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AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



September, 1910 



A hedge of arbor-vitae forms an excellent screen for a roadway 



A combination of bowlders and brick make an effective wall 



not only from the street, but from the next door neigh- 

 bors, and with their wealth of clambering vines and blos- 

 soms, give pleasure to all who look upon them. 



Though these city fences, or screens, may be of no archi- 

 tectural scheme, the gateways leading through them are 

 often wonderfully attractive and quaint. The hooded gate 

 is always interesting and picturesque, and the heavier the 

 supporting timbers, the better the effect. The roof of this 

 hood may be of shingles, shakes, red tiles, or malthoid, 

 but should, to be harmonious, correspond in material with 

 that of the house of which it is an accessory. A plain, 

 straight timber frame for a gate, consisting of a rough six 

 by eight redwood post on either side, topped with an over- 

 lapping cross beam of like dimensions, is inexpensive and 

 decidedly pleasing. A framework of medium-sized logs 

 fashioned in the same way, makes an admirable entrance 

 to go with a rustic fence. For covering these fences, it is 

 well to choose vines that are hardy growers, as well as 

 those that are green the year round. Honeysuckle is always 

 desirable, for it is ever green, and requires little care. In 

 spring, when in the glory of its blooming, its fragrance is 

 far-reaching. English ivy is always satisfying, while there 

 are many varieties of roses that are a continual delight. 

 Wistaria, clematis, bougainvillea, asparagus fern, wood- 

 bine, etc., are all beautiful when at their best, but some of 

 them sleep half the time, and it is then that we grow a bit 

 tired of them, and long for the energetic plants, those that 

 never tire of budding and leafing, and grasping for higher 

 places. Covering these fences or screens with vines, is 

 hardly a satisfactory finish. To complete the scheme ar- 

 tistically, there should be a low banking of thick-foliaged 

 plants, such as geraniums for instance, to cover the lower 

 part of the fence, and the lower legs of the vines. In se- 



An excellent wall can be built of concrete 



Cobble stones make a good wall on which vines may climb 



