Outbuildings, Gateways, Etc. 271 



Gates themselves should be braced so that the sagging is reduced to a 

 minimum. They should also have some sort of a rest to take off the strain when 

 open or shut. A piece of bound stone, 8 inches square and set flush with the centre 

 of the driveway, with a mortise to receive the bolt (fastened to the gate stile), of 

 a pattern which will lock and at the same time support the gates, will be found 

 effective in the case of the double gate when it is closed. The same thing can 

 be used to hold it open. Of course the small foot gate, being narrow, does not 

 usually require this. 



The gate is usually made fast with a special latch, and sometimes embellished 

 with a knob. In the latter case the knob should be oval rather than round, so 

 as to afford a good hold in its manipulation for the hand. 



Gates and fences should be so designed as to exclude all dogs and poultry, as 

 much damage can be done to flower beds and the like through their visitations, and 

 to this end should be close to the ground and the pickets set close together. 



Posts to carriageways should always be protected by stone or iron guards 

 placed against the bases on the inner or jamb side. This will prevent careless 

 and inexperienced drivers from enlarging the gateway and carrying off samples 

 of your gate posts on their wheel hubs. 



Ornamental ironwork is often used to support a lantern over the gateway. A 

 lantern is a valuable accessory on a dark night and may save a wreck of rig and 

 anatomy, as without it one may try to drive through the fence at some unlikely spot. 



Climbing plants are frequently used to beautify a gateway. If they are of a 

 flowering variety they should be well within the grounds or high out of reach. 

 The public, who will respect your purse, will take all that it can carry and come 

 back for more, neglecting, however, to mention it at the confessional. It is not the 

 loss of a flower or so, but the continuance of it, which destroys the looks and shape 

 of the bush. Ivy and woodbine are seldom molested, and can be used with 

 good results on rough stonework. Frequently a rose or wistaria arbour running 

 from the inside of a foot entrance can be made a thing of beauty and reasonably 

 safe at the same time. 



Remember one thing: that all good bits of decorative design should not be 

 too heavily laden with creepers. Such treatment is far worse folly than a 

 woman's silk petticoat you haven't even the rustle. 



An interesting circular barn and stable. James Hunt, architect 



