Laying Out a Square Garden . 15 
were impatient and got a stick from the heap that 
was piled up for pea-sticks, and cut it with a 
straight hook to it, just at the end. But that may not 
r __ 
answer, as they are apt to be dry and rotten. The 
proper thing is to hunt out a proper ash-stick, one 
of those nice supple shoots which spring up from 
a root, and then cutting it off just where it springs 
out with a nice curve from the root, we use the 
curve of that for the best hook possible. Most 
boys, and perhaps some girls, know where to get 
such sticks ! 
This stick can be tied at one end to the gate, so 
that it can be raised and hooked into the loop — 
and then you see your gate is quite secure. It has 
also a charmingly rustic look. 
But I have not yet told you how to make the 
arch. 
For this we should begin with four stoutish 
posts driven firmly in at the corners. (Two of 
these must be used, you know, for the gate-posts.) 
Having hammered these in very tightly, and 
perhaps got one of the gardeners to give a good 
thump at the top of each, we must get some nice 
