The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-23
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
About Unsiahtly Fences.
he Editor of The Age-Herald:

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 Reading an extract from your columns urging the residents of the city to do away with the unsightly fences in front of their premises, prompts the writer to say a few words in reference thereto, which he trusts you can find space to in- sert.
 Any fence, even though it be a very ornate and costly one. detracts very much from the appearance of a garden, pro- vided, of course, that the grounds are kept in proper order. and this every householder should make a point of do- ing, even if he, individually, cares very little for the beautiful. The man of means, or in receipt of good salary, is just as much under obligation to keep his front yard in order as he is to dress we'll when he is out on the street or in any public place. An individual may have idence but if he cares nothing for beauty he is not truly refined, for the simple reason that where real refinement exists it will manifest itself in some outward or visible way. Then, too why one should wish to shut off the view from a beau- tiful and well kept garden by inclosing 1t with an nnsightly fence,J or a high hedge. Is something that Is hard to com prehend. The hedge, If well trimmed, Is not. of course. unsghtly, but it Is far better not to have 1t and to leave the garden open so that all who pass by may enjoy its beauty As you suggest in your editorial it is comparatively easy, by dispensing with fences, to produce a park-like effect, and this is desirable from every point of view. The only argu- ment that can be advanced in favor of fences Is that they are some protection against flower thieves, who sometimes take advantage of open yards to carry on their tnefarious business. Severe punish ment is the best remedy against this form of stealing, and then, too, no one should purchase flowers from rresponsi- ble persons, as a little reflection will con- vince anyone that they have been stolen. You, MT. Editor, can do great service to the city by keeping up the fight against these unsightly fences, for it Is very certain that the citizens generally will ul- timately take your view of the case and dispense with a thing that detracts so much from the beauty of their own grounds and from the general effect.
 One of the commonest mistakes in IT, ranging a garden. and one which will, In a few years, very seriously mar its beau- ty, Is in putting out too many plants, generally three or four where there Is only space for one. Unless in the case of small annual plants that are to be massed far irfapdad f0r a a " hadPa plant should have room to expand, and when this is the case 1t Is much more at traotive, and if a blooming plant will have much finer flowers. To plant large trees, the magnolia, for illustration, and evergreens that grow to a great size like the deodora cedar, on a small city lot is very unwise. for in few years they will be so much in the way that their re- moval becomes a matter of absolute me- cessity. There are, however, quite va riety of small trees and shrubs that can be used without the fear of their growing too large. By a proper selection of flowers it is possible in the south to have something in bloom in the garden almost continuously, and this should be the aim of every true lover of flowers.
 Even if all other considerations are put aside the culture of the beautiful Is important from financial standpoint, for well-kept grounds always add very materially to the value of the property and lots facing open squares or parks always bring larger prices than ones less favorably situated. In laying of su- burban property into lots and streets from to 10 per cent of 1t should be devoted to park purposes. and so far from en- taillngN any loss it would turn out to be a wise thing But convincing property owners of ti.is is, as the writer knows from experience, an extremely difficult matter
 In future issue the writer will take up the subject of trees, that is with special reference to the ones best suited for street planting. for after all there is nothing in the way of plant growth that can equal in beauty well shaped tree It is very probable that every city and town in the south has spent enough on trees to have all their streets lined with fine specimens, but unfortunately most of the work has been ignorantly done, the wrong varieties planted and the result of course, disappointing.
 w. D. WOOD.
 Sumter, s. C., July 20.