188 PRACTICAL LANDSCAPE GARDENING 



PERGOLAS 



Garden houses of closed top construction are preferable to 

 those of the pergola style within the garden. Pergolas used 

 in the garden should be treated as terminal features (Fig. 148) or 

 as covering walks leading to substantial terminals. Then the lights 

 and shadows from the overhead construction (Fig. 149), with its 

 covering of Roses and \'ines, is very delightful. 



Pergolas may be of wood, brick, stone or concrete construction, 

 depending largely on the style of the garden enclosures, architecture 

 of the house, and the design and general surroundings of the garden. 



Pergolas buUt of wood may be of a rustic nature, using wood 

 with the bark on, or constructed of planed wood, stained or painted. 



For pergolas of a rustic nature Red Cedar is the best material 

 to use. For those constructed ^N-ith planed wood, UTiite Pine or 

 Cypress are best. The high cost of White Pine makes it almost 

 prohibitive. California Red Wood and Douglas Spruce are suitable 

 for this purpose. The cost of these latter two is more moderate 

 than that of either Cj'press or Pine. 



If the columns are of wood they should be set in concrete (Fig. 

 150), first coating the wood that is imbedded in the concrete with a 

 tar paint. If the posts are set in the ground, that part in the earth 

 should always be coated with tar. 



If rustic posts are used the bark should be stripped from their 

 lower portions before placing them in the ground. 



When setting posts in concrete, allow the concrete to come a little 

 above grade (Fig. 150) with the top beveled so that the water can 

 not seep down between it and the post. 



Treat logs vdih kerosene, to preser\-e the bark and protect it 

 against the ravages of borers, which tunnel under the bark and soon 

 loosen it. 



Pieces selected for the uprights should not be less than eight 

 inches at the base, preferably twelve. Clearance space under the 

 cross pieces should not be less than eight feet and the breadth from 

 center to center of posts for this height, assuming a twelve-inch 

 column, should be eight feet two inches, making the clearance 

 between posts seven feet two inches, just ten inches less than the 

 height. 



Always avoid making the width greater than the height; for good 

 proportion the reverse is always better. 



