The Surroundings of the Farm Home 2059 



such outlooks should be left open in planting and not hidden by trees or 

 shrubs. One may determine just what space in the border must not be 

 planted by going to the window or the porch favored by the view, and may 

 from there direct the placing of stakes to mark the extent of what is inter- 

 esting in the distant view. The 

 space up to the stakes may be 

 planted, and the stakes removed. 

 On the other hand, there are likely 



to be unsightly objects in the dis- 

 tant outlook, which should be care- 

 fully screened by plantings. One's 

 own barnyard may be made 

 pleasant, so that it will not need 



i U U-JJ Fig. 213. THE OUTLOOK SHOULD BE STUDIED 



to be hidden. t/- ^- + ^ • «■ ^ . • ■ . u . 



It distant views afford pleasing pictures such out- 



In the immediate view of the looks should be left open 



yard the objects that should first receive attention are the necessary 

 features, such as driveways, walks, bams, large trees, and lawn space. 

 While these should be studied separately and individually, the relation 

 of each part to the whole must not be lost sight of. 



DRIVEWAYS AND WALKS 



Of all the objects in the immediate outlook walks and driveways are 

 most noticeable. Therefore, these should be as few as possible, and 

 should be short and direct. Naturally a driveway should be so crowned 

 and graded that it will not become muddy in wet weather, and the walks 

 should be so paved that they will give dry footing. No matter how well 

 a walk or a road is planned or constructed if its use is not plainly apparent, 

 it is ridiculous. 



Certain fixed points in the lines of roads and walks will determine the 

 courses they must follow. These points are: the entrances from the 

 highway, the doors of the house, and the location of bams and out- 

 buildings. The routes that may be taken between such points are, how- 

 ever, somewhat subject to choice. The contour of the ground must be 

 studied and also the positions of large fine trees that may seem to be in 

 the way of road lines. Roads, especially, must have easy grades, and all 

 these ways must be reasonably direct. Even so, roads and walks may 

 have graceful lines and curves. When distances are short, straight lines 

 are best; but where the terminal objects should be hidden, practicable 

 curved Hncs may be contrived. While the route naturally taken from 

 one place to another is usually a good basis on which to begin laying out 

 walks and drives, modifications can be devised, which will smooth out 

 inequalities of grade. Since the bare surfaces of roadways are always 



