Rustic Work
A term applied to erections or ornaments made of rough or undressed timber and other similar materials as nearly as possible in their natural state. Undoubtedly, the best examples are those that show the least mark of the workman's tools. The materials for Rustic Work are obtained from woods and forests, heaths and swamps, and vary in character and appearance, according to the locality in which they are found. As the unshapely block of stone or marble from the quarry becomes, in the hands of the sculptor or architect, a thing of beauty, so may the gnarled and knotted branch, and the decayed Pollard-tree, the slender Larch and the smooth Hazel, the Heather of the mountain and the moss of the fen, the Sedges and Reeds by the river-bank, and the exquisite cones of the Fir-tree, each and all, in the hands of one who has true taste, be manipulated into beautiful and useful adornments for our gardens. Much of the material for the work may be found on most estates, and often amongst that which is either consigned to the fire or allowed to perish where it stands. Where alterations or improvements are being made in grounds, especially on estates which are being cut up for building purposes, it often happens that there are old Apple, Pear, and other trees very suitable for the work, which have to be removed; or a Thorn or a Yew-tree, &c., may be uprooted by the wind, or timber is being felled, and from these much material may be selected.
Failing crooked and distorted branches and loppings, the thinnings from Oak and Larch plantations, and Hazel rods from the copse, can be used for the lighter portions of Rustic Work. Where old hedge-row "Pollards" abound, they form excellent material for ferneries or alpine mounds. The rough bark from Oak, Chestnut, Larch, &c., is useful, and so are defective trunks, or branches of large trees, cut into short lengths or transverse sections for paving floors; these sections may be laid in patterns, but are more effective when they vary in diameter, giving less formal effect than when they are of equal size. An old Thorn hedge that has been for many years clipped by the shears, supplies excellent material for the smaller articles, such as vases, flower-stands, tables, and baskets; and the cones of Firs are particularly serviceable for the same purpose. In cases where no suitable timber can be felled, it often happens that a judicious thinning-out of branches may take place without the least detriment or disfigurement to the trees. Heather may be collected, bound in bundles, and closely stacked some time before using, as it then makes a closer thatch; the same remark applies to Reeds and Sedges. There are various mosses to be found on heaths, and in swamps, plantations, woods, &c., which should be carefully collected, and kept as straight as possible, to be used either for simply filling up chinks and crevices to exclude draughts, or as fillings in carpet-like patterns for the inside of summer-houses. In using mosses for this purpose, if above a seat or bench, the moss-work should be kept above the head-line of persons when seated. Below that line, a lining of split Hazel rods, with the bark side outwards, worked in diagonal, diamond, or other patterns, may be used. For moss-work of this description, as well as for the Hazel patterns, a comparatively smooth surface must be provided as foundation. Sometimes, this is done by making the back, sides, and ceiling of a summer-house, of ordinary carpenter's framework and boarding, when the outside may be covered with coarse bark, or slabs with the bark preserved, and the inside covered with moss, &c. The same object can be attained by sawing longitudinally through the trunks of moderate-sized trees, the bark adhering, and then setting them side by side vertically, to form the surface on which to work the moss pattern. The cones of the Stone and Cluster Pines are particularly useful for forming cornices, caps, &c., to Rustic buildings, and the smaller cones of the Larch and Scotch Fir may be employed for festoons, and in forming the interior decorations. The disposition of Rustic Work, no less than its construction, requires an artistic eye and good taste. To speak in general terms, it should seldom come much "to the front"; that is to say, suitable positions for it will but seldom present themselves very near to the principal windows of a mansion-its place, for the most part, being in nooks and corners of shrubberies, plantation walks, the borders of woods, or in the wild garden. Let us imagine a situation, shut off from the more cultivated grounds. Such a position might have a Rustic gate flanked by a Rustic screen, on which Crataegus Pyracantha, or similar evergreens are trained; a broad, gravelled path, on each side of which are rustic arches, with here and there an arch thrown over the path, and covered with Roses, Honeysuckle, Jasmine, &c., forming a vista, at the end of which a Rustic summer-house, its porch or verandah covered with Clematis, could be placed. On either side of the main walk, a breadth of turf, with a ribbon scroll of Ivy, so designed as to afford suitable positions for Rustic baskets or pyramids might be added, and the whole surrounded by a densely-planted, raised bank, for effectual shelter from cold winds. On the face of the bank, next the garden, logs and blocks may be interspersed, to afford receptacles for Ferns, alpine plants, or trailing shrubs. Such a garden might be formed in any existing mass of shrubbery that is large enough for the purpose, and would be an interesting addition to many already fine gardens. With smaller gardens, and where the house has no particular architectural features, a Rustic verandah, with roof of tiles or shingles, covered all over with Jasmine, Roses, Honeysuckle, &c., often gives a particularly cosy appearance. If in front of this there is room for a gravelled walk, a kind of terrace, and the ground lends itself to the formation of a grass slope, with a step or two down to the lawn or flower-garden, here is a pretext for a Rustic balustrade, with vases and Rustic steps, which will, at the same time, form a trellis for the smaller kinds of climbing plants. At some point, just out of sight of the windows (and if commanding a view of some fine scenery, so much the better), the Rustic arbour or summer-house may be placed, having its seat and table. If backed by shrubs, it will have a more snug appearance, and if flanked or extended at the base by partially plunging a few rough logs in the ground, interspersing them with hardy, evergreen Ferns and spring flowers, the charm of the picture would be enhanced. Should a boundary fence anywhere cross the view, as in the division of the lawn from the park or paddock, it may be somewhat masked by placing a line of Rustic arches across, and allowing the climbing plants upon them to assume a somewhat careless growth. For such a purpose, good, sound Larch poles are useful, as they will stand for several years.
In places where there is a large expanse of lawn, with glades of turf and spreading trees, and masses of shrubbery, Rustic beds, formed like baskets, vases, and pyramids, are pretty objects, if placed with judgment, and are very effective if associated with Ivy or Ferns.
Rustic buildings, when substantially constructed, are very appropriate, and, as a rule, harmonise better with the scenery than any of a more formal character, when used as boat-houses, rests and shelters in woods, gamekeepers' huts, &c. Rustic Work is also well adapted to foot-bridges over small streams in gardens, parks, and woods. It is better, in order to make such structures more secure, to have a pair of iron girders concealed beneath the woodwork. The planks for the pathway should be of some durable wood without sap; otherwise, they may soon rot, and cause accidents.
Any pits or hollows that occur in shrubberies or plantations, if overhung by shrubs or large trees, will often present a suitable site for a fernery; and where natural stone does not abound for making rockwork, an excellent effect may be obtained by the use of sufficiently massive logs. Any steps that may be required can be made from split sections of good-sized trees, placing them so that the split side forms the tread, and the bark side the riser. The "tods" of old Pollard-trees, and even sections of hollow trunks, when placed in suitable positions in woodland walks or drives, make good receptacles for trailing plants, or the better kinds of hardy Ferns. In such walks, and also in parks, sections of rough timber (provided the top is smoothed and very slightly bevelled, so as to throw off the rain), when placed in twos and threes at the base of spreading trees, form agreeable resting-places. Care must be taken to have them of variable sizes, so as to avoid formality. The Rustic chair, as a rule more picturesque than useful, should be sparingly used, or at least only where apparently needed, and not too near the mansion, or in highly-dressed grounds.