July. 191 3 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



261 



Slat-back garden bench 



prolific bloom which makes the successful flower-garden so 

 attractive is not alone a matter of chance or accident. 

 Nearly all flowers if left to blossom and wither in due course 

 on their stalks soon go to seed, a process that taxes 

 the vitality of the plant and soon discourages any succession 

 of bloom. In order to maintain a colorful garden the 

 flowering annuals, especially such as Pansies, Sweet Peas, 

 Marigolds, Morning Glories, Four-o'clocks, Petunias and 

 Verbenas should be picked every day. 



ARTISTIC GARDEN SEATS OF WOOD 



Photographs by Mary H. Northend 



GARDEN seats are the most important articles of gar- 

 den furniture, and are made of various materials — 

 limestone, marble, concrete and wood being principally used. 



Garden "Motto" bench 



Of these the last is the most desirable, as it is low in price, 

 artistic, and wooden garden seats can be home made. If 

 pretty rustic effects are desired, cedar or locust, with the 

 bark left on, can be used to advantage, and cypress is also 

 most satisfactory. 



For these, odd bits can be used and if the designs are 

 carefully worked out by persons having artistic ideas, the 

 results are very gratifying. Pretty seats can be made of 

 slabs or strips of wood which are arranged on frames, and 

 when painted will last for years. 



There are many different styles in garden seats, some be- 

 ing mere chairs which will accommodate one person only, 

 while others are longer with a circular effect. A third type 

 has a double seat which will seat four people. For comfort, 

 all these should have high backs and low seats. Many in- 

 teresting and attractive garden seats are shown in the shops. 



Garden furniture constructed on strong and durable lines but artistic in effect 



