The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-20

style OF Du1ldlng In M1nneapO-
lis has already set good many
owners of new houses to think
ing about giving their house the
proper setting. In order to do this
fence can hardly be dispensed with,
and fences are receiving thoughtful con-
sideration from the majority Of house
builders. An article by Walter II. Kill
hamin in the April House and Garden,
will be of special interest to the possess,
houses, it's title being "Colonial Gate
ways and Fences in New England. -
Mr.. Kilham says:
Once more the fence has come to the
front as an important accessory to the
house, and it's return to favor will be
hailed with delight by all who have the
elevation of the public taste at heart.
In the good old times more or less do
| nestle privacy was considered desira-
creetly inclosed in ratings or pickets,
! but the back garden, which in old New
England towns often became the very
sanctum sanctorum Of the feminine de-
partment of each household, was sur
rounded by walls hardly less formidable
than those of Spanish nunnery:
Twenty wears ago, .moEe or less, by
colonial fences Of New England came
wellnigh being exterminated. The open
treatment for grounds surrounding de-
tached houses came in with whirlwind
of popular favor. 1t was alleged that
a city having open spaces of lawn be-
tween houses, unbroken even by hedges,
expressed a sense of equality and fra
ternity and a desire for all to share
the pleasure one might feel in his own
wellkept grounds, or, establishment
which was supposed to be latent in the
American mind. Only churl would
conceal his gillifowers and asters be-
hind impenetrable walls. Village i'm.
provement societies preached the cru
SADIE against the fence. And so came in
the cannas and begonias, and round ge
ranium beds scattered here and there
over the open lawns, and one by one
the dainty old fences were condemned
as unsightly and went their way to the
woodpile.
Now that the reaction has set In
and once more our grounds are being
protected against stray dogs and chill
dren, and the old ANIMALS and peren
malls are with us again, a rapid glance
thru two or three old eastern seaports
will serve to remind us, not only of the
Importance of a fence in giving.
sense of privacy. but of its decorative
ting or frame for the architecture OF
the house itself.
In some Of the most beautiful exam
Piles of colonial architecture in old New
England towns, the charm, and in fact
the principal motive, lies in the fences
so absolutely, simple with those grace
full columns and slender rails which
give at once an air of distinction tx
the plainest CT structures.
"The ideal garden in New England
is enclosed in high fence, bricl
wall or hedge, where the family cal
enjoy the freedom of outdoor life, O.
walk among the flowers. The fact il
to be regretted that Americans do no
live more in their parks and gardens
Breakfast on vine-covered porch, tie;
on a terrace, woman sewing in thu
garden are sights all too scarce in ou
American civilization, and not onl,
would they add to the picturesquenes
of life but to its health and comfort a
well.' -
Mr.. Kilham then takes up a study o.
a number of interesting examples o
fences from Salem, where scarcely
house lacks one, of Providence, o.
Portsmouth and, other places. Thes
!, fences include the picket variety, wit
it's finely ornamented posts, which /
its distinctive feature, cobweb, irol
and chain fences. Mr.. Kilham says il
conclusion, "The fence and garden cal
1 scarcely be considered apart, whethe
: the fence be of the most decorative
type or simply a plain wall of board
high enough to shut out the gaze o
the passersby and keep the garden sa
r cred to those who dwell therein. Their
! is beautiful illustration of this in tn