28 THE LITTLE GARDEN 



years — of proper planting and good seasons, becomes an invis- 

 ible fence, yet a true barrier, and in time a beautiful one. As 

 shrubs grow, as creepers climb, and all form a mask of green 

 for the wire fence, good wooden gates may be suitably placed 

 at the entrance openings — gates painted green, to melt into 

 their surroimdings; or simple gates of wrought iron, hung be- 

 tween posts of brick or stone, are also attractive, breaking lines 

 of foliage-masses such as the wire fence will have become. 



What shrubs shall be used to cover this enclosing wire? Num- 

 bers of good ones come to mind here. Japanese quince is, to my 

 way of thinking, one of the best, if four or five feet of space may 

 be allowed for its spread on either side of a fence; it must be 

 sprayed as apples are, however, and that is an objection. But its 

 beautiful flowering in spring, and the particularly interesting 

 habit of growth which belongs to this genus, make it a remark- 

 ably fine shrub for such a place. Besides, it may be pruned to 

 four feet or allowed to grow to ten. The fence, bye-the-bye, 

 should be four feet high, of graduated spaces, so that dogs and 

 chickens may not break through the lower openings. Other 

 excellent materials for covering a wire fence so as to form an in- 

 formal hedge are Regel's privet, allowed to grow free; the low- 

 growing philadelphuses, or mock oranges, such as P. Avalanche, 

 and the bush honeysuckles, whose greens are so agreeable, whose 

 fohage is so fine and thick, but whose breadth and height will 

 need constant keeping in check. 



No word has yet been said as to the use of climbing vines on 

 the wire fence, yet how beautifully, in spots where wire predomi- 

 nates and foliage does not, may be used, for instance. Clematis 

 'paniadata, or Virginia creeper, the best known of the ampelop- 

 sis family — a root or two set in, and by autumn a space five by 

 five feet has become a thick and leafy screen, while a young hedge 

 is getting its growth. I should advise the use of such vines as 



