8 HOW TO PLAN THE HOME GROUNDS 



will readily permit, since the maximum effect is in this 

 way produced in the shortest time, and variety and seclu- 

 sion obtained in a year or two on an ordinary flat place. 



It might seem at first that the presence of woodland 

 on a lot of ground would make it more valuable for 

 establishing home grounds. The shade and natural wild- 

 wood effect doubtless constitute a desirable attraction, 

 but even woodland has its decided drawbacks. We may 

 lie on the turf and enjoy the densest shade, for we will 

 readily catch lovely glimpses of the blue sky and flicker- 

 ing sunbeams, but it will be most of the time damp, 

 the grass will be sparse, and instead of young trees 

 and shrubs will spring up brambles and briers. The 

 engrossing presence of the woodland will also tend to de- 

 stroy that simplicity and breadth that we ought to value 

 so much on home grounds, and surely its sombre monotony 

 of general effect will be apt to mar the place's cheerful- 

 ness and variety. It is, moreover, a positive advantage 

 to be able to set out all trees and shrubs freshly in the 

 beginning, for we shall secure thereby more exactly the 

 effect we are seeking, and the time will be comparatively 

 short before the desired effect is obtained. This may 

 seem contrary to the general view of seeking a place 

 which will have trees, houses, rocks, all ready made as 

 it were ; but the kind of place on which a home can be 

 best made exhibits originally few incidents of house, 

 trees, or rock, and as few variations of its surface and 

 boundaries as possible. Like a blank page of a book, it 

 will then be ready to receive the full and unrestricted 

 inditement or depiction of the ideas of its owner. 



One of the most important practical considerations, 

 and one that should have much weight in the selection of 

 home grounds, is the Quality '^f the soil. A dry sandy 



