COTTAGE DWELLINGS IN VARIOUS STYLiES. 73 the thickness of the plate. A second, s, is called the low ridge plate, and has two of its sides turned up, and the otlier two turned down. The third, t, is the high ridge, or cap plate, having all its sides turned down, and formed with an angle in the middle, so as to slope each way of the roof. This roof may be made very flat, so much so, that, for a house twenty feet wide, the height of the roof in the middle need not exceed two feet. No boarding is required, but the plates, fig. 122, «, may rest without either cement or nails, on the rafters, v. The appear- . „„ ance may be considered massive and handsome, fig. 123 ; and it is evident, from the manner in which the plates overlap each other, as shown in figs. 123 and--^ 124, that there can be no risk of inconvenience from contraction or expansion. If a number of buildings were to be erected, it might become worth while to have plates cast on purpose for hips and angles, so as to com- plete pavilion roofs on ,===—-, the same principle. "'I - — - "^ 'Ul ■ ■ ■ ■'■^"* Probably, also, tiles, especially of the terro- ^^ — _ ,■ - metallic kind, manu- P factured from a stra- tum of clay almost peculiar to Staffordshire, might be formed of the same shapes as these plates, and be found strong enough, after burning, to serve as substitutes for cast-iron. 154. The Garden contains about two roods and a half, and is divided into four large compartments, w, w, w, w, for the usual four course rotation ; there are several smaller compartments, viz., x, x, for grass plats surrounded by flowers ; y, y, for strawberries ; and z, z, for gooseberries, currants, and raspberries. The boundary fence is a hedge, which, in suitable climates, may be formed of figs ; in more northern latitudes, of apples, quinces, or plums ; and in cold, ex- posed situations, of sloes, elders, services, or moun- tain ash. The fruits of the sloe, and the berries of the elder, are valuable for wine, and those of the service and mountain ash afford an ex- cellent spirit. The three last named trees must never be clipped, otherwise they will produce but few blos- soms. Whenever a cot- tager has the power of choosing the sort of hedge which shall surround his garden, he may, in all cases, if he chooses, render it productive of useful fruit ; for every climate has its fruit shrubs, and its low edible fruit-bearing trees. It must always be recollected that the ground inside of the fence being under garden cultivation, and well manured, it would be a pity to let any part of this enriched soil be exhausted by barren trees or shrubs. Even where a powerful fence is required, by planting a double row of hedge plants, the outer one of thorns, and the inner one of fruit shrubs, the riches of the soil will not be altogether lost. 155. General Estimate. Cubic contents, 1,089 feet, at 6d. per foot, £272:55.; at 4tf., £181 : 10«. ; and at M., £136 : Is : Qd. 156. Expression. It must be confessed that this, though a substantial looking dwelling, which promises not to be without comfort within, has nothing elegant in its appearance. If it has any character of style, it is that of the Scotch stone cottage, and it might very fitly form a pair with Design VII. What can be done to render such a cottage elegant? A veranda might be added, more especially if it were roofed with glass, otherwise, it would darken the windows. The chimney top might also be enriched by ornamental chimney pots. The greatest improvement would be a substantial porch, fig. 125, which would add to the
