48 THE BOOK OF GARDEN FURNITURE 



between the pillars, with their fringe of flowers and 

 foliage. I have seen many pergolas placed in positions 

 as meaningless and more so than the above, and I do not 

 wonder that many who see them for the first time are 

 somewhat doubtful as to the reason for their introduction 

 into our gardens at all. 



Having quite determined that the pergola must cross 

 some frequented walk, care should be taken that it is 

 one which will look well bridged over in the fashion 

 we propose. I have known instances in which the erec- 

 tion of a pergola has completely shut out one of the 

 best views in the garden — this is a danger to guard 

 against. In small, narrow gardens our aim should be 

 to compensate for the absence of breadth, by giving an 

 impression of as great length as possible, therefore we 

 must beware of shortening it by the erection of a heavy 

 screen of greenery right across. In other ways, the 

 gardener with grounds of limited extent will need to 

 exercise care in the choice of a suitable site, and also 

 that the size of the pergola is proportionate to the 

 surrounding objects. The pergola is of great value for 

 marking the boundary line between two distinct portions 

 of the garden, usually the lawns and highly cultivated parts, 

 and the wilder section leading maybe to the orchard or 

 fields beyond. The transition from one to the other 

 is usually ill defined, and an appearance of neglect is 

 observable. A short pergola would prepare us for a 

 change of scene, and the judicious planting of shrubs 

 would act as a further screen. It is on these short walks, 

 joining two different styles of planting and arrangement, 

 that the pergola is most useful ; in fact, it serves in the 

 garden much as does a short passage between two separate 

 portions of the house. 



Another good position would be along the edge of a 

 tennis or croquet ground. The shade and shelter would 

 be most welcome to spectators of the game, and the 



