94 COME INTO THE GARDEN 



provide the greatest amount of encouragement 

 possible to the cultivation of the out-of-doors 

 habit — and the greatest amount of help in 

 breaking up the front-porch habit. Seats in 

 the form of a semicircle are especially agree- 

 able for groups, or if these are beyond the pos- 

 sibilities, in the form of a square open at the 

 side. Either is good, for either brings the occu- 

 pants somewhat face to face; thus they are con- 

 ducive to use because they are conducive to 

 conversation. 



Comfort and use should be consulted pri- 

 marily in the construction of both arbors and 

 seats. None of the narrow, rail-bottom, rail- 

 back, unpleasant affairs so generally found in 

 the latter should ever be given any position 

 whatsoever. Firm balance, a smooth seat, and 

 an easy, smooth reclining surface for a back are 

 essential — and all three are perfectly simple to 

 attain without sacrificing the picturesque in the 

 least. 



With the loitering places and the living spots 

 of the outdoors provided, lesser accessories make 

 their claim. Named in the order of their interest 

 I consider them to be: first, the bird bath, either 

 a pool or elevated basin or a very simple foun- 

 tain, if circumstances permit its being kept in 

 play; second, the sundial; third, the statue or 



