SHADY NOOKS FOR SUMMER DAYS. 



271 



a rapid growth, and its flowers when seen in 

 masses are very efFeetive ; it is to summer 

 plants what the native clematis is to our per- 

 ennial vines. Some of the ornamental gourds 

 are available for covering summer houses, 

 their large leaves overlap and afford a dense 

 shade, which is, of course, indispensable in 

 a summer-house. The variegated Japan hop 

 will answer for the purpose of shade ; it has 

 a rapid growth and an attractive foliage. 



An illustration which needs little descrip- 

 tion is the one in which an old sketching 

 umbrella frame is utilized for the canopy at 

 the top of the centre post, or constructed 

 of a large wooden hoop supported on a wire 

 properly bent. A pot is set on or in the post 

 on each side, and a ladder-like framework 

 of light sticks connects them with the 

 canopy. If desired, wooden boxes may be 

 built in place of the pots. In fact, it would 

 doubtless be a wiser plan to use boxes as 

 they may be nailed securely to the posts. 

 The centre post must be carried up to a 

 height of seven feet so that it may be passed 

 beneath without chance of brushing the hat 

 of one's tallest guest. Paint in harmony 

 with the house. Nothing will be so pretty 



gW^ 



iC: r 



>\f^- 





,■^1 



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Fig. 1S47. 



A 



Canopy 



Frame. 



. .^',-fc 



J 



or so attractive to plant about this gate as 

 nasturtiums. 



Very often the entrance to a house lacks 

 a canopy or porch, in which case the arrange- 

 ment shown in illustrations show two lig"ht 

 canopy frames, which, when covered with 

 vines, will afford a grateful shade. A 

 feature of one is the shelf for potted plants. 

 Brilliant geraniums are especially effective 

 for the purpose, their glowing- blossoms 

 fairly burning against the dark g^reen of the 

 grape vine's broad foliage. When construct- 

 ing the simpler one bring the brackets down 

 toward the base of the doorposts. The door- 

 way may be flanked with cacti or other 

 plants of a decorative character. 



For planting a door havings a canopy I 

 would advise Celastrus scandens or Ampel- 

 opsis. The native g"rape may also be used. 

 All three of the above are attractive and 

 nearly always prove satisfactory. 



Fig. 1846. A Shaded Turnstile. 



From the Larlies' Home Jonrna', copyi-igbted by the 

 Curtis Publishing Co , Philadeliihia. 



