Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-07-12
THE BACK PORCH.
nv NARY ANNABLE rANToS.

In almost every house there are unreal
lied possibilities of comfort and beauty
hooks whose real significance has been
overlooked. Such a nook was the back
porch OF certain quiet country house
until it caught the attention OF women
with the seeing eye and the transforming
touch which amounts TO sort of every
day magic. After she took il in hand it
developed summertime hue as potent as
the attraction exercised by the wide
dining room fireplace in midwinter In
no other corner of the house would the
odd minutes of a busy day be spent with
such utter restfulness.
Almost every country and suburban
house has such back porch as this was
before It's transformation, either given
over to chickens and milk tins or adorned
stuiily with an unalluring chair or two.
And 1t needs but trihing expenditure of
time and money TO work the change.
In the instance | have in mind, the
kitchen gave access to one end of the
porch, while near The other end a door
opened from the sitting room. To shut
from sight the polished tins which hung
at the kitchen end OF the porch, light
wooden lattice was erected, cutting of the
rest OF the verandah from that purely
unitarian region. The trcllis was painted
cool dark green. A few cans Of the same
paint, at twenty cents a can, renovated
the floors and pillars OF the porch, and
brought the chairs into harmony. Then
roony hammock was swung, and small
square table added, with coat Of the
same green.
A Virginia creoper, which had been
neglected and required some trimming,
already held the southern end OF the
porch in Its cool embrace. Looking to
bloom and fragrance in the future, shoots
OF Halls honeysuekle, which climb to
twenty feet in the second year and flower
from June until late October, were planted
in addition. And in the meantime, more
immediate results were achieved by the
use OF moonaower vines. These are
grown in masses. When they biossomed,
their great clouds OF mystical white
flowers shimmering in the moonlight
added a magic even 10 the moonlit night.
There were just enough large elms
standing guard around the house TO give
It sense OF cosiness to the occupant OF
the hammock, seen in the Gerry moonlight.
Beyond these and the farther ouihouses
small but hurried stream wound its
course. Its voice on the still night was
like distant lullaby.
Later long 'verandah box was added
and painted to match the rest OF the
woodwork. In this box were PLANTED
geraniums, coleus, yinca major, as aragus
sproneri and Boston fern. beyond this
fact tina, during the heat Of the summer
they cali for q good deal Of Watering,
these plants require little care.
Once made attractive and snug, such
porch becomes sort OF outdoor room.
How intimate and cjinpsnionable are the
breezes that wander into its green
Swallowed recesses, how inviting its wide
leisurcly hammock, its cool deck chair,
its table offering you one of Ssockton's
whimsical romanees or the latest maya
ZINES In their summer attire.
There one may write or read or sew in
delighted comfort. There In the hottest
weather, luncheon may be served under
conditions TO revive the most wilted appe-
title. And there in the summer evenings,
the chances are that you win find the
whole family gathered TO talk and dream
and forget the heat of the day.
A few minutes work each morning will
keep the porch clean and free from dust.
The easiest and most effective way to do
this is 10 use warm borax water. Add a
of borax TO pail of water,
and apply to the floor with a floor mop.
If the chairs and tables are also OCCASION
ally wiped with borax water, the porch
will be as free from dirt and germs as
hospital ward.