THE SUNDIAL IN" THE GAEDEN" 149 



picturesqueness to the effect and gives pegs for 

 the vines to clinib over. Do not top it with a 

 wooden dial. They are never satisfactory, for they 

 are apt to warp and thus ruin the entire scheme. 

 You need not go to great expense to procure a 

 satisfactory one, for there are many materials to 

 draw from, iron, brass and slate being the most de- 

 sirable. The latter are not expensive as they cost 

 simply the price of the material and engraving. 

 It takes a piece that ranges from an inch to an 

 inch and a half in thickness and should not be more 

 than a foot square. For this, one should not pay 

 more than seventy-five cents, although if it is cut 

 round it will be a little more expensive. If you 

 prefer to use brass it costs more and needs a ma- 

 chinist who is used to handling this material to 

 put it together for you and burnish the surface. 

 You must remember that this applies to the dial 

 only, the pedestal being a separate proposition. 



For a little inexpensive time piece for your gar- 

 den you can make one of wood, coloring it any 

 shade that you like but so that it wiU contrast pret- 

 tily with the flowers. The only thing that you must 

 bear in mind is that care should be taken in its 

 setting. If it is out of plumb it will not keep good 



