ARCHWAYS AND TREILLAGE 29 



be otherwise, simply because they are only the foundation 

 for the real beauty of the structure. Considerable time 

 must of necessity elapse before the framework is covered 

 with living plants, and it would indeed be regrettable if 

 the garden were disfigured even for a limited period. 

 Fortunately no such necessity exists, for by closing our 

 eyes once more to the blandishments of the ironmonger 

 and the manufacturer of " rustic" furniture, and seeking 

 simpler and more artistic designs, the supports may be 

 good to look upon from the very first. Besides, except 



ESPALIER FENCE. 



in certain cases, it is not desirable to clothe the arch or 

 trellis with a dense mass of foliage ; far better effects are 

 generally obtained by lightly veiling and softening its 

 outline, allowing each branch and shoot ample room to 

 develop properly. This makes it all the more necessary 

 that the wood or ironwork (which, after all, will be only 

 partially hidden) shall be capable of adding to the general 

 good effect, rather than tending to detract from it by an 

 ugly or commonplace appearance. 



The garden arches which we meet with in illustrated 

 catalogues are of two kinds, both being objectionable. 

 First, there is the galvanised iron arch, an ugly, top- 

 heavy arrangement, which can only be kept perpendicular 

 by staying it with wires attached to stakes driven into 

 the ground. How many times have I tripped over those 



