. All picket 
fences shut out a view of the ground behind them until one is 
nearly opposite the pickets, as completely as a tight board fence of 
the same height. An old and ornamental form of picket fence is 
that composed of three horizontal rails, with two equal spaces be¬ 
tween ; one set of pickets being short, and terminated in points 
above the middle rail, while every other one rises through the top 
rail in the same way. This gives double the space between the 
pickets on the upper half of the fence, where a transparent fence 
is most indispensable. It is the best, and also one of the most 
expensive of the old forms of wooden fences, and the only kind of 
picket fencing that should be tolerated for enclosing ornamented 
grounds. 
Fences formed of horizontal rather than vertical pieces are 
preferable ; and the openings between the bars should be as wide 
as insurance against animals will permit. A substitute for the old- 
style of picket fences, now much used, is composed of boards 
sawed so that their openings form ornamental designs. These 
are adopted from German designs for cheap balconies and veranda 
guards, for which purposes they are well adapted and beautiful; 
but for front fences they are even more objectionable than pickets, 
because they bar more completely the view of what is behind. To 
unite strength, beauty, and “transparency,” is the object to be 
gained. What wooden fences will best do this, we must leave to 
the reader’s ingenuity and good sense to decide. Those who build 
most expensively do not necessarily secure the most tasteful places, 
and in fencing there is much opportunity to let thought balance 
money. Some very pretty rod-iron fences are now made, both 
vertical and horizontal, which are much cheaper than woven wire 
or cast-iron ; but both of the latter being always at hand or ready 
made for those who have the means to use them, will probably con¬ 
tinue to increase in use. The tasteful forms in which iron fences 
are generally made, together with their indestructible character, 
will continue to make them more and more desirable. Were it not 
