ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 
Nature Notes: 
THE SELBORNE SOCIETT'S MAGAZANE. 
No. 220. 
APRIL, 1908. 
VoL. XIX. 
A HOUSE IN A WOOD. 
HY do people generally build houses in bare fields, or at 
any rate in open places with a few scattered trees? 
How few of us can hope to live lon^ 
enough 
to see 
planted trees become shady avenues, or shrubs develop 
into enchanting mazes ! 
When we bought a bit of ancient woodland, part of the 
Weald of Kent, our friends and relations thought us quite mad 
to think of building a house in it. Yet, in spite of whispered 
or open protests, we went our own way against conventional 
prejudices. 
We chose the south slope of a ridge crowned with tall pine 
trees. The undergrowth was chestnut and birch grown for hop 
poles, the soil sandy, the ground under the pines and in every 
open space covered with glorious heather. On three sides the 
land sloped rapidly into a tiny valley where spreading oak trees 
take the place of the higher-growing pine trees. Then the 
ground rises higher again, first thickly clad with trees, but on 
the higher slopes meadows, hop-gardens and orchards spread 
themselves round an old farmhouse. 
First we proceeded to cut the underwood ; the splendid long 
chestnut sticks, instead of being turned into hop poles, eventually 
made capital unobtrusive fencing with wire netting to keep the 
wily rabbit from the immediate vicinity of the house, and a space 
sufficient for the house and terrace was measured out, which 
obliged the sacrifice of a few pine trees. 
Our architect, an old friend, whose sketch- book I found full 
of picturesque Kentish farmhouses, entered into the spirit of our 
enterprise and evolved a cosy-looking two-storied cottage with 
gables, and a picturesque porch entrance supporting a tiny room; 
due south the deep-red tiled roof sweeps down and forms a 
spacious verandah, broken by roomy dormer window's. The 
whole exterior harmonizes deliciously with its rustic surround- 
