128 How to Lay Out Suburban Grounds. 



The landscape architect in Iiis position lias more problems 

 of revision than of original conception. Often the skilled man 

 will take the existing shrubs and objects upon the ground and 

 by rearranging them secure with but little expense a pleasing 

 and artistic treatment. A beautiful parlor may be spoiled by 

 the poor arrangement of the furniture or by using inharmonious 

 objects; so it is with the small suburban grounds. One advan- 

 tage in getting a professional man to look over one's grounds 

 is that he will see things that are inharmonious which l)y 

 constant daily observation has been blunted or removed from 

 the perceptions. 



In developing there should be a liberal amount of ])atience 

 used, for grass, trees, and shrubs are not subjects of man's will, 

 they must have time to grow. 



It is often a puzzle how to get or buy the plants. If a pro- 

 fessional adviser is not employed the best way is to make out 

 a list of the shrubs and trees desired and secure estimates from 

 reliable nurseries. Many nurseries issue illustrated catalogues 

 telling of the various plants, sometimes in glowing colors. 

 However, it is a good plan to secure some of these and peruse 

 them as a guide, but they are not to be followed blindly. They 

 often tell of the ultimate size of the plant, the soil, and cultural 

 requirements, the color and time of flowering, the summer and 

 fall effect of both foliage and fruit, besides telling the varieties 

 of plants that can be grown in the locality other than the 

 indigenous kinds. 



Thus is the beautiful in the home grounds obtained, the 

 ideal reached by prevision, determination, good work, and 

 patience. Never must the design, the arrangement, the desired 

 mass effect or the general conception be lost to mind, and 

 the use of materials be only for the development of the idea. 

 He that would attain unto any height must strive. There is 

 no royal road to beautiful grounds. 



