Gardens and Their Accessories 



283 



The summer-house is more particularly an English or Colonial accessory, and 

 is perhaps an outgrowth from the small Classic garden temple. On Georgian 

 lines it can be made an architectural gem, and even the rustic type is extremely 

 interesting; a simple form of this may be built for about $25. Unfortunately 

 good existing exam- 

 ples of the Colonial 

 summer house are 

 rare (the excellent 

 example shown on 

 page 272 has been 

 demolished). 



Where used, the 

 summer-house fre- 

 quently serves as 

 the chief architect- 

 ural embellishment 

 of the garden, and, 

 with the Colonial de- 

 sign, this was its 

 rightful pla ce. 

 Under ordinary cir- 

 cumstances it should 

 have a flooring at 

 least one step above 

 the ground ; the 

 more dignified and 

 upright types re- 

 quire more elevation. 



The fence, as 

 associated with the 

 garden, is more pro- 

 perly a balustrade, 

 and is generally on 

 the scale of stone 

 rather than wood, 



even if constructed of the latter material. Sometimes used independently, it 

 frequently serves as an attic to the garden wall, and more particularly where 

 such wall is high and used to retain an embankment. In such cases it should be 

 secured to the wall by anchor irons built into the masonry. 



In wood its construction is best of the made-up type, that is, as far as posts 

 and rails are concerned; the balustrades are of course turned. A simple form 

 of wooden fence could be built for from $1.50 to $2 per running foot. 



The wall which serves to enclose the garden may be high or low as occasion 

 demands, and is constructed of either stone or brick. Such construction should 

 be substantial according to its use. The well-laid wall is often a thing of beauty 

 in itself, and for this reason it is not advisable to cover it entirely with growth. 



A side porch showing the relation of the garden to the house and method of tying in 



