STATUARY, TRETLLAGE AND GARDEN FURNITURE. 



Dovecotes. 



would lend itself particularly well to adaptation for use in the garden attached to a 

 classical mansion at the end of a vista formed by a path between herbaceous borders. The 

 most useful size is nine feet long measured straight across between the two ends, but, of 

 course, in almost every case, such seats will have to be made exactly to suit their particular 

 surroundings, both as to size and the amount of elaboration or simplicity in the design. 



FIG. 230. 



FIG. 231. 



Dovecotes are extremely decorative features where it is possible to introduce them, 

 but, unfortunately, the havoc wrought by the doves in the flower garden prevents their 

 extended use. Illustration No. 233 shows a design erected in a garden laid out by 



the Author. In even such small dovecotes 

 as this, the interior should be divided up 

 into a series of boxes with only one entrance 

 to each. The usual size is about twelve 

 inches every way, but fan-tailed birds should 

 be given a little more room if possible. 

 Where it is desired that the birds should 

 breed readily this is still more necessary, 

 and, if possible, there should be a second 

 nesting-box opening out of the first. That 

 the dovecote and the nests can easily be 

 kept clean is the most necessary requirement 

 in their design, and inaccessible corners 

 which cannot be reached for cleaning are to 

 be avoided. Dovecotes contrived in the 

 gables of out -buildings and summer-houses 

 are, of course, more practical than those 

 of the form illustrated, where the doves, 

 and not the quaint erection itself, are 

 the attraction, or where a considerable 

 number are to be kept. Attached to 

 several of the old manor houses of England 

 are large circular dovecotes about twelve 

 feet in diameter, the brick or stone walls 

 of which are honeycombed throughout with 

 nesting holes. A large framework supporting 



a ladder is built to a circular post, which is placed in the centre of the building, so 

 that the whole can be revolved and any one of the hundreds of nests be reached at 

 will. The walls are about fifteen feet high, and support a conical roof which has a 

 lantern at its apex to accommodate the pigeon holes by which the birds pass into and 

 out of the building. 



STONE GARDfrl SEAT 

 HAGUE 



FIG. 232. 



170 



