Two Nantucket Gardens 
DOOR YARDS 
NANTUCKET 
results from the use of this box plant in 
ribbons, strings and knobs. The absence of 
architectural objects like balustrades, foun¬ 
tains, sun-dials and statuary, is characteristic 
of the designs, and is perhaps difficult to 
explain when it is considered how fond were 
the early architects of colonnades, intricate 
cornices, porticos, elaborate newel-posts, 
alcoves, and delicately traced mantels. Per¬ 
haps there was wisdom in treating the garden 
in a manner so simple because it was thus 
removed from rivalry with the house, and 
could be the more completely devoted to a 
display of forms and surfaces seen at their 
best under conditions of exposure which were 
not favorable to the permanence of wooden 
ornaments. The names of a few of the more 
important plants which appear in the gardens 
are entered upon the plans. 
Much might be written of the dooryards 
of Nantucket, since this part of the typical 
estate seems usually to have enjoyed much 
more care than the little rectangle of open 
land behind the dwelling. The white palings 
of the front fence upon the one side, the lively 
glitter of window panes upon the other, and 
the constant interest of passing in the street 
earned for the few square yards of turf at either 
side of the front door steps the chief regard of 
the family. These door yards, rather than the 
gardens, are usually the most attractive part of 
the grounds about the homestead, and one to 
which the casual visitor is likely to attribute 
a great share of Nantucket’s charm. 
East Entrance Sanford Garden 
318 
