February, 1914 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 



35 



Pergolas in the Garden 



A. V. Main, Ottawa, Ont. 



IN our Canadian gardens the use of per- Many people construct pergolas of 



golas is as yet limited. Some have been cedar or wire material and have a poor 

 erected that have not been a sue- pathway also. Cedar in its untrimmed 

 cess. Others again see fit to criticize state soon looks shabby and is of short 



their u.sefulness, in our severe climate, 

 which interferes with their splendour. 

 To my mind we might as well say that 

 our verandahs, arbours, and summer 

 cottages were unnecessary. If pergolas 

 present some difficulties as regards hav- 

 ing them clothed with beautiful climbers, 

 it only means that we must be more 

 consistent in our efforts to overcome this 

 obstacle to success. 



What is a pergola, anyway? It might 

 be termed a continued archway, with 

 climbers overhead : A leafy canopy, par- 

 tially shaded : A retreat for rest and 

 quietude : An avenue situated near the 

 mansion, that stands out in dignity and 

 adds to the beauty of all around it, by 

 its open entrances and majestic stateli- 

 ness. It bids us come forth and admire. 



Many pergolas, particularly those of 

 amateur construction, remind me of the 

 hermit build. They are out of propor- 

 tion and lack space in which to stand 

 iip properly. They are inclined to be 

 dingy, pokey affairs. Pergolas are not 

 dungeons. The one here illustrated was 

 built last spring. Where it now stands 

 a row of lilacs and viburnums stood re- 

 lics of many a wintry blast, which pro- 

 vided an excellent breeding space for 

 sparrows and aphis and also shaded a 

 twelve-foot strip of ground. With some 

 reluctance they were beheaded. 



duration. In winter it does not furnish 

 a pleasant contrast to the snow. 



The beautiful pillars or columns here 

 shown are seven feet six inches, and are 

 placed on cement pillars eight feet apart. 



down two sides. There are twelve col- 

 umns to a side. Beams six-inch by four- 

 inch are placed parallel on the top of the 

 column. Cross rafters are then placed 

 overhead two feet apart. These are 

 twelve feet in length, two feet being 

 allowed to project over the columns, the 

 ends being of an ornamental nature. 



The walk is eight feet wide and pro- 

 jects to the outside line of columns. It 

 consists of a solid four-foot foundation 

 of stone and has a red cement finish. The 

 columns are set on cement three inches 

 above the walk to avoid decay, and the 

 walk itself is situated several inches 

 higher than the ground at each side to 

 avoid splashing of earth in time of rain 

 or washing off. 



Four wires should be evenly distribut- 

 ed up and down the pillars about two 

 inches from the wood. Along the top, 

 galvanized wire should be stretched the 

 entire length about eighteen inches apart 

 to provide assistance for the climbers. 

 White is the best color of paint. 



This is a substantial pergola, and 

 pleasant to look at in winter as well as 

 in summer. It is a work of some dura- 

 tion. The entire length is one hundred 

 feet. It is probably the only one of its 

 kind in the Dominion. These pergolas 

 are a specialty of some United States 

 firms and are very much in use across 

 the border. They vary in some small 

 details of design. Very often they are 

 linked with the house, like the conser- 

 vatory. 



The work of the carpenter or builder 

 is an easy matter, and is soon finished, 

 but the gardener, wh.o has to make the 

 dress for Miss Pergola, has many mis- 

 fits. He fails to see a finish to his work. 



