Beautifying the Farmstead. 



23 



but if the farmstead is informal, the entrance should be simple. 

 The less formality there is in the farmstead the less there should be 

 at the entrance. On the other hand, some special treatment is neces- 

 sary to attract attention to it and set it apart from the rest of the 

 boundary and to invite entrance, at least to the extent of inciting the 

 wish to enter in those passing. 



The character of this special treatment must so nearly correspond 

 with the rest of the treatment of the farmstead that it can be united 

 with it without an abrupt change of style at any point. The transi- 

 tion from a heavy stone or brick post to a barbed- wire fence is 

 difficult unless the size of the farmstead is such that there is sufficient 



FIG. 24. A well-designed entrance. The appearance of the stone wall has been 

 improved by recessing the cement joints. 



distance to make the transition gradually. If the post is flanked by 

 a wall of the same material that ultimately becomes the same height 

 as the fence and the fence and wall are covered with vines for a con- 

 siderable distance on each side of the joining, a successful transition 

 can be accomplished. Such a stone wall, however, is inappropriate 

 unless built of native stone in evidence in fences or buildings in the 

 neighborhood or else is like the stone or brick clearly evident in the 

 foundation or other portion of the buildings. 



The design of the wall also has an important bearing on its appro- 

 priateness. The wall of native stone in figure 24 is appropriate and 

 attractive. Figure 25 also shows a good entrance for its location, 



