22 THE BOOK OF GARDEN FURNITURE 



Classic summer-houses, such as exist at Margam Park, are 

 altogether beyond the means of the ordinary gardener, 

 and besides, until softened and mellowed with age, would 

 look staring and obtrusive, no matter how good the 

 design. Summer-houses in dressed stone or brick should 

 not be erected in sight of the house proper, or, if they 

 are, care must be taken that the styles correspond, or at 

 any rate, harmonise effectively. The amateur will not 

 concern himself with the construction of these more 

 elaborate erections, but had best place himself unreservedly 

 in the hands of a good architect. On this account I shall 

 say nothing further of summer-houses of this description, 

 but pass on to those of a more rustic nature, which can 

 be made by any one versed in the use of the simpler 

 tools, and possessed of some knowledge of rough 

 carpentry. 



The chief essentials of the rustic summer-house are 

 simplicity of design, durability, and a certain degree of 

 comfort. It should be cool and airy, without being 

 draughty and damp ; and should, moreover, be so placed 

 that it may serve as a support for living plants, which 

 will decorate it far more effectively than the choicest 

 efforts of the worker in twisted branchings, virgin cork, 

 and split fir-cones. In the stone counties very charming 

 summer-houses may be built of dry rubble, and the roof 

 thatched over with reeds or heather. They soon become 

 moss-grown, the roof can be renewed at frequent 

 intervals with only the cost of labour, and for the wild 

 parts of the garden nothing can exceed these both for use 

 and picturesque effect. Unfortunately stone is of local 

 occurrence, and the majority of gardeners are obliged to 

 depend upon wood in some form or other. With regard 

 to the latter, it is perfect folly to use any but really durable 

 kinds, as the summer-house seems fated to form a centre 

 for decay, unless special steps are taken to prevent it. 

 There are enough tumble-down structures, masses of 



