The subject of fences, of which we promised to speak, will be difficult, if we attempt to please every one, judging by the numerous styles now displayed in front of residences in cities. Tongue cannot describe them nor printer's ink do them justice; so we will not try, but proceed to offer some suggestions which meet our views of good-sense, taste, and economy. In the first place, let every man on the same side of the block agree to have a similar fence, if possible, thereby producing some degree of harmony, instead of entire discord.

From the various views we hear expressed upon this subject almost every day, we find that many persons of good judgment are anxious to see all fences removed from the road, and the lawn extended to the sidewalk; and, indeed, it has desirable features. It looks well to the passerby, and makes it very convenient for him to step into the yard, peep into the open window at night, or examine every little opening bud or inviting flower by day; and at the same time there is little resistance offered to keep idle hands from appropriating such things as fancy leads them to covet.

Admitting, then, the need of some protection, what shall it be? The two objects for which fences are erected are protection and ornament. The first requires only strength and height, and is adapted to the use of back yards and parts that are unsightly, or about yards containing fine fruits or other things that are likely to suffer from viciously inclined men and stock, or from mischievous boys. Any neat, high, tight board or, sharp picket fence will answer the purpose, not less than five feet being a proper height. But better still would be a nice hedge of thorns; osage orange, where not too much exposed to cold, as it is scarcely hardy enough for Northern States, or buckthorn, which last Downing recommends above all other hedge-plants for this climate, are among the best. Or if ornament is sought also, with protection from winds, use Norway spruce, hemlock, or arbor vitae, planted closely, and carefully tended and clipped, letting them attain the height of five or more feet, thick and even throughout their whole length.

But about all the ornamental parts of your small yard, and including so much of your house as presents no unsightly defects or unpleasant features, and of course, including the whole main front of your lot must be made a fence in which the ornamental, or at least the unnoticeable, predominates, protection being made only partial and of secondary importance.

Fig. 37.

What shall it be, - iron, stone, or wood? Of the whole list, what can be prettier than a beautiful, low, well-kept hedge, made of some of the evergreens last named? Still these will not answer alone if cattle are allowed to run the roads, and they must be protected by some inconspicuous wooden or iron structure. Next in neatness, comes a low wall, with a coping of cut stone, the whole not exceeding ten inches in height above the surface of the ground, and then surmounted by a light, tasty wire or iron fence, with posts made of 1/2xl inch iron bars, edge to the front, firmly set into the stone cap with brimstone or other fastening material. Beautiful patterns are easily selected by sending for a catalogue, to any good firm that manufactures this class of articles. Let the design be simple, neat, and tasty, rather than grand and self-imposing, which detracts greatly from the appearance of the house, and interrupts the view of the lawn. Green or black should be the color of the wires. In the former case, use the best green paint, as near the color of green grass as possible; and dip the posts in coal-tar, which is the best black paint for iron, when used boiling hot.

Some prefer sanding their fences while the paint is still green, and often with good effect.

Of the cheaper fences, the common perpendicular, curved top, wire, picket fence, when well made and in good proportion, - as much of the pleasing effect and beautiful appearance depend upon these points, - is among the most substantial, and is not wanting in ornament. This is made with a frame of nice posts, with horizontal rails at top and bottom of 2x4 inch stuff, well-planed and notched together as for a wooden picket fence, but using, instead of the latter, rods of 7/16 iron, placed three inches apart, passing through the rails, and curved above the top rail in such a manner as to again enter the rail behind the second or third rod from it successively. Corner posts are cased, paneled, and capped nicely.

A cheaper fence still, and one that answers a good purpose without pretense, is the low, four-board fence now so common. No ornamental fence should be over three and one-half feet high, nor have the bottom board more than two or three inches above the surface of the lawn. A large vacant space beneath a fence presents an indefmiteness that is far from pretty and very unsatisfactory to behold.

Some writers lay great stress upon the use of rustic fences, and other ornaments. But to us they seem very much out of place in ordinary city lots, being only appropriate where the surroundings are wild, rugged, and uneven, partaking naturally of the "picturesque in nature."

The colors of the fences should be the same as that of the house, providing this is such as good taste suggests; viz., dove, fawn, and other neutral tints, with trimmings of a little darker shade, or even pure white in the deep shade of trees, unless they be made of iron or partly iron, which should be of green or black, as already recommended. Of course there are numerous other appropriate styles of fences which any mechanic of good taste could devise, but all should aim at simplicity of design and neatness of finish, being made to evade, rather than attract notice; which last should always be directed toward the central figure, - the house; or if this be rather ordinary, in appearance, then toward its beautiful adornments, the creepers with which it should be shrouded, and also toward the lawn with its embellishments.