HOUSE AND GARDEN 
July; 
1912 
most ingenious and at the same time sim¬ 
ple treatments possible for informal steps 
is shown in an accompanying cut and was 
contrived by the gardener on the estate 
where it occurs. It is on a steep hillside 
thickly planted with wild roses and wood¬ 
bine. The steps are single pieces of 
quarry-faced native stone of convenient 
length imbedded in the ground without 
cement or any kind of foundation, their 
own weight being sufficient to keep them 
firmly in place. A curb is made of smaller 
stones set upright. The ascent is made in 
several flights and the lowest flight rises 
from a grass walk and springs at one side 
from the end of a rock retaining wall in 
the crevices of which all manner of plants 
are blooming. In the wide apertures be¬ 
tween the steps masses of trailing plants 
have taken root and soften all crudities so 
that the steps seem not the intentional 
work of man but rather the chance work 
of Dame Nature. When we come to 
speak of the materials for our garden 
steps it must be confessed that brick and 
stone are the only two completely satis¬ 
factory substances. Of both there are so 
many varieties that suggestions for their 
employment might be given even to weari¬ 
ness and yet the tale be not half told. It 
is best therefore to leave to taste and ex¬ 
pediency the settlement in this respect. 
Dovecotes 
(Continued from page 21) 
dryness is to have the cote at a sufficient 
elevation and with ventilation enough to 
get a good circulation of air. Little hoods 
over the openings will keep out driving 
rains without interfering with air circu¬ 
lation. In large cotes in separate struc¬ 
tures it is better to use only the upper 
portion for the birds when they are sure to 
be dry and devote the lower parts to stor¬ 
age purposes or tools. 
In style, material and manner of con¬ 
struction there is wide scope for variety 
of treatment. The dovecote may be a 
tower-like structure of brick, stone or 
wood and of any capacity desirable. As 
shown in the illustrations it may, and in 
fact ought to, possess grace of propor¬ 
tion and architectural comeliness. The 
unbroken wall spaces afford ample field 
for the most diverse methods of dealing 
with textures in masonry or timber and 
the application of ornament. In the dove¬ 
cote at St. Germain-de-Livet the field of 
the wall has been chequered in brick. 
Where dovecotes of this type are con¬ 
structed, the walls within from top to bot¬ 
tom, or such distance from the top as may 
be desired, are lined with nests which 
must be reached by a ladder. At Ango 
a ladder is fastened to horizontal sup¬ 
ports revolving about a central pivot in 
the middle of the building. 
Ordinarily a much smaller dovecote will 
not only suffice but is preferable. The 
I T'S the catalog you want if you want to know 
the really important things to know, before putting 
your money in a greenhouse. 
Any greenhouse you buy will unquestionably give you a deal of 
pleasure, but some will most certainly give you more than others, 
simply because they are planned better, built better, and equipped better. 
Naturally we feel our houses to be better than others. This catalog, 
“Hitchings Greenhouses,” both shows why—and tells why. 
Send for it and look thoroughly into both whys — then make your decision. 
Address your letter direct to our main office at 
Elizabeth, N. J. or call at the New York branch 1170 Broadway 
Simple in 
construction and 
design, 
artistic in 
effect. 
Ik 
MADE BY LEAVENS 
C.LEAVENS FURNITURE appeal, to all per¬ 
sons of limited or unlimited means, who appreciate 
good taste displayed in their surroundings. 
C, When buying of us you have practically an un¬ 
limited stock to select from. In an ordinary store 
stock of furniture, the taste and judgment of the 
“buyer” is exercised first, and you see only such 
pieces as were selected by him. With us, you have 
not only the whole output of a factory to select 
from, but in addition you have the choice of a 
large variety of finishes. 
C The idea of allowing the purchaser to select a 
special finish to conform to the individual taste, is 
original with us and has resulted in many satisfied 
customers. We also furnish unfinished. 
Send for complete set No. 4 of over 200 
illustrations, including color chart of Leavens 
Standard finishes. 
WILLIAM LEAVENS & CO. 
Manufacturer* 
32 CANAL STREET, BOSTON, MASS. 
For the homes 
of the 
discriminating, 
at a 
moderate cost. 
In writing to advertisers please mention House and Garden. 
