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AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



May, 1 910 



The walls, like the cottage, are covered with shingles 



side of the house is the best for our purpose. Generally 

 the south-east side of the house is preferable, as receiving 

 the morning sun and the afternoon shade. Further, where 

 can the absolutely necessary supports for superstructure, in- 

 termediate glazing, screens, shades, etc., best be located? 

 Do not place them where the breeze comes from, or the 

 view is best, and, above all, do not place horizontal sub- 

 divisions for glass or screenwork where they are liable to 

 intersect one's line of vision, either sitting or standing. 



If the room is merely intended for summer use, and the 

 platform may be built waterproof, nothing Is nicer than 

 to place It sufficiently low to enable one to step directly 

 upon It from the surrounding lawns, unimpeded by rails or 

 wainscoting. If, however, it Is also meant for the winter, 

 enclose all except the exit with a low rail or parapet about 

 three feet high. The bottom rail should be raised a little 

 from the floor, so as to allow the water to run off in 

 summer, and its top rail given a good breadth and finished 

 with a wash and proper rebate to take the storm sash and 



Obtaining as much sea and sunshine as is possible 



winter windows In a sufficiently tight man- 

 ner to keep out the wind and the weather. 

 A shelf projecting out at the level of the 

 top of this rail, either inside or out, is an 

 admirable place for boxed or potted 

 flowers. If during certain seasons it Is In 

 the way, it may easily be hinged so as 

 to fold down. It Is almost always 

 useful for magazines or teacups, if not for 

 plants. 



It Is very Important to have the sash 

 and the screens properly constructed above 

 the railing. They should both be so built 

 and set up as to be easily removable and 

 stored, the sash during the summer and 

 the screens during the winter. The ad- 

 joining woodwork above and below should 

 be so detailed as to allow partial glazing, 

 say to the most exposed side. Along the 

 outside lines of the ceiling, directly inside 

 the main supports, and on top of the hand- 

 rail, there should be a small rebate to hold 

 the frames, and similarly, floor stops and 

 beads or stops along the sides between the 

 columns or pilasters or piers. These 

 should be set so as to screw on or off with 

 copper screws whenever it is deemed necessary to set up 

 or take down the sash. The sash should always be made 

 In sections, so as to be easily handled as well as stored in 

 the cellar or barn. Double hung sash are better than case- 

 ments, for they may be opened as little or as much as de- 

 sired, according to the wind and the weather, and are more 

 liable within their tracks to keep from shrinking and swell- 

 ing. The catches and lifts should be rust-proof and finished 

 so as not to need cleaning. Obstruct the view as little as 

 possible. Small panes and diamond-shaped lattice work 

 may seem attractive, but perfectly plain plates of glass show 

 you more of the trees and sky, and are very much easier 

 to keep clean. 



There are few articles made of wood where good quality 

 is as essential as In screens. The wood must be thoroughly 

 kiln-dried and protected with sufficient good paint or var- 

 nish to keep the water from penetrating. Clear white pine 

 is the best material, and the frames should at least be one 

 and one-eighth inches thick, the joints mortised and tenoned, 

 glued and wedged. The screens should 

 be numbered with simple brass tacks with 

 duplicate numbers on the frames to avoid 

 confusion when placing them in the spring 

 The ideal, though more expensive, method 

 is to procure screens with metal instead of 

 wooden frames, which neither warp nor 

 shrink nor swell. In all cases it is essen- 

 tial that the netting is securely fastened to 

 its frame and doubled on itself where it Is 

 attached, hindering it from becoming loose 

 and baggy by being imperfectly fastened 

 by tacks. The netting must not be too 

 light; no less than one "fourteen mesh" to 

 the inch will exclude the mosquitoes; it 

 must be evenly woven, and certainly of 

 copper, so as not to rust. Bronze wire Is 

 the best. It is hard and strong, being 

 made of solid bronze metal. The screen 

 doors leading out should have spiral hinges 

 so as to close even after a forgetful maid. 

 Heating and lighting must be thought 

 of during the early stages of construction; 

 the tubing and wires run back of the visible 

 ceiling and wall surfaces to the necessary 

 lights, with their switch inside the house. 



