PROBLEMS 171 



nomic and the esthetic sides, each ^Yith its peculiar 

 function. 



The simple beauty of a well-kept lawn, with its 

 smooth texture, is too little appreciated for its ef- 

 fect in setting the house well back from the street, 

 and creating the idea of spaciousness which is 

 always desirable (Fig. 38). Too often the middle 

 of a fine stretch of grass is gmbbed up ruthlessly, 

 and the inevitable round bed of red geraniums or 

 Iving Humbert cannas introduced. Geraniums 

 and cannas are all very well in their place, but that 

 place is certainly not the middle of a lawn at the 

 front or the side of a house. It is this sort of mis- 

 take which is most frequently made. Things in- 

 teresting or beautiful in themselves are put in po- 

 sitions that minimize not only their own beauty, 

 but that of their surroundings. 



In designing the landscaping for a moderate- 

 priced American estate, the tastes of the owner 

 must be understood and his personal likes and dis- 

 likes weighed and scrutinized carefully, for the 

 house and grounds are his property, and should 

 not only appear to advantage, but ought to reflect 

 his taste as well. It must be admitted that it is 

 often necessary to educate the client's taste consid- 

 erably, but the results will justify the extra effort. 



