ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE DESIGN 19 



ing spaces, and subsurface drainage looks out for 

 the draining of garden walks, tennis-courts, and 

 the conducting of surplus water to proper outlets. 



In considering the engineering features which 

 have to do with topographical reconstruction, sta- 

 ble bridges, and well-graded roads, all these prac- 

 tical considerations must be subordinated to the 

 esthetic ideal of the final appearance of the fin- 

 ished design. But if the practical considerations 

 are satisfactorily determined, they will actually 

 contribute to the beautiful solution of the prob- 

 lem. The esthetic side of the question cannot be 

 treated as an easily detached ornament quite apart 

 from any vital connection with the design. No 

 matter how useful a thing may be, we do not care 

 for it if it is ugly. Beauty is consequently the 

 vivifying influence, the most potent factor in de- 

 termining the design scheme. 



If the designer wdll keep in mind in a broad way 

 the subjects which have been classed in the prac- 

 tical and esthetic divisions of landscape, they will 

 be to him a rock of strength in solving his prob- 

 lems. Too often a petty insistence on details 

 makes one lose sight of higher, more important 

 things, and ruins a design which has great possi- 

 bilities for beautv. 



