FLOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE GROUND HOUSES, ETC. 365 



up, and we find that, even when done in the best way, with larch or oak, 

 and by old-fashioned workmen, who get as much simplicity of form 

 and endurance out of it as they can, the years pass so rapidly and 

 British rain is so constant, that rot and decay are all we get out of it, 

 and very often such bridges fall into such a dangerous state before we 

 have time to repair them, that animals often get into danger from them. 

 A much better way is the earth bank, with a drain pipe through, 

 and this suffices where there is a slight, steady, or an occasional flow 

 of water, and also to cross gorges or depressions. We can find the 

 earth to make it on the spot, and by punning, and in the case of 

 larger work of this kind, carting over it, we can get it to settle down 

 in one winter to the level we want it, and soon have an excellent and 

 permanent way across. Such banks will support any weight, and are 

 as free from decay as the best stone bridge. One of their best points 



Oak-pale fencing, Surrey. 



is that the sides and approaches and slope of the earth bank can be 

 made pretty at once by planting with Honeysuckle, Broom, Sweetbrier, 

 or any other hardy things. Another advantage of the bank is, that 

 the simplest willing workman can form it. The materials being 

 on the spot, it is foolish to cart things a long way. Even when we 

 have stone or brick at hand the labour has to be considered. By making 

 a culvert of bricks and cement, the earth-bank is equally good to cross 

 constantly running streamlets. 



THE SUMMER-HOUSE is generally a failure and often a heap of 

 decay. To make such a structure of wood that soon decays is labour 

 wasted. It may be possible, by using the best woods and good oak 

 slabs, to make a summer-house which will be picturesque and endur- 

 ing, but it is better to build it of stone or some lasting material and 

 cover it with vines and quick-growing climbers. 



