VI 



GARDEN DESIGN 



In a country where gardens are the exception 

 rather than the rule, it is disajDj^ointing to find that 

 the existing specimens are not always such as 

 would inspire a man to acquire one of his own. 

 There is either an unkempt riot of bloom or a mel- 

 ancholy severity that says **Keep off the grass" 

 much more pointedly than any sign. There is the 

 obvious love of display on the one hand, and the 

 l^assion for growing things on the other, that will 

 pay no attention to the selection of material. 



The American garden, mth, of course, many 

 well-kno^^Ti exceptions, is frequently thrust under 

 one 's nose, so to speak, and, as the show-part of the 

 estate, is given the most prominent position. The 

 idea is not noticeably present that privacy and soli- 

 tude are part of a garden's charm, and that the 

 desire for seclusion alone may lead to the acquir- 

 ing of a garden. 



It is to such a garden-lo\dng race as the English 

 that we must go to find out what gardens can really 



218 



