FASHIONING THE GARDEN. 
21 
a sort of screen or connecting link between one part of a 
garden and another. If free-growing roses are required in the 
middle of an open garden, it is better to grow them in pillar 
fashion, using a stout tree stem to support them. Where 
arches are required, let them be of as simple construction as 
possible, as the sole object of their use is to support climbers. 
Unpeeled larch, or peeled oak, and varnished, is a suitable 
kind of wood to use. A simple arch can easily be made by 
anyone who can use a saw and hammer. Galvanized arches 
are objectionable from two points of view. First, because of 
their conspicuous appearance, and, secondly, on account of 
their tendency to injure the delicate shoots and plants trained 
over them. If they must be used, give them a couple of coats 
of a neutral green paint before fixing. Iron arches are equally 
objectionable so far as the growth of these plants is concerned. 
They get too hot in summer and too cold in winter. Wooden 
arches, and especially those constructed of Bamboo canes, 
are on the whole best for the growth of plants. See 
Fig- 25. 
Arbours or Summer Houses. — An arbour is a nook 
of simple construction, formed of a few larch, ash or oak 
branches at the side and across the top, with a seat for one or 
more persons inside. The more rustic and informal it is 
made the better. Its object, like that of an arch, is to sup- 
port climbers such as Clematises, Jasmines, Honeysuckles, and 
Rambling Roses, and when well covered with these it forms 
a pleasing feature in the garden. It should not be built in 
a too prominent place, but in some secluded corner where 
shade from hot sun and quiet retirement can be obtained. 
A summer house is usually a structure of a more elaborate 
kind, built with fancy woods on the outside, lined with match- 
board inside, and thatched with straw or heather. Figs. 
2 a and 22 show two charming types of artistic summer- 
houses, both thatched with heather and embowered in 
beautiful hardy creepers, such as Roses and Clematises. 
Fig. 21 also illustrates a pretty simple arbour clothed with 
Clematises and Jasmines, and forming a delightful shelter 
for a garden seat. Such examples are far more fitting 
for features in the garden beautiful than tihe crude struc- 
tures usually offered for sale. 
