...I would rather describe it as an earth bank faced with stone - in other words a retaining wall built sufficiently high to be stock-proof, thus eliminating the necessity of a wire boundary fence. ...But why "Ha-Ha"? most people ask. I rather have my doubts about the story that is told, to the effect that when a certain country gentleman showed his friend how he kept his stock away from the house and garden by means of a wall. His friend gave forth a mighty "Ha! Ha!" ...Because cattle have a tendency to rub their necks along the top of the walls, some way of discouraging them has to be devised so that the top layer of stone is not dislodged. A wire leaning away from the wall so that it is not seen from house or garden is sometimes fixed to Red Gum stakes. ...That these walls will check a grass fire is obviously worth a consideration that makes them well worth the cost...