May, 1912 
a point which should receive a 
good deal of consideration, es- 
pecially in a climate such as ours. 
Seats which are placed in more 
exposed places of the grounds 
will be found to be little used. 
If there are no sheltering 
trees or shady corners, a light 
framework of branches should 
be made, over which suitable 
climbers may be trained. Fre- 
quently the position of a seat is 
determined by the view which 
one may obtain while resting 
upon it, and while in some cases 
this plan works out admirably, 
still as a rule it should have a 
more obvious justification. than 
mere view tO warrant its situation in a definite position. 
The rustic and attractive painted seats shown in the ac- 
companying illustrations are among the best types of gar- 
den furniture. They are.simple, attractive, and practical 
in design, and in finish harmonize with. informal garden 
schemes, fitting in most artistically with: the surrounding 
landscape. Particularly interest- 
ing is the double seat affording 
comfortable accommodations for 
four persons. This arrange- 
ment allows of two separate 
views without the trouble of 
moving the seat, and is especially 
practical where only one seat is 
to be used in the garden layout. 
All these seats are built for 
comfort, and care is taken that 
the backs are of the right height, 
and that the seat is placed at a 
point distant from the ground to 
suit the average person. The 
value of this is evident in the 
single seat, which is not unlike a 
comfortable old-time armchair. 
Its finish allows of painting, af- 
fording opportunity for harmonious color combination, and 
it fits into any scheme, either simple or elaborate. 
If more than one piece of furniture is to be used in a 
garden scheme, pretty rustic tables are attractive. Arranged 
with a chair or two they are an addition that any garden 
owner might be proud of, and they are convenient not only 
as a receptacle on which to serve afternoon tea, but also as 
Rustic table and chairs for the informal garden 
Painted table and chairs for the informal eden, 
Garden seats of this sort are increasing in the popularity they deserve and are especially suited for use in formal 
AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 163 
a resting place for an attractive 
box of gay-colored flowers, 
which add a contrasting bit of 
tone. 
However used, each and every 
piece is wholly adaptable, and 
their simplicity of construction 
is such that they may readily be 
made by the amateur. All lines 
are plain and straight, and with 
the wood used in an unfinished 
state, the bark is the only finish 
required. 
Not only seats and settees, 
benches, etc., but all manner of 
ornaments in the way of sun- 
dials, vases, pergolas, gates, and 
garden houses, may be made in 
rustic design, and to even a garden of formal layout they 
add a touch of quaintness which renders them distinct in 
the scheme. 
Sundials, for instance, are found in a great many gardens 
of to-day. They may be simple or elaborate, old or new, 
large or small. There is a chance for the greatest individ- 
uality in choosing them. They 
may be made from an old tree 
stump, thus carrying out the rus- 
tic idea, and add a finishing 
touch to a rustic garden, or they 
may be made from the most 
elaborate marble column. ‘The 
dial may be carved in the stone 
in this case, instead of being 
made of brass. Some of the 
bases for these dials, which are 
imported from Italy and Greece, 
are beautifully carved. They 
may be tables, fountains, vases, 
or anything which may _ be 
adapted to this purpose. Beau- 
tiful as well as practical bases 
are now made in this country, of 
a material which much resem- 
bles gray stone. Old models are easily copied in this mate- 
rial and give most satisfactory results. It is rather a delicate 
piece of work to set a dial accurately and it should be done 
by an expert. When it is ordered the state, county and town 
where it is to be used must be given, otherwise the dial will 
not be accurate for that particular latitude. It must then be 
set absolutely flat, and pointing directly to the North Star. 
on er 
gardens 
