HOUSE AND GARDEN 
July, 19 ii _ 
pleted, there are some things to he at¬ 
tended to in the setting up of the dial. The 
stability has already been spoken of, and 
the next thing to do is to see that the dial 
is absolutely level or parallel with the 
plane of the earth. A good spirit-level 
will inform you of the slightest deviation 
from the true line and the dial should not 
become permanent until this is accom¬ 
plished. The gnomon should then be ex- 
ectlv at right angles to the dial face. When 
set in place, the twelve o’clock line should 
run in a vertical north and south plane, 
with the point of the gnomon farthest 
from the dial-face, pointing true north, not 
at the magnetic north. A compass will 
serve to set the dial if the magnetic dec¬ 
lination for the locality is known. 
If these conditions are complied with, 
the dial becomes a fairly accurate time 
keeper, but it is not absolute, for on only 
four days of the year, April 15th, June 
15th, September 2nd and December 24th, 
the sun time agrees with the clock time or 
mean time. The time equation, the mean 
between clock and sun time, found in the 
nautical almanac, can be used to correct 
the dial, and a scale of minutes to add and 
subtract made and attached to some part 
of the dial pedestal. As a time keeper for 
the garden, it serves its purpose well 
enough, for the greatset difference it is 
capable of is sixteen minutes, and when 
one considers that it goes for life without 
winding or setting, it may be considered 
just as true as many clocks and pardoned 
for the variation. 
A word on the location of the dial may 
be pertinent here. We often think of it 
as situated in the formal garden, but its 
use is by no means limited to that, al¬ 
though it fits so well there. Often the 
junction of two paths seems to fit it well. 
Whether in formal surroundings or in the 
ordinary garden, a background of dark 
foliage, rhododendrons or cedars, makes a 
beautiful situation for it and reflects its 
beauty and stateliness. When placed in 
the lawn, where it often appears to ad¬ 
vantage, low-growing plants sometimes 
look well at its base and seem to unite it 
and the surroundings. If a stone or tree 
stump is used for support, planting is nec¬ 
essary and pleasing. No vines or shrubs 
should be used to climb over the dial or 
render its approach and reading difficult. 
There always ought to be some favorite 
nook in the garden with a bench for rest 
or reading and an air of seclusion about 
it. The best loved flowers should be here, 
and here the sun-dial should preside. The 
thoughts that are associated with it, the 
sage advice of its motto and the sentiments 
it connotes should make such a retreat 
ideal when one wishes to withdraw into 
the spirit of the garden. 
When the dial has become part of the 
garden and the vines have grown about it 
and it seems to be as old as the time it 
marks, then will it be truly appreciated. 
Then the criticism that the use of sun¬ 
dials is a return to obsolete and supplanted 
objects, cannot hold. Besides, where is 
the clock that stands wind and weather 
49 
A June 
Suggestion \ 
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an important part during the 
month of brides and roses. 
NABISCO 
ices, frozen puddings 
tges, add the final touch 
nee and hospitality to 
every repast—simple or 
elaborate. 
in ten cent tins 
Also in twenty-five cent tins 
v NATIONAL BISCUIT 
X COMPANY y 
m 
■ 
Interior Decoration 
Furnishings of all kinds selected 
and arranged in the most up- 
to-date and attractive manner. 
Out-of-town orders carefully 
attended to. 
MISS THROOP-MISS VEERHOFF 
37 EAST 60th STREET NEW YORK 
Landscape Gardening 
/C A course for Homemakers and 
/LJjBBpjr'jN Gardeners taught by Prof. Craig 
/ an< ^ ■^ atc * le * or > Cornell 
1 Wjsgjfr |A§|\ Gardeners who understand up- 
1* to-date methods and practice are 
' a demand for the best positions. 
A knowledge of Landscape 
Gardening is indispensable to 
those who would have the pleas- 
Prof. Craig antest homes. 
250 page Catalog free. Write to-day. 
THE HOME CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL 
Dept. 216, Springfield, Mass. 
In writing to advertisers please mention Hojse and Garden. 
