58 



DWELLINGS, OUTBUILDINGS, 



Fig. 13. charming architectural combinations for 



gateways, but it will not do on a place 

 which has not otherwise a 'highly architect- 

 ural character, to "make it up " on the gate- 

 way. 



On places where solid constructive dec- 

 orations cannot be afforded, we advise the 

 use of topiary work, by which is meant the 

 fanciful forms sometimes given, by cutting 



and trimming, to verdant arbors, thickets, trees, and hedges. 

 There are many species of evergreens which 

 may be planted on each side of the gateways 

 of ordinary foot-walks so as to be made into 

 charming arches over the entrance. With 

 patience and annual care, these can be per- 

 fected within about ten years, but they will 

 also afford most pleasing labor from the 

 beginning ; and the infantile graces of the 

 trees, which are year by year to be devel- 

 oped into verdant arches, will probably af- 

 ford quite as much pleasure in their early 

 growth as in their perfected forms. In the 

 descriptions of the trees which are suitable 



for this kind of topiary work, the mode of managing them will 

 be noted in detail. We here introduce the 

 same cuts to give a hint of the effect in- 

 tended, though, when well grown, such arches 

 are far more beautiful than our engraving 

 can even suggest. Fig. 13 shows a pair of 

 hemlocks planted inside of a gateway, and 

 grown to a height of 10 to 12 feet, and only 

 trimmed on the inside. Fig. 14 shows the 

 effect at the end of ten years — ^the tops of 

 the two trees having been twisted together so 

 as to grow as one tree over the centre of the 

 arch, and all parts trimmed year by year to 

 the form illustrated. Fig. 15 shows the effect 



