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for comfort but also for success with most plants. Height in any barrier is 

 certainly essential for some degree of privacy in the yard; but a fence may be 

 made high near adjoining houses and lower elsewhere, this variation in line being 

 turned to a decorative purpose. Additional height may be provided in certain 

 places by means of tall shrubs and trees of medium size. Arbors may parallel 

 the fences and open into the lawn, thus increasing the privacy of the outdoor 

 walks without materially affecting the lawn space. It is difficult to secure abso- 

 lute seclusion where adjoining houses are near, but so far as possible it is essential, 

 and such features may, in addition, contribute to the decoration of the yard. 



Whatever general arrangement is planned, the major part of the yard should be 

 kept clear and open, and this open space should adjoin the windows or doors, 

 thus serving as the main connection with the interior of the house. Cramped 

 quarters require an effect of space and openness, and space in this relation to the 

 house is most evident. Covered walks may, at times, be provided on one or both 

 sides, and these may afford an interesting diversion after one has left the house. 

 To look down such a walk from a minor window would, of course, not be uninter- 

 esting, but as a rule a small house does not have many openings into a yard, and a 

 view into the open must therefore be the first consideration. Likewise, for 

 occasional useful purposes and for recreation, space is needed immediately ad- 

 joining the house. 



It has been stated that the plan for this area cannot accomodate a great variety 

 of features, and that therefore the solution must lie in a few things well done. 

 It will be found most economical of space and attractive in appearance if the main 

 lines of the plan are drawn straight and parallel to the boundaries. Such plans 

 will appear artificial; so, also, would informal effects and efforts to produce "land- 

 scape gardens." The former, however, will look formal in some degree; but the 

 latter will look foolish. It should be remembered that these are city gardens, 

 and that therefore conventionality is more in character with their architectural 

 surroundings. The practical aspect of the use of straight lines appeals strongly 

 to the writer, for in his opinion, design for any purpose, in order to be good, 

 must also serve a useful end. Side boundaries may consist of flower borders, 

 hedges, or merely a garden of flowering vines climbing on the fence; in any case, 

 a single feature should be continuous along the greater part of the distance to the 

 back fence. With a feature of straight outlines extending toward the back fence, 

 the same distance will appear greater than if its outlines were curved, for simplici- 

 ty and a greater scale will thereby be expressed. 



Perhaps it is important to speak in some detail concerning the practical aspect 

 of the use of straight lines. To begin with, it is well to remember that the areas 

 with which one is dealing will average about forty feet in width. Assuming this 

 dimension, the walls or fences on the two sides will take up two feet. A heavy 

 growth of vines will occupy a like amount; and hedges, in the place of vines, re- 

 quire three feet each, and, when old, still more. A vine-covered fence behind 

 a flower border would, on one side, occupy a total of 10 feet. This is one-fourth 

 of the entire width; on the opposite side, accordingly, the minimum would be the 

 vine-covered fence, or, better, a tall, fine hedge to balance, in some degree, the 

 flower border. The lawn then left is but twenty-five feet wide. Now, were the 

 edge of the flower border to be given a wavy line, notwithstanding that the dis- 

 tance is short for the use of curves, and assuming the minimum width for flowers to 



