House and Garden 
wooden frame and covered with metal lath. We say 
metal lath, for rarely can a satisfactory job be secured 
when cement is used on wooden lath. The cement 
sets quickly, causing the lath to buckle, thus loosen¬ 
ing tbeir fastenings. Various finishes may be given 
the final coat of stucco to meet the taste of the archi¬ 
tect or desire of the owner. To obtain a smooth sur¬ 
face, finish under the wooden float. If a rough or 
sand finish is wanted use the burlap or carpet covered 
float. Where a “spatter-dash’’ finish is desired the 
final coat is thrown on with a trowel or a large stiffi- 
fibered brush, while a “pebble-dash” finish is 
obtained with a final coat of one part Portland 
cement, three parts coarse sand and pebbles not 
over one-fourth inch in diameter thrown on with a 
trowel. The stucco form of construction has lent 
itself readily to the development of the so-called 
Mission style of architecture, which is particularly 
prevalent on the Pacific Coast where the Jesuit and 
Franciscan padres first established their missions, 
building their places of worship and their dwellings 
of sun-dried bricks and covering tbe walls carefully 
inside and out with a mortar made of hydraulic lime, 
which in time became very hard and impervious to 
water. I his hydraulic lime seems to have been not 
unlike that used by the early Romans in their con¬ 
crete work. Another method of construction is to 
cast the concrete into blocks and lay up the entire 
wall of them just as stone would be used. Ihe 
blocks are cast with apertures through them, which 
when placed one above the other, provide the air 
space required. I he face is moulded to represent 
the several finishes of stone such as rock-faced, ham¬ 
mer-dressed, cut stone, etc., producing, when laid 
up, the coursed or random effects as may he desired. 
The architectural features of the old Missions as a 
rule are marked by a restraint and freedom from 
ornamentation which is most satisfying. In a few 
instances, however, the designs were more ambitious 
and elaborate. In all cases tbe execution of the work, 
the facilities at hand being considered, seems to be 
beyond criticism. The long series of arches of the 
ambulatories, the buttressed walls, the low belfries 
in some, the pierced facades in others, all bespoke 
a high order of artistic feeling and a keen apprecia¬ 
tion of picturesque values. The roofs being covered 
with heavy half round red tile and the exterior walls 
being washed with white or a soft yellow, made the 
group of buildings landmarks for miles around, while 
the glint of the sunlight from the gilded cross set high 
above the most elevated gable or tower, flashed out 
to the bands of natives that beautiful message of 
“Peace” which had been for centuries traveling to 
the ends of the earth, and which was for the first time 
reaching them in a manner they could more readily 
comprehend and appreciate. 
Such were the Missions. To form from this 
material a style of residential architecture without 
grafting on it features and details of varied and 
ornate character was hardly to be expected. Hence, 
in the designs which have been evolved by the archi¬ 
tects of the West we find houses of the “Mission 
Style” with the detail and feeling of Spain, Mexico, 
Italy, France or far-off India, as the fancy of the 
owner or architect may have dictated, or the 
environment may have suggested. How correct all 
this may be from a technical or an esthetic view-point, 
we leave others to discuss. 
Our purpose has been to show to the prospective 
builder, the possibilities in this beautiful style of 
house by presenting examples of what has already 
been done along these lines. The illustrations show 
houses of great variation in cost, showing that in 
that respect at least it is an elastic proposition. 
A SMALL HOUSE NEAR LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. STUCCO ON METAL LATH 
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