CROWS'-NESTS AND TREE HOUSES 



any part of the enclosure and falling from the re- 

 treat. 



For a rustic house up among the tree branches, 

 the services of an architect may be necessary. Yet 

 with care in certain important details, almost any 

 handy man should be able to design and build a 

 satisfactory structure. 



A few years ago, while in quest of inspirations 

 for building a writing room out in the branches of a 

 fine old tree adjoining my "den," I chanced upon a 

 description of a tree-house studio in a section of 

 the Catskill Mountains, where authors and artists 

 congregate during the summer months. A visit to 

 this novel tree house (which the resourceful owner 

 generously described for the benefit of any one who 

 might desire to copy his design) afforded sug- 

 gestions for building many forms of quaint struc- 

 tures, by slightly altering the plans to meet indi- 

 vidual requirements. Any one of these designs may 

 serve as a fascinating little retreat in the home gar- 

 den, if there is a tree of sufficient breadth and dignity 

 to support it. 



When there are a number of well-developed trees 

 from which to choose a site for the rustic house, do 

 not make the mistake of selecting one near the street 

 or public roadway. The quaint decorative house 

 built up in the branches may seem worthy of a promi- 



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