The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-09

not wanted OF course the first neces-
sity IL the roof and In their original state
few houses are so rooted as TO be prop
erly adapted 70 become foundations Tor
gardens OF the sort referred to.
Money and skill however. have RENE
died this defect and with the coming
Of the warm, moonlight nights, when
the air Is soft and charged with caloric
sufficient to cause one almost 10 steam.
Il Will be possible for many persons 10
mount the stairs 10 their own roofs and
there enjoy much OF the comfort that
has heretofore been theirs only upon the
payment OF the price OF admission
HOW TO ARRANGE.
These fashionable roof gardens are
fitted with an oak flooring carefully oil
ed. over this are stretched rugs. pre-
ferably OF the japanese sort Dame
Fashion has an economical streak this
year. and so IL IS not considered good
form 20 use expensive rugs for this pur-
pose
Tho sides OF the roof-rardens should
be. according 70 the generally adopted
plan three and a half feet high. with a
double row Of what the steamship peo-
pie call port holes all around.
This permits a clear sweep OF air from
the side, and thus this fence or railing
does not cause any diminution Of the
circulation Of the air Extending up
ward from the top Of this railing there
are "A series of poles six feet in length.
These are used as stanchions for the
outer edge Of the awning that Is above
its curtain. Extending I'm V-shaped
form from the poles of each rail TO a
central point above the garden is a light
frame work of steel and along the ridge
pole Of this is fastened the upper edge
OF the awnings.
BY q very ingenious arrangement the
awnings may be rolled either up or down
That *. they can he rolled up TO and
fastened at the ridge pole. or rolled down
20 where the steel framework meets the
uprlghts or stanchions and fastened
there.
The curtains o.. this awning are Of SUI
fcient length so that II necessary they
can be lowered and fastened TO the rail
at a point that would enable the Tar-
Elephants IN an entertainment that might
be going on TO remain upon tho roof II
passing storm should send a small de-
LUCE down an their direction.
The awning can hr rolled up IN n worry
small compass when II IS not needed
and In This way VIII give all the pro-
lection required without being in any
way an inconvoniercc
MAZE IT NATURAL.
The fittings Of the garden-that Is. those
which are sunnoscd 20 ifnpart an APP
pearance OF natural groWth-are not re-
strlcted 20 any iron-clad list. I'm fact,
Il Is expected the owner will. in this par
ticular. demonstrate his or her own good
taste II Is likely 10 cause no little
strife IN New York this summer among
the swell ay-at-homes. as 10 which
shall have the most picturesque roof gar
den. viewed purely from a natural stand
point. The idea Will be TO avoid the ar
tihcial I'm appearance as much as condi-
lions and surroundings will permit. the
more natural the appearance the greater
the tribute 20 the owners good taste.
All this means increased custom for the
florist and perhaps an additional distri-
button OF ready money.
or course. a great deal depends upon
the size OF the garden. There Is one
house on Fifth avenue whose owner has
made millions IN street-car lines and sue
ssssol spsOslA-daA and whose name u