HOUSE AND GARDEN 
53 
January, 1915 
Cost, Texture and Design in 
Roof Planning 
(Continued from page 34) 
course is?more expensive, but worth the 
difference in the resulting mellowness and 
richness. 
And now we are confronted with the 
subject of roof design in relation to ma¬ 
terial and texture. There is an insepa¬ 
rable and inviolable connection between 
the design of the roof and the design of 
the rest of the fabric, a connection and es¬ 
tablished fitness that none but a madman 
would dream of transgressing, even did 
structural conditions admit of such action. 
While conforming thoroughly to all archi¬ 
tectural canons, there is, nevertheless, end¬ 
less opportunity for originality in the 
treatment of roof design, just because of 
this large liberty, one or two final cautions 
seem not amiss to ponder over. Do not 
set too much store by the pictorial aspect 
of the roof lines. Attractive skyline is an 
important feature and available asset, but 
it should be achieved as the logical out¬ 
come of well-proportioned plan. It is im¬ 
possible to create a beautiful body upon a 
bad, misshapen skeleton. So, also, is it 
impossible to design a really well-massed 
house with a good and fitting skyline, that 
will stand the test of searching criticism 
from all points of view, unless sound and 
reasonable plan be the underiving basis 
governing all considerations. 
Architect and Client 
(Continned from page 21) 
naturally causes the owner to worry; but 
it is so in every business to-day. The effi¬ 
ciency of the contractor is not under the 
architect’s control; that is unfortunately 
determined by selecting the lowest bidder 
in some cases. 
The contractor is employed by the own¬ 
er to execute a contract through the archi¬ 
tect, who acts as the owner’s agent, but 
without any impartiality. The completed 
plans are usually given to five contractors 
for competitive bids, and usually the con¬ 
tract is given to the lowest bidder. If the 
five bidders are equally reliable, this is a 
safe method; but if two of the five are, 
perhaps, men who do a cheap class of 
work, their bid may be ridiculously low 
compared to the others. Sometimes the 
low bidder discovers after starting the 
work that he has figured too close to the 
cost to perform the work as required with 
any profit to himself. This mistake is 
likely to cost him several hundred dollars, 
and he will, of course, endeavor to save 
this amount wherever he can see an oppor¬ 
tunity, unless the architect observes every 
deficiency and has it corrected. There¬ 
fore, it is customary to insert in the speci¬ 
fications this clause: “The owner reserves 
the right to reject any and all bids,” so, if 
lie wishes to, he can advise that the con¬ 
tract be awarded to the next lowest bidder,, 
or to the man whose ability and reputation 
are the best. 
Formerly Kewanee Water Supply Company 
122 South Franklin Ave., Kewanee, Illinois 
Branch Offices—New York and Chicago 
20000 Users Recommend 
W HEREVER running water is 
needed from the smallest farm 
house to the biggest country 
estate, Kewanee Systems give the 
best satisfaction. The Kewanee is 
the original air pressure system, 
supplying an abundance of water 
under strong pressure for bathroom 
—kitchen—laundry—garden - — gar¬ 
age-barns and stock. Excellent fire 
protection. No elevated tanks. Any¬ 
body can operate. All expert work 
done at the factory. Kewanee is a 
complete and compact system. It is 
“Kewanee plant installed in 1910 — never one 
particle of trouble and is most satisfactory.” 
—T. F. Hudgins, R.R. No. 10, Indianapolis,Ind. 
real trouble-proof machinery for the inexperienced man and is ready for a life-time of 
good service as soon as the shipping crate is taken off. Do not be satisfied with a hasty 
collection of pipes, pump and tank thrown together on the job and "called” a system. 
The Kewanee System is the result of years of actual experience with water problems 
in every state of the Union. The cost is reasonable—from $45.00 upward, depending 
upon the capacity desired. Our dealers are high class mechanics and will install a 
Kewanee System, with our guarantee, to your entire satisfaction. 
Kewanee Private Utilities 
By use of Kewanee patented extended base, 
the engine which pumps the water can run 
the electric lighting plant, the washing 
machine, cream separator and churn within 
floor space of 6 x 10 feet. Get our advice 
for best grouping of your home power plant. 
like Public Utility Plants give every city com 
fort to the man in the country. The last 
objection to living in the country or on the 
farm has been removed by these successful 
Kewanee private utilities: 
Water Supply Systems 
Sewage Disposal Plants 
Gasoline Engines Electric Light Plants 
Gasoline Storage Plants 
Vacuum Cleaning Systems 
Send for Bulletins mentioning the 
subject you are interested in. 
r P U E C R A M N A H N fl E V N E T RED or GREEN ROOF 
AT A REASONABLE 
COST BY USING 
Hudson Asphalt Shingles 
Beautiful in appearance. They won’t 
rot or fade, being surfaced with crushed 
slate in its natural colors. No paint or 
stains required. Easy to lay, inex¬ 
pensive, suitable for any roof surface 
where Shingles can be used. Send for 
samples and Catalogue H. 
Asphalt Ready Roofing Co. 
9 Church St. New York, N. Y. 
In writing to advertisers please mention House & Garden. 
