AMERICAN 

 HOMES AND GARDENS 



September, 1910 



Number 



Fences, Walls and Hedges 



By Helen Lukens Gaut 



[HE general impression is that fences, walls 

 and hedges are built with the intention of 

 keeping something in, or of keeping some- 

 thing out, but this is a mistaken idea, for 

 many of them are built or planted for 

 ornament, or for affording restful seclu- 

 sion from the street. 

 In design, material, quality and cost fences are of wide 

 variety, and those costing the most money are not always 

 the most attractive. Often simplicity, cleverly and ar- 

 tistically expressed in rustic timber, field stone, or wire 

 mesh, is far more effective in fence building, than fine work- 

 manship and elaborate materials. 



One seldom "finds a fence surrounding a city lot, for in 

 such location it is desirable to give an impression of space, 

 and this is possible only by letting one's lawn unite with 

 the lawn of one's neighbors. Sometimes the dividing line 

 is marked by a low hedge of geraniums or roses, which is, 

 of course, always effective. While not often found at the 

 front of the city lot, the fence is frequently a delightful fea- 

 ture of the back of the premises, where it may enclose the 

 kitchen garden, or perhaps screen a quiet rest spot, for back 

 yards can be used for storing peace and comfort and beauty, 

 as well as garbage cans, clothes lines and rubbish. Fences 

 for such a purpose are usually of wood lattice or mesh wire, 

 overgrown with flowering vines. They screen the garden, 



A brick wall makes a fine enclosure for a garden 



