IV 



ENCLOSURES 



THE question of fences is not altogether one of 

 landscape art, for protection of this kind be- 

 comes a necessity in most countries ; however, it 

 has its advantages from the artistic standpoint ; outside 

 of and beyond all the practical advantages of an en- 

 closure its landscape effect has value. It individualizes 

 a place, it sets a boundary, it marks the confines of 

 a home or a possession, if it does nothing more. It 

 indicates that the frame of the picture is here, and the 

 enclosure warns one and all that here they must stop, 

 and go no farther except as the proprietor may allow 

 them the freedom of his domain for picnics, cross-cut 

 paths, and various other privileges. Landscape art 

 should seek to plant out and shut out in great part the 

 boundary walls or fences and allow only occasional 

 glimpses to prove that they exist and are performing 

 their proper function. 



There is a tendency at the present time to favour 

 the open lawn scheme where a dozen houses or more 

 show no boundary line between them except the sur- 

 veyor's monuments. These places are generally com- 



91 



