56 HOW TO PLAN THE HOME GROUNDS 



duly apportioned place and not absorb the features of 

 the lawn. It should not be understood, however, that 

 precedent is to be undervalued here any more than else- 

 where, but it means that we should welcome suggestions 

 from all sources, ancient and modern, plucking from the 

 old masters that which is rational and good. We can 

 and must create, and never servilely copy. We are able 

 to do better work than has ever been done before, not 

 because we refuse to be enslaved by the rules and expe- 

 rience of other days and centuries, but primarily because 

 we have taken to heart the lessons Nature is giving us all 

 about us. 



The treatment of each subject, w^hether a suburban lot, 

 a park, or a large estate, according to the special condi- 

 tion of climate, country topography, etc., that exists — 

 this is our fundamental principle, and cheerfully w^e give 

 up all preconceived and cherished thoughts or theories 

 as to the exclusive beauty of design of the English, 

 French, or German traditional style. The conditions be- 

 longing to the house and the surroundings furnish just 

 the right data for inspiration and guidance. Why go 

 far afield for learned examples to copy? We accept 

 all right suggestions, but want no trammels of tradi- 

 tion. 



It is this simple instinct for the convenient and fitting 

 that makes the old colonial gardens of New England 

 homes such fine specimens, so nearly perfect in their 

 natural, home-like beauty. It is true, they seem entirely 

 unconscious of any excellence of artistic superiority. 

 They exist where they are, because they are convenient 

 to the house, and do not interfere with the other neces- 

 sary features of the grounds. The walks are bordered 

 with box^ because it is simple and pretty, and easily 



