356 THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



way, whether supported by oak posts, or brick or stone pillars as in 

 Italy. 



The ordinary covered ways made in England of plants are often 

 too narrow and " pokey." In forming all such things a certain 

 amount of freedom is essential ; and we cannot enjoy the air 

 in the usual narrow covered way, which, apart from its own error 

 as to size, is also soon narrowed by growth. It should always 

 be made at least wide enough for two people to be able to walk 

 abreast. Where oak is not distinctly preferred, 14 in. brick pillars 

 are best, and the plants take to them very soon. Common brown or 

 rough stock bricks are far better for this use than showy red bricks : 

 the last being often too the most costly. In stone districts stone 

 would do as well or better, and it needs no fine dressing or 

 designing after any pattern. It is better in fact done in the free way 

 the Italians do it ; but then in Italy every man is a mason, or knows 

 what to do with stone, and also the stone there comes out in long 

 posts or flakes, which serve as posts. This is also the case in the 

 north of England, where beautiful posts of the green stone may be 

 seen in use on the farms. In Cornwall, too, it would be easy to have 

 stone pillars. We are in the iron age and many resort to iron, ugliest 

 of all materials ; but if simply done and not disfigured with galvanised 

 wire, even iron may help our purpose if painted carnation green or 

 some other quiet colour. If we use iron, we may take from its 

 hardness by tying wooden trellis work over it, which is better for 

 tying the climbers to than iron or wire, using the most enduring 

 wood we have for this purpose. For this an excellent aid will be found 

 in the bamboo stakes which now come in quantities to our ports as 

 underpacking for sugar cargoes. These are sold in quantity at a 

 reasonable rate, and are an excellent aid in making the iron pergola 

 wired across and along the iron supports. Thus we get an enduring 

 material, good in colour and excellent to tie the shoots of rose, clematis, 

 or vine to. 



The beautiful climbing shrubs and other plants that would find a 

 good congenial home on such a pergola are a good reason for its use. 

 Among them various graceful forms of our grape vine, as well as 

 the Japanese and American wild vines, a group which now includes 

 the Virginian creepers of our gardens, which are also useful, but not 

 so good as the true vines ; the lovely Wistaria, and not only the old 

 Chinese kind, the best of all, but the beautiful Japanese long-racemed 

 kind ( W. multijuga) ; and various others too, though we think none 

 come near to these in beauty ; the brilliant flame Nasturtium in cool 

 districts, and where light shade is desired ; the green briar (Smilax) 

 of America, and also the South of Europe, for warm soils ; handsome 



