236 ORKAMEKTAL GARDENING. 



CHAPTEE XXIII. 

 GARDEN STRUCTUEES. 



Whatever the size or nature of a garden, there is al- 

 most always need of some kind of architectural struc- 

 tures besides the main buildings, for adding to its 

 comfort, security, and interest. Among these are fences, 

 walls, railings, copings, seats, arbors, shelters, conserva- 

 tories, lodges, tool houses, bird and animal houses, vases, 

 trellises, fountains, statuary, terrace walls, sun dials, 

 swings, bridges, boat houses, and sometimes aqueducts, 

 viaducts, and in public parks, offices, museums, refecto- 

 ries, amusement halls, etc. 



The guiding principles to the introduction of these 

 should be, first their ajoparent need ; second their adap- 

 tiveness to the purpose and place in view ; third, appear- 

 ance of stability and tasteful design, and lastly, due re- 

 gard to a right balance of the features of the garden, and 

 especially bet u^een made and natural ones, to see that the 

 former, which may be introduced chiefly for ornament, 

 are in a sense subordinate to the latter. 



As to fences, walls, etc., it is apparent that gardens, 

 and especially cemeteries, are more beautiful for exclud- 

 ing these from the scene. Usually the less we can have 

 of them the better for pure garden effect, to say nothing 

 of expense saved in their construction. Still we cannot 

 get along entirely without them. 



Where a guard is needed along streets and boundaries, 

 the light ornamental iron fences now manufactured are 

 excellent and interrupt the view but little. For many 

 places hedges are very suitable instead of ordinary fences 

 along the street, but if there would be an objection to a 

 hedge in front of the house on account of its density, then 

 just here an iron or other fence might take its place. 



