PERGOLAS. 
295 
tiles, concrete, and so forth, in addition to wood. Ironwork is not 
altogether desirable, but it is possible to counteract the effects of 
contact between the metal and stems of plants by tying on wooden 
fenders. The occasional practice of buying marble or other such 
columns from a dismantled mansion for use in a garden is not to be 
recommended, except for very unusual circumstances. I know three 
people who have such columns, bought on impulse, and never used. 
Roughly sawn Oak and Teak are the most suitable timbers for 
columns. Larch of sufficient size is good for rustic work. Scots 
Fir and Spruce are not lasting. Those pergolas which collapse as 
soon as the plants which clothe them are arriving at perfection prove 
a great disappointment, as is one which has to be painted at intervals, 
and needs stripping for the operation. 
It is not worth while to elaborate the architectural details of 
stone or brickwork intended largely to be covered with foliage. As, 
however, the columns should be left exposed to an appreciable extent, 
the colour and texture of the material are important considerations. 
Needless to say, they must be handled in a craftsmanlike manner. 
Common stock bricks are ugly in shape and size, and very often 
in tone, and their unnecessary use has often given to a well-planned 
pergola a commonplace appearance. The pleasant tone which is 
so much admired in old Tudor bricks may be reproduced by employing 
selected hand-made English bricks of small size. These are pro- 
curable in a soft red colour, which tones well with a warm purple 
brick, skilfully blended. Delightful effects of light and shade are 
given by such bricks and accentuated by building with wide mortar 
joints. 
In districts in which building stone can be obtained local material 
is generally used. Excellent results are produced by thin laminated 
stone with rough edges and surfaces, built with the mortar joints 
well set back, after the fashion of dry walling. A good deal of in- 
genuity is sometimes expended in making patchwork of local material 
bricks, stones, tiles, concrete and such like. Such work needs to be 
done by a craftsman, with a sense of unity and complete mastery 
of material, otherwise a laboured and affected appearance results, 
which is exactly the opposite of the intention. Good work may be 
done with concrete (sometimes rough casted and tinted), with roofing 
tiles, fused red and purple brick burrs, and various other building 
material. 
The piers of a pergola are required to sustain the combined burden 
of the wooden beams and the planting. The business of the beams 
is to tie together and strengthen the piers, as well as to carry the 
planting. The piers and timbers must be strong enough for their 
work, but if they are disproportionately large they will look clumsy. 
Heavy work is occasionally needed for architectural effect, and it may 
also be justified by the considerable length of a pergola. Otherwise 
the effect is more graceful if the material appears just comfortably 
strong, and no more. This is especially the case in respect of circular 
