THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK 



school urges the use of axes, straight hnes and geometrical curves 

 in making the pattern of paths, beds and planting. Others believe 

 in free curves, and groups or individual shrubs and trees, in the en- 

 deavor to work out interesting pictures composed on irregular bal- 

 ance as are the pictures of nature. Both are good, though irregular 

 balance is more difficult to achieve and is apt to look meaningless 

 for a long time. 



The simple old American way was to be guided by common 

 sense in a compromise between the two schools, using long, straight 

 paths and beds where they were easy to build ; hitching up the 

 slopes with stone walls if desirable. iVll was planted with glori- 

 ous masses of flowers. It was cozy and inviting from one year's 

 end to the other. And the more true the modern garden is to 

 American traditions the more sure we are to find that it is se- 

 cluded from the highway, convenient and practical to use and 

 maintain. Above all it is orderly in the relation of its varied 

 features. It may be in effect rather haphazard. But it shows 

 continuous thought and love for growing things. It is always 

 beautiful. 



The lecture was accompanied by a series of explanatory stere- 

 opticon slides. 



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