ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A VERANDAH. 135 



An outside border of about 2^ ft. between the lawn and the curb stone 

 of the verandah is a great improvement, except in the case of such arches 

 as are wanted for going in and out at, and to keep it from being walked 

 on I have fixed a framework as shown in fig. 67 between the front 

 supports, which is also very useful to train an outside lot of low creepers 

 to. They also add stifthess and firmness to the whole structure. 



By comparing the two views of my house, one, fig. 64, taken before, 

 and the other, fig. 68, after the verandah was built, it will be seen how 

 little (if any) damage was done to the existing creepers on the walls. I 

 may add that the house is now entirely covered, as it is more than three 

 years since fig. 68 was taken. 



One word as to the colour of the paint to be used. No one should be 

 dogmatic, as the colour is entirely a matter of taste, and I have no right 

 to say my taste in such matters (or in any) is better than my neighbour's. 

 I only, therefore, say what I personally like and dislike. I dislike 

 intensely imitation oak — paint should not be ashamed of itself or try to 

 pose as what it is not. Again, I think one single colour, and only one 

 shade of it, should be used ; there should be no attempt to ornament the 

 wood work by different shades or colours of paint. There are two colours 

 which always seem to me to harmonise well with plants — a warm nut- 

 brown and seakale-leaf green. Both are, I think, good for the purpose. 

 Myself, I have used the seakale-green, and many whose opinion is worth 

 having have admired it. The colour when first put on must be a shade 

 darker green than a seakale leaf, as the colour always fades a little at once. 



Fig. C9. — Ccelogyne pandukata. ( Journal of Horticulture.) 



