PLAIN ARCH 



A, the arch ; B, a pillar ; C, portion of 

 roof; D, tying-block, for centre of 

 arch. 



ARCHES, PERGOLAS, PILLARS, AND STUMPS 269 



to get rustic timber with a convenient, and practically imperish- 

 able, erection, ready made, easily transported, and quickly fixed. 

 But the ironmonger will sometimes be in a position to show a 

 wooden arch, or such a thing will be 

 on view in the horticultural departments 

 that are now commonly to be found in 

 most emporia in the cities. It will not 

 differ very much in price from the wire 

 arch ; and if it is made of rustic, twisted, 

 gnarled wood, and suitably stained, it 

 will certainly look a great deal more 

 natural than the wire arch. 



Generally speaking, while most Roses 

 and other climbers do very well on wire, 

 they do still better on wood ; and on all 

 counts a wooden arch should be preferred to a metal one. It has 

 one point of weakness its base. No matter how strong the upper 



part of an arch may be, it is weak if the 

 part which is to be put into the ground 

 is untreated. The portion which is to be 

 buried should be dressed with creosote 

 or tar, or charred by laying the ends in 

 a garden fire. 



In the country, where rustic timber 

 is always procurable from wood-dealers, 

 builders, nurserymen, or estate agents, 

 the amateur will probably elect to erect 

 his own arches. He will make a few 

 inquiries, and ascertain where Larch poles and twisted oak can be 

 got, then make his bargain and set to work. Constructing rustic 

 arches is interesting work, and affords scope for taste and in- 

 genuity. Care should be taken to fix the main uprights securely. 

 Few inexperienced amateurs realise how thorough this job must 



RUSTIC ARCH 



