Its uses are infinite.  It may serve to connect the architectural lines of the house with garage or other smaller building.  It may lead from house to garden, or along an overlook walk along the river or lake.  It may encircle a garden pool or an important statue.  It can be made an approach to a band stand, or other park building.  It will make part of the garden background, but should not be depended upon without the higher foliage so eminently desirable.

[Illustration:  A garden pergola erected last summer on clients’ grounds south of Lake Harriet, Minneapolis—­covering walk from house to garden, sixty five feet long.]

Do not make the mistake of expecting a pergola to serve as a porch or outdoor place to sit or sleep.  One needs the roof of a tea house to keep off the evening dews or occasional shower.  It cannot be made a large feature of the grounds like a garden.  It is not important enough.  It will not, without trees and high shrubs behind it, make any background as will a garden wall or lattice.  It is no barrier along a street or of any use as a fence or division line.  And sometimes the lines of a house or building may be better carried by a rose arch or vine arch without the expense of a pergola.  Thus you see it has its limited place, and its use must be decided upon with good taste and judgment.

The pergola is almost incomplete without the growing vines on it.  A four years’ growth of Beta or Janesville grapes (which we don’t have to lay down for winter), will give one a beautiful showing of the hanging fall fruit.  The bittersweet is also good with yellow fall fruit.  The several varieties of clematis are desirable if combined with the heavier growing grape or woodbine.  The woodbine is good for its fall color, although weedy in growth.

The Minnesota honeysuckle should be mentioned, also the Dutchman’s Pipe and the Solanum, all good in a limited way.  The climbing roses are all right to use, although they lack foliage background and have to be laid down every winter.  However, I like to believe the man who designed the first pergola had the grape vine in his mind in so doing, for the two fit conditions like hand and glove.

It is a structure of charming possibilities.  Its lines curve as well as any other feature.  Its proportions should be always light and graceful.  It adds much to almost any garden or home grounds when carefully used.  Its open work overhead typifies the freedom of the outdoors.  It also recalls the vine and its growth to the light.  And if we temper our enthusiasm with good sense, its use will be fortunate and the result a happy one.

Packing and Marketing Apples.

H. M. DUNLAP, PRES.  ILL.  ORCHARD CO., SAVOY, ILLS.

The growing of apples is one problem, the marketing is another.  The two are intimately related but entirely different.  It is essential in obtaining the best results to first grow good apples for the market.  This, like the darkey’s receipt for rabbit soup, comes first.  The darkey says, “first kotch your rabbit.”