CHAPTER VI 

 SMALL FEATURES AND GARDEN FURNISHINGS 



THERE is possibly nothing more attractive as a garden feature 

 than an old-fashioned sundial. It is not only useful as an accent 

 in our garden plan, but it has a sentimental charm going back to 

 the gardens of our Tudor ancestors. Of course, today, we all have 

 clocks, and watches are universal, yet it is still a pleasure to read the 

 time upon a sundial and to ponder over the cheerful inscriptions they 

 carry. 



We commonly speak of the pedestal and the bronze horizontal 

 plate secured to the top of the pedestal as a sundial; the term in the 

 beginning meant merely the plate with its gnomon; but by common 

 usage the term sundial can be considered correct when applying to the 

 sundial proper, pedestal and base, as a whole. 



As the purpose of the sundial is to count the sunny hours it would, 

 of course, be incongruous to place a sundial where it does not secure 

 the sunlight, no matter how well it might serve as a part of our scheme 

 in such a location. 



A sundial should be chosen which is well designed, and should 

 have a suitable base. When the base is not given proper consideration 

 and when the sundial is not advantageously located, much of the pleas- 

 ure which would be derived from it is lost. 



A charming sundial can often be constructed of local material; in 

 many cases the material used in building the house can be used to good 

 advantage. Often a sundial plate is seen set upon the top of a sawed- 

 off stump, which is obviously not good taste. 



One of the most interesting and useful ornaments which can be 

 used upon our grounds is a bird bath. Too much cannot be said in 

 its favor. It can be as beautiful as a small fountain and the birds 

 which it attracts makes it a desirable feature. 



The bird bath should be well designed so that it will add to the 

 beauty of our grounds as well as have an attraction for the birds. A 



