Evening star., 1945-02-18

Most fences, II they are to be
Wooden fences are not
so costly, but they must be kept
painted or they lose all Of their
and neatness. Stone and
brick fences or walls must have a
deep and substantial foundation or
frost will soon topple them. Wire
fences are less costly than either
wood or stone, but they, too, must
be properly built If they are to re-
main strong and substantial. II not
Of the best materials they will rust
In q few years and need replacing.
Hedges Of various kinds may be
employed for both protection and
ornamentation, but they need more
or less constant care and trimming
to keep them neat and attractive.
An untrimmed or overgrown hedge
can hardly be considered to enhance
the appearance of the grounds.
However, hedges are available in
many types and forms and can be
had in keeping with almost every
situation.
Shrub borders, while even more
desirable than q hedge, are usually
too space consuming for the small
yard. Most shrub borders, contain
ing both the taller background kinds
as we'll as the lower facing" shrubs,
need from 6 to 10 feet of width.
This Is a rather large slice from the
width OF a so or go foot lot. How
ever, by careful selection and judi
cious pruning, 1t is possible to have
a narrow shrub border with desir-
able screening effect-f1owers and
greenery are so desirable.
Another type of fence, one seldom
encounters in local gardens, is
constructed from 2 by 2 inch cypress
stakes and smooth wire, and is COW
cred with climbing roses. The stakes
may be larger. This fence may be
built to any desired height. It takes
very little space and Is source OF
beauty and pleasure throughout the
season, yet 1t will turn children and
pets away. However, the roses
should be kept prlned and tied or
the long shoots will become trouble
some. Covered with such disease
resistant roses as Chevy Chase,
Jacotte, Mrs. Whitman Cross, Pros
perity, Paul's Scarlet and Mermaid,
it can provide beauty as well, as
protection at low cost.
Barberry hedges are widely used
for protection, but there are other
plants that are fully as attractive
which will serve the same purpose
The snowy f1rethorn may be pruned
to a hedge. The bright orange col
ored berries as well as the long
lasting foliage combine to make a
firethorn hedge highly ornamental.
Holly hedges are similarly attrac-
tive and can be kept trimmed to a
comparatively low level, although
as they attain age their height must
be gradually increased. Both may
be kept to q width of approximately
4 feet.
Animals and perennials may be
used for an ornamental border, but
they do not deter children or pets.
However, a low fence of wire or
pickets may be employed on one side
or the other to protect them. A
combination Of the upright barberry
at the back Of such border with
flowers in the foreground gives both
protection and beauty to the sunny
border.
Substantial care in the construc-
ton of . wooden or wire fence adds
many years to its life. Both should
be carefully braced. The posts need
to be large enough to Withstand
rough usage. Posts need protection
from termites and decay. This may
be given by treating them with creo-
sote or setting them in concrete. A
4-by-4 or larger post treated and
set in concrete should last for Is
to 40 years regardless of the ma
terial. A good locust or cedar post,
If untreated, may not last 10 years.
Stone and brick walls need a sub
CT pfiol foundation ora that ~