Chapter ELEVEN 



HARSH outlines of buildings, a dead 

 tree, a dilapidated fence, a sunny 

 window, an obtrusive outbuilding, 

 may be transformed by the use of 

 Nature's drapery. There exists in 

 the minds of many, unfortunately, a prejudice against 

 vines on the house as injurious to walls. This is en- 

 tirely unfounded, the contrary, so far as I am able to 

 judge, being the case, especially on the south and west 

 sides of frame houses, where the paint and consequent- 

 ly the woodwork, will be found in a much better state 

 of preservation when protected by such vines as Am- 

 pelopsis Veitchi, Virginia Creeper, Woodbine, and the 

 like, than when exposed to the burning, blistering rays 

 of the sun. Vines make a thick growth of overlapping 

 leaves which shed rain and prevent its penetrating to 

 the walls. In England, where it is much used, it is 

 said that walls covered with Ivy are almost indestruc- 

 tible, so hard and dry has the cement remained under 

 its protecting care, 



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