HINDRANCES AND HELPS. 301 



here and there the deft turning of a rude arch, with 

 two crooked bits, over door or window. Farm la- 

 borers, under direction, were fully competent to the 

 work ; and in a couple of days I had converted my 

 unsightly buildings into very tasteful, rustic affairs, 

 harmonizing with the banks of foliage behind and 

 over them, and giving capital foothold to the vines 

 which I planted around them. 



In keeping with their effect, I caused gates to be 

 constructed of the simplest material, from the cedar 

 thickets ; varying these in design, and yet making 

 each so simple as to admit of easy imitation, and to 

 unite strength, solidity, and cheapness. If, indeed, 

 these latter qualities could not be united, the work 

 would not at all meet the end I had in view which 

 was not merely to produce a pretty effect, but to 

 demonstrate the harmony of such decorative work 

 with true farm economy. One often sees, indeed, rus- 

 tic-work of most cumbrous and portentous dimensions 

 overladen with extraordinary crooks and curves, 

 and showing at a glance immense labor in selection 

 and in arrangement. All this may be pleasing, and 

 often exceedingly beautiful ; but it is a mere affecta- 

 tion of rural simplicity ; it wears none of that fit and 

 simple character which would at once commend it to 

 the eye of a practical man as an available and imitable 

 feature. If I can give such arrangement to simple 



