74 GARDEN ORNAMENTS 



esqueness that would be otherwise lacking. A 

 much too common mistake is the introduction of 

 Southern architecture into N^orthern gateways ; the 

 lines and details do not always conform with the 

 type of the house. 



Most of these gates are hung by iron or brass 

 hinges, but the earliest ones use the strap hinge, 

 which carries out the Colonial idea. The difficulty 

 with the strap hinge is that it is not always strong 

 enough to hold the gates without sagging, and the 

 wider the entrance the heavier the strain. While 

 the design varies, yet rarely do we find one con- 

 structed in the seventeenth century that is not sim- 

 ple and with picket effects. The pickets have 

 pointed tops, and are sometimes irregularly spaced, 

 while the brace often shows an artistic curve. 



Occasionally, we find the posts yoked, through a 

 connecting arch. This is often latticed and if 

 rightly designed adds to the ornamental effect. 

 An old lantern is sometimes an attractive feature. 

 The arch should be painted to match the color of 

 the posts, a very good combination for this use is 

 pure white lead, or zinc, combined with linseed oil. 

 If you do not care to mix it yourself it can be 

 bought ready for use. For the best effects, a thin 



