CHAPTER XVI 

 Fences and Hedges 



I have already pointed out how insistently 

 the boundaries of a small garden declare them- 

 selves. Whichever way we turn the vista is 

 closed by a wall or fence, and whatever expe- 

 dients weadoptto render these artificialfrontiers 

 inconspicuous — whether by growing greenery 

 over them or trees and shrubs against them — 

 we cannot entirely keep them out of sight. I 

 have shown, however, that by adopting a 

 rectilinear treatment they can be made to har- 

 monize with the garden lines. But that will not 

 help us much if the fence itself is an eyesore. 



The suburban gardener very often has to 

 take things as he finds them, but he who builds 

 his house has the matter in his own hands, 

 and for his guidance, therefore, I may offer 

 some suggestions on the subject of fencing. I 

 must make a passing reference to walls. All 

 walls are much alike, but it is worth while to 



