188 OLD-FASHIONED GARDENIN G 
they migh't be seen through; and the high, open iron 
fence of to-day is Dutch in origin. These were called 
long ago 11 clair voyees” because they offered no ob¬ 
struction to the vision; but the cost of them was of 
course considerable, and the trouble of getting them 
here rather more than the work of preparing the wood 
which was on the spot. So wood naturally was used; 
but not in solid construction, like Col. Fitzhugh’s 
puncheon palisade. Light and open it had to be, to 
suit the social instincts of the Dutch. 
A description of one of the great bouweries men¬ 
tions “a little simple avenue of Morelia cherry trees, 
inclosed with a white rail” that led from the house 
to the road; and deal fences surrounded the garden, 
orchard and a hayfield that lay near to the house. 
These deals or boards were bound to upright stakes, 
and these stakes were topped with the skull of a horse 
or a cow, “in as great numbers as could be procured!” 
The account declares further, in all seriousness, that 
these were not mere ornament!—but were placed by 
the slaves in hospitable accommodation for the “small 
familiar birds” which they delighted to have about. 
The wren especially was happy in being able to build 
her nest in such perfect security as the dome of the 
skull afforded, for absolutely no enemy could reach 
her there. 
A minute description of one of Boston’s garden 
