296 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
piers. One must, of course, concede something to the semblance 
of weight in a great mass of foliage. 
The following dimensions may be taken as a working average : — 
Brickwork piers, 14 inches square ; stone piers, 18 inches, varying 
with quality and size of stone ; solid circular stone columns, 12 inches 
diameter ; Oak or Teak uprights, 11 inches square. These are 
calculated to carry 10-inch by 8-inch longitudinal timbers, and 7-inch 
by 5-inch transverse beams. The piers are assumed to be 12 feet 
apart lengthways, 8 feet 6 inches high, and 10 feet from centre to 
centre in the width of the pergola. These are suggested as minimum 
dimensions where considerable strength and permanency are desired. 
The size of the timber may perhaps be increased to advantage so far 
as appearance is concerned. 
The importance of sufficient width cannot be overrated — it makes 
the whole difference to the comfort and consequent enjoyment of the 
pergola. 
It should be taken as a rule that the breadth should exceed the 
height, and the distance of the piers lengthwise be greater than the 
width. The length of the pergola naturally affects the proportions 
throughout. 
Needless to say, the piers must rest on firm foundations. Timber 
uprights should be charred or treated with preservative. The longi- 
tudinal beams may be built into the top of the piers, and the cross- 
pieces should project a foot or so over the sides. It is also better to 
cut the latter with an upward curve in the middle, as straight trans- 
verse beams seen in perspective have the appearance of sagging in 
the centre. 
I should feel inclined to disregard the well-discussed question 
of planting if it would not savour too much of " Hamlet " without 
the Prince. 
In addition to the great number of climbing plants available, 
many shrubs of pliant habit are quite suitable for use on a 
pergola. The field of choice is therefore so large as to be confusing 
unless some clear principle of arrangement is followed. Most climbing 
plants when really happy make up in luxuriance what they lack in 
backbone. Overcrowding leads to a muddled effect, and it is better 
to exercise restraint in planting. 
Many climbers are so pliable that with proper care they can be 
trained almost at will, and the form of the pergola can either be 
defined or a massed effect produced where the composition of a picture 
so requires. 
Every pergola should have some individuality of its own, but its 
first duty is to play its part in the larger views of the garden. If it 
can simultaneously score some good side effects in conjunction with 
neighbouring planting details, so much the better. The interior 
of the pergola belongs to itself, and if happily treated will quite dispose 
of the fallacy that a pergola is only worth looking at from the 
outside. 
