For May, 1920 



179 



ro be the pre-eminent attributes of ^Ir. 

 John H. Dodds who, since 1906, has been 

 devoting his energies in sincere and con- 

 stant efforts to maintain the distinguished 

 standard of the grounds in his charge. 

 And as it happened, his services cover the 

 most progressive period in the long evo- 

 lution of Lindenhurst. Of the various 

 alterations and ground improvements en- 

 suing out of the erection of the new resi- 

 dential mansion there were many of im- 

 portance taxing the skill of the landscape 

 engineer and the talents of the decorator 

 ahke. 



During Fall, 1915, when it became 

 known that a rockgarden was going to 

 be introduced as a new feature on the 

 grounds of Lindenhurst it was the fore- 

 gone conclusion of the alert Philadelphia 

 craftsmanship to expect work accordant, with the tradi- 

 tional standard of the place and the discriminating per- 

 ceptions of natural beauty by its illustrious owners. The 

 locality decided on was a grassy slope running down to 



iKockgardcn nt "Lindenhurst" 'u'ltli pnnl. Miclsumnwr cffci't 



the edge of a path which led to the nearby spring and 

 liath houses. A huge deposit of rocks being available at 

 a comparatively short distance it was evident that even 

 at the extensive and elaborate building contemplated, the 

 total expense could be kept down on the 

 conservative base customary at Linden- 

 hurst. For assisting in solving the more 

 or less intricate problems of the construc- 

 tion Mr. Dodds secured the services of 

 the writer of this article. The crew of 

 laborers employed at the actual work of 

 building varied from 4 to 6 men and 

 the time required for both sections ap- 

 proximated the total of about thrci- 

 months. 



In rockgarden building f)n a large sea' 

 we must aim to adjust ourselves to tli^ 

 natural conditions of the ground. A: 

 Lindenhurst it was necessary to go : 

 step further, that is, endeavor in creatine 

 the illusion of our work being by natuir 

 an integral component of the landscapi 

 In such cases it remains for the builder 

 to be cogiiizant of the importance of an\ 

 existing rock formation confronted with. 



The illustrations depicting "Pocket 



Rockgarden at "Lindenhurst" six zveeks after pUmtiuii. 



Liuilding on a Steep (irade" and "Sample of Concen- 

 tration on the Summit'' represent solutions of problems 

 which in the pursuit of rockgarden building we fre- 

 (|uently are facing. In the design of the lower section 

 near the spring house the attempt to 

 reproduce the picturesque ruggedness 

 of some rock-strewn mountain recess is 

 plainly apparent. As features calculated 

 to add in total eft'ectiveness the building 

 of a miniature ravine and a pool at its 

 lower end may be mentioned. 



(Jbservant visitors of Lindenhurst are 

 often favorablx- impressed by the beauty 

 of evergreen effects both as undergrowth 

 in thinly wooded sections and as decora- 

 tive embellishments along the outskirts. 

 In naturalizing rhododendrons, azaleas, 

 nioimtain laurels and dwarfy conifers 

 of the spreading kinds of Mr. Dodds ex- 

 cels many of our landscape gardeners 

 of otherwise perhaps enviable reputa- 

 tions. Mastership in naturalizing is an 

 indispensable attribute for superior work 

 in rockgarden planting on a large scale. 

 .-Vt Lindenhurst the great divergence 

 in exposures demanded an intimate acquaintance with the 

 plant material as adapted for dry, sunny situations, 

 and again for semi-shaded and moist positions. More- 

 (Cuiitiiiiicd oil page 1(S4) 



m3rrj.Je^ii. 



Roekiiardeh tu i.nni, luiitrst." May elfect a year after eonslrueliou. 



