ARBORS AND OTHER 



to " talk things over," or to quiet hours with a 

 book that would lose half its charm if read in- 

 doors, as a companion. The original of this pic- 

 ture is built over a path that is sometimes used 

 as a driveway, and is known as " the outdoor 

 parlor " by the family on whose grounds it stands. 

 You will find some member of the family there 

 on every pleasant day, throughout the entire 

 season, for it is fitted out with hammocks and 

 swinging seats, and a table large enough to serve 

 as tea-table, on occasion, with a cover that lifts 

 and discloses a snug box inside in which books 

 and magazines can be left without fear of injury 

 in case of shower or damp weather. Tea served 

 in such surroundings takes on a flavor that it 

 never has indoors. The general design of this 

 summer-house, as will readily be seen by the illus- 

 tration, is simplicity itself, and can very easily 

 be copied by the amateur workman. 



It often happens that there are ravines or 

 small depressions on the home-grounds over 

 which a rustic bridge could be thrown with pleas- 

 ing effect, from the ornamental standpoint, and 

 prove a great convenience from the standpoint of 

 practicality. If there is a brook there, all the 

 better, but few of us, however, are fortunate 

 enough to be owners of grounds possessing so 



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