FLOWER GARDEN AND PLEASURE GROUND HOUSES, ETC. 369 



Oak branches or the stems of stunted Oaks, or of old stub Oaks 

 that are often found about a country place, and are of very little value 

 as timber. Larch lasts well in the absence of Oak, but is not nearly 

 so good in effect. By using Oak with stone or brick supports, a 

 covered way may be made which will last for years without falling 

 into decay, as is the case with this kind of work when done with more 

 perishable woods and without lasting supports. It would be far better 

 to employ strong iron wire than wood of this sort. An advantage 

 which woodwork has over iron lies in its good effect. Carefully done, a 

 covered way made as above described may be picturesque even before 

 there is a plant on it. 



LIVING SUPPORTS. A pretty way of supporting plants and 

 forming covered ways is to use certain trees of a light and graceful 



Bower with stone table at end of garden. From a photo sent by the Marquis de Fontreira. 



character for supporting climbers, just as the Italians often support 

 their Vines on living trees kept within bounds. Such trees as the 

 weeping Aspen, weeping Birch, and fruit trees of graceful, drooping 

 forms, like some Apples, would do well, and would be worth having 

 for their own sakes, while through the trees hardy climbers could 

 freely run. 



BOATHOUSES. Among the things which are least beautiful in 

 many gardens and pleasure grounds is the boathouse. Our builders 

 are not simple in their ways, and are seldom satisfied with any one good 

 colour or material to make a house with, or even a boathouse, but 

 every kind of ugly variegation is tried, so that harshness in effect is 

 the usual result, where all should be simple and quiet in colour, as it is 

 in boathouses on the Norfolk Broads made of reeds and rough posts. 

 The simpler the better in all such work, using local material like Oak, 



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