Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-14
SWINGING HAMMOCKS
GREAT VARIETY ON THE MARKET
70 CHOOSE FROM.
A Canopy Netting, Air Pillows and
Other Useful Access
series.

I'm shady hooks by summer brooks" Is all
very we'll to quote, but is not rule Of
any practical use in deciding upon a COM
Portable retreat Naturally the most pic
turesque spot in the nefghborhood Is the
one favored for the outdoor hammock, and
to secure the services OF the cooling
breezes the southwest side Of the house is
most desirable. The north side Is the one
least likely to be visited by balmy winds,
and should on that account be sedulously
Stunned.
Another point to be considered is the
availability OF shade. Some positions are
protected only for little while in the
morning, some only for a portion of the
afternoon. Unless the hammock can be
shifted with the passage of the sun, even
a location on the southwest side or the
house may become undesirable. Shifting a
hammock is a good deal of trouble, unls SS
the swinging net is put up by means of
hooks and staples, and even then one set
of these driven into fence or post is about
all any householder cares to be RESPONSE
bic for. Therefore in locating the ham
mock outdoors consider Just where it will
get the maximum Of shade. On lawns
where no shade is to be had some persons
erect the hammock frame underneath an
awning stretched from four stout up
rights.
If there happens to be on the premises a
1eafy maple, by all means choose it as the
liable shade and is not overrun with obnoX-
ious insects. Under some trees it is dan
gerous for drowsy members of the family
to open their mouths in healthy snore.
Shun Parasites.
Some trees should be Stunned vigorously,
particularly fruit trees, which are apt to
be covered with parasites. In the fall pines
are Objectionable because Of the showers
of needles they sc alter everywhere.
While a sheet of water is picturesque as
a location for the hammock, insects par
ticularly mosquitoes and gnats, are likely
to cause annoyance. There Is very often
faint OF malaria about SUCH situation,
and 1t should be borne in mind that the
human frame is never more susceptible to
disease than when locked in slumber.
When putting up the hammock. consider
by whom 1t is to be most used. If by chill
dren, swing it near the ground that they
may climb in and out with ease and swing
1t back and forth as they love to do. Chill
dren seldom stretch out at full length in a
hammock, as their elders are fond Of doing,
but perch half a dozen of them in row,
and, giggling and joking, sway to and fro
like row of sparrows on a telegraph wire.
The best hammock for children Is the
strongest one. woven pillow is not ad-
visable, for the child who gains the pillow
end of the hammock is certain to be the
envy Of his companions, and quarrels are
apt to ensue. Neither are highly colored
weaves of net to be commended, for II the
colors come Off, as they sometimes do even
with high-priced hammocks there is danger
of the youngsters getting poisonous pig
ments into their mouths, to say nothing
OF disfguring their clothing.
A Netting Unnecessary.
One of the most cruel infections to which
infants subjected by thoughtless parents
is the afternoon nap in the hammock I'M
protected by. a canopy of netting. The lit
-.
gnats and flies that trouble even the short
maps which it is possible to snatch under
such discouraging conditions.
Hammocks do not differ greatly from
those Of last year. The newest styles are
colored in delft blue and white or wood
green and white. These are the faShiona
BILE shades for summer furnishings.
Below the hammock a rug Of Japanese
or Chinese make should be spread This
prevents the gnats directly underneath
from rising to feast upon the intruder.
Wood green hammocks are much to be pre-
ferred to the glaring red ones that some
people so much admire, for the green fits
unobtrusively into the tones of landscape.
There is something else about this shade
which the summer girl would do well to re-
member-her complexion will never show
to such advantage g against a background
of cool green. Nature in that color has
provided an excellent foil for all things
beautiful There Is something about 6eep
green that accentuates the rose and white
Of good complexion, while the livelier tones
brighten even a fading one. Besides this,
it is a restful color, and a white-robed wo-
man, even If her claims to beauty are very
meager, never makes a more charming pic
ture than when swung in Ame leafy nook
in a pretty hammock Of rustic green.
Graceful Draperies.
Draperies are not essential to a ham,
mock, but they add much to it's appearance.
Stretched at full length in its netting. the
human form is not always graceful, but
the valances at the sides serve to hide its
angles from critical glances.
A useful accessory Of the hammock is the
air pillow. 1t does not become damp and
soggy from exposure to the atmosphere, nor
do troublesome insects make Of 1t a tempo
rary abiding place. Cushion covers should
be selected with regard to the use to which
they are to be put. Outdoor ones ought to
be covered with denim, linen, wash silk or
muslin; plain covers which are framed in
short frills are good enough for the pur-
pose.
The newest pillows are decorated with
appliqued designs, the most fashionable of
these representing colonial figures.
Besides the hammock. a rustic table In
wood brown or green is a picturesque and
useful accessory 1t will serve to hold the
book when the lotus eater in the swing is
too drowsy or too weary to support 1t long
err. On this stand bowl of cold lemonade,
or perhaps stronger cordial for the mas
ter Of the house is placed conveniently
within reach.
Varieties on the Market.
Nobody now buys the ordinary net ham,
mock. The more deliberately woven ones,
with battens or extenders, are used except
by camping parties, who prefer the ham,
mock which can be packed into the small
est compass. The woven pillows attached
to the head are not always comfortable
and they are apt to lose their elasticity and
become hard and uncomfortable. The
homemade pillow is. after all, the best for
comfort. Linen. cotton, hemp, so-called
grass ones and fiber hammocks are the or
binary qualities. One variety made Of
bands Of cane or bamboo Is both cool and
comfortable. 1t is perfectly fiat and may
be made sumptuous and comfortable by the
addition of rug and soft pillows. Some
hammocks are supplied with woven pillows
and have adjustable spreaders to be used
at the feet. 5;5
Remember that the hammock should be
taken in the house at night and when it
rains, for the fibers long retain the damp
ness. When it Is not thought worth while
to adopt such precautions be sure to select
a quality and color that will not be ruined
with the first dewnpour.