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Whose Walls Were Battered:
The picturesque irregularity is best seen at Carcassonne, France. Outside of the cities, the nobility lived in moated castles, whose walls were battered (sloped out-tvard at the base) to deflect stones dropped from 'he machicolations (spaces between brackets or »rbels at the top of the wall, with battlements ibove them to protect the defenders). Windows »vere little more than loopholes. Towers de-:ended the gate, which might also have a draw-jridge and a portcullis, or grill, in it. The walls fflclosed a courtyard lined with the living rooms :or the household. Before the introduction of gunpowder, such French castles as Coucy-le-Dhateau or Pierrefonds rarely were captured.When choosing climbers for planting against houses or high walls, the direction that they will face must be considered since climbers on shaded walls will get little direct sunshine; those on some sunny walls may get too much; and those on walls with sun for part of the day may be exposed to cold winds. The problem hardly arises with fences, since plants quickly rise above them. The soil close to house walls can be dry, and until climbers become established they may need regular watering.
They are expensive to build but need essentially no upkeep. Walls are of especial value for supporting terraces and other places where soil must be retained. Such supporting walls may be built with cement or be dry walls made without cement. Informal groups of trees and shrubs are good as "walls" where space permits. •
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