14 ORNAMENTAL GARDENING 



would be completely saturated from roof to basement during 

 one of these storms. Plaster and wall paper are either ruined 

 or seriously injured, and the contents of rooms sure to be badly 

 damaged. I built the first part of my house with a third pitch 

 roof of the best cypress shingles carefully laid, and it faced to 

 the north and south. During a severe hurricane the wind hauled 

 to the northwest and I am sure that every drop of rain that 

 struck the north side of it was driven by the force of the wind 

 up through the shingles and into the building. Good close 

 workmanship is absolutely necessary, tar paper under shingles 

 and exposed walls is excellent, and a finish of wood alone for 

 rooms, or some material that will not be injured by water. 



The greater part of Florida is very flat, especially near the 

 coast. If one's house is placed down near the level of the ground 

 it is impossible to get a view out over the surrounding country. 

 By elevating it a few feet a much better outlook is obtained; 

 if it is raised seven or eight feet so much the better, and the space 

 beneath can be utilized for workshop, photographic dark room, 

 bathroom or other purposes. Insects are far less troublesome 

 in a house so built ; there is not one mosquito at an elevation of 

 ten feet where there are a dozen at ground level. It is probable 

 that a house thus built is more conducive to health than one 

 placed close to the ground and there is far less danger of the 

 dreaded wood fungi which attack and destroy timber at or near 

 the soil. 



There are probably two or more kinds of these fungi which 

 attack the timber houses of Florida. They work in posts set 

 in the earth or timbers just above it, slowly creeping into the 

 upper structure, sometimes destroying the entire house. No 

 wood should ever be placed on or near the ground in the con- 

 struction of any building in Florida. Concrete is, no doubt, 

 the coming material, especially for the warmer part of the state. 

 In the southeastern part of it a soft, porous limestone rock is 

 abundant, and this when laid up in a wall without being dressed 

 is very attractive and durable. Such a wall properly laid 

 will stand against any hurricane that visits this region. The 

 upper part of the building may be either of rock, concrete or 

 wood. 



