46 HOW TO PLAN THE HOME GROUNDS 



just because it is refined, escaped observation, and that 

 is why the author places the lawn next in importance to 

 the house. Indeed, the arrangement of trees and shrubs 

 performs its special office when it serves to develop and 

 heighten the attractions of the lawn. When one thinks 

 of the true function of the lawn, the vision arises of a 

 masterly painted canvas whereon are depicted moving 

 cloud shadows, waving grass, rich patches of dark and 

 light green, studded with the starry radiance of the 

 humble flora of the grass, and the hundred incidents of 

 blazing or subdued color and form that appear on the 

 surface of an open meadow. 



The outline and variegated boundary and frame of all 

 this loveliness is the trees and shrubs, the varied masses 

 of which serve to emphasize and reveal the most evasive 

 charms of the territory. The concealment of the roads 

 and walks by various tree and shrub devices seems the 

 more necessary the longer we contemplate the special 

 beauty of the lawn, and feel the less fine quality inherent 

 in roads, which have value mainly because roads are nec- 

 essary for the proper enjoyment of the place. 



It is around and about the house that the open expanse 

 of lawn performs its most important function (see 

 page 47), lending such dignity and effective presence to 

 the building that, unless some special peculiarity of the 

 ground prevents, it is the lawn that secures the most 

 admirable and rational setting for the house. For a 

 similarly deduced reason, on comparatively flat terri- 

 tory, the erection of the house on a lawn rising partly 

 in terrace shape gives the home a distinction that adds 

 greatly to its attractiveness. The use of the terrace 

 effect needs handling with extreme skill and care. The 

 proportions, shape, and construction of terraces, formal 



