24 THE BOOK OF GARDEN FURNITURE 



are used, they should be raised well above the level of 

 the ground, and a small step provided at the entrance. I 

 do not care for vanes on small summer-houses ; they are 

 more fitting ornaments to stable buildings, and look out 

 of place among the trees and flowers of the garden. 

 Windows are by no means desirable, as they only serve 

 to exclude fresh air, and often make the interior un- 

 bearably hot. Light wooden shutters are sometimes 

 convenient, and they are useful to put up in wet 

 weather, so as to prevent the rain from driving in. 

 Though it is very essential that direct sunshine be ex- 

 cluded from the summer-house, it should be remembered 

 that a light, airy interior is of all things desirable ; the 

 damp, earthy smell which often permeates these structures 

 is mainly due to lack of fresh air. Besides, darkness and 

 dirt are synonymous terms, and the summer-house will 

 generally be festooned with cobwebs if there is only a 

 narrow doorway for admitting light and air. When the 

 house is not built against a wall, a small opening may be 

 made in the back, sufficient to allow of a through current 

 of air. If there is a good view, a light lattice would 

 enable it to be enjoyed, otherwise it might be well to fit 

 a solid wooden shutter, which would make the place 

 somewhat less draughty on days inclined to be chilly, or 

 towards evening. These houses of plain carpentry should 

 not be painted ; if constructed of the split oak as recom- 

 mended, they look far better in the natural colour of the 

 wood. Match-boarding makes a very inartistic lining, 

 but it is sometimes unavoidable, in which case it should 

 be hung over with matting. The addition of a small 

 verandah is often advisable to houses of considerable size, 

 and, when overgrown with roses and creepers, it is 

 often extremely picturesque. However, this feature 

 should be so arranged that it does not exclude air and 

 light from the interior, as is nearly always the case when 

 it is attached to a dwelling-house. 



