164 



A TOLL GATE-HOUSE. 



in October. He will then have an opportu- 

 nity of studying the forest trees at a time 

 when every colour is shown to advantage, 

 and when every variety of tint, light and 

 shade can be studied ; and in planting, by 

 striving to copy nature as near as possible, 

 will hardly fail of success. I would not by 

 any means recommend the planting of too 

 large a proportion of forest trees ; for ever- 

 greens ought to occupy by far the greatest 

 share, the most desirable of which are the 

 White Pine, Spruce, Hemlock, Balsam Fir, 

 and White Cedar, which is quite important, 

 as it makes most admirable screens, and, 

 when planted singly, forms a most beautiful 

 pyramidal tree ; it will also bear pruning bet- 

 ter than any other evergreen. 



In regard to the formation of the carriage 

 road, due care should be taken to have it ap- 

 proach the dwelling in gentle and easy curves ; 

 for on this depends much, as by carrying it 

 up to the dwelling in a straight line, it would 

 have the effect to mar the whole ; whereas, 

 by carrying out the curved lines, a perfect 

 harmony will exist throughout. 



These hints are only intended for those 

 persons who are unable to obtain the services 

 of a professional gardener, but still may wish 

 to embellish their grounds. Let them com- 

 mence at once and fear nothing ; and may 

 success attend all their efforts. 



Wm. Webster. 



Rochester, Sept. 13th, 1950. " 



SKETCH AND PLAN OP A TOLL GATE-HOUSE. 



(SEE FRONTISPIECE.) 



Has anybody seen a toll gate which was not 

 ugly ? We fear the number of affirmatives 

 will be very few. And yet the building is 

 one that might be rendered picturesque in 

 many ways — whether built of wood, stone, or 

 brick. In some instances, where the turn- 

 pike is profitable, a substantial cottage of 

 considerable size might be erected, — the gate 

 itself being under cover, and the whole com- 

 position made architectural. In others, a 

 smaller building, of one story high, might be 

 made expressive by simpler means. 



The frontispiece exhibits a sketch or study 

 (but without any of the appropriate accesso- 

 ries of trees, etc.,) for a simple, but architec- 



tural cottage for a toll gate. The large open 

 porch, in which the gate keeper stands to 

 receive his dues, is in character with the pur- 

 pose of the building. Though the whole is 

 but one story high, the plan shows a living- 

 room 12 by 15 feet, a bed-room 11 by 12 

 feet, and a kitchen 10 by 12 feet ; the latter 

 with a small room, intended for a store-room 

 or pantry, partitioned off from it. 



Such a cottage as this, in a district where 

 cither stone or wood is cheap, may be built 

 for about $400 ; and would, we think, be far 

 more agreeable to the eye, as well as more 

 convenient, than the majority of our toll 

 gate-houses. 



