PRACTICAL BOOK OF GARDEN ARCHITECTURE 



should be used of sufficient length to be tied to at 

 least two of the battens, three ties will be still better, 

 for a heavy roof; and in nailing the battens to the 

 roof, the distance between them should be regulated 

 according to the length of the straw used. 



Beginning at the eaves, a heavy over-hang of 

 double thickness of straw should be allowed to give 

 a firm eave-line, extending out about three or four 

 inches beyond the lowest batten after the straw has 

 been trimmed. This first thick layer is securely 

 fastened to the lowest batten by tying at intervals 

 of four or five inches. The progress may seem dis- 

 couraging at first, as the thick roll of straw when 

 tied at the bottom will spring into an upright posi- 

 tion. But when the next course of straw is put on, 

 shingle-fashion, above the first the springing tops 

 of the under layer will be caught and held firmly in 

 position by being tied to the second row of battens. 

 When tied a third time, in connection with the con- 

 tinued upper courses, the finish from beneath the 

 roof will be more pleasing. For the exposed roof- 

 lines of a decorative summer-house rather long straw 

 will accordingly be most desirable. 



The straw will prove more pliable for handling, 

 and the thatch will be tougher when finished, if the 

 bundles are spread out in uniform layers, and thor- 

 oughly sprinkled with water a day or two before 



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