80 THE BOOK OF GARDEN FURNITURE 



needlessly elaborate, the effect is good, either in large 

 or small gardens. Some architects have a preference for 

 raising the arch, and the road over it, high above the 

 level of the ground on the bank. This is chiefly a point 

 for individual taste, but such forms are generally in- 

 artistic, and the labour of crossing, especially where 

 barrows, water-carts, and other garden impedimenta are 

 concerned, is vastly increased. Where not absolutely 

 level, a rise of a few inches is all that is necessary or 

 desirable. In formal gardens, or where proximity to the 

 house renders some architectural pretension necessary, 

 care should be taken that the bridge is made to harmonise 

 completely with the style or period in question. Ex- 

 cellent bridges may be constructed of rubble, with a 

 simple coping of stone ; these structures, when grown 

 over with moss and small ferns, are eminently satisfactory, 

 without being in the least pretentious. The advantage, 

 too, of the latter form is that they can easily be made by 

 local workmen, the owner himself supplying the design. 

 Where solidity is not so necessary, there are numerous 

 forms of wooden bridges which will answer very well 

 while they last, but naturally they are only suited for foot 

 passengers, and are generally too flimsy for even wheel- 

 barrows or water-carts. 



The simplest and earliest form of wooden bridge is 

 the fallen tree, and when properly treated, and supplied 

 with a light hand-rail, this often looks extremely well ; 

 especially in the semi-wild parts, or where a stream 

 forms the boundary between the garden proper and the 

 orchard or meadow beyond, the simplicity of such a con- 

 trivance is sure to be in keeping. Needless to say, the 

 trunk should be of some durable wood, preferably oak, 

 and the sap wood should be carefully removed. Rather 

 than have the log sawn through longitudinally — though 

 this is the most economical plan, giving two bridges 

 from the same tree — roughly trim it with the adze to 



