MY FARM OF EDGEWOOD 



stone fence of ordinary construction, I am 

 careful, by a choice of topping-stones, to give 

 unbroken continuity of its upper line; and 

 suppose that the abutments, instead of wearing 

 the usual form, are carried up a foot or more 

 above this line in a rude square column, grad- 

 ually tapering or "battering" toward the top; 

 suppose upon this top I place a flat stone nearly 

 covering it, and upon this a smaller stone some 

 four inches in thickness, and again, upon the 

 last, the largest and roundest boulder I can 

 find ? At once there is created a graceful archi- 

 tectural effect, which gives a new air to the 

 whole line of wall. Yet the additional labor 

 involved is hardly to be reckoned. . 



Gates, in all variety, dependent on position 

 and service, offer charming opportunity for 

 unpretentious and effective rural devices. Far 

 away in the garden it may be worth while to 

 throw a rude rooflet over one, where a man 

 may catch refuge from a shower; in another 

 quarter, you may carry up posts and link them 

 across in rustic trellis, to carry the arms of 

 some tossing vine; a stile, too, where neigh- 

 bors' children, forgetful of latches, are apt to 

 stroll in for nuts or berries, or on some cross- 

 path to school, may, by simple adjustment of 

 log steps and overhanging roof of thatch, or 



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