12 



space, and is sure to detract from the appearance of the garden. A sufficiently 

 large private lawn may be accorded some degree of informality, and, in fact, 

 this is much to be desired. But a garden or a courtyard in close relation to the 

 house should partake of the character of the house. It is to be used as a room, 

 and it is therefore eminently reasonable to plan it as an outdoor room. 



As has been already stated, probably the simplest plan for this garden is a 

 rectangular area with a high enclosure, with unbroken turf or a pavement and, 

 decorated only with such furniture as may be necessary. If further decoration 

 is desired, some one thing should be featured. Walls may be decorated by de- 

 signs laid in the masonry; lattices may be plain and draped with vines, or they 

 may be more elaborate and have vines over them; hedges may have recesses cut 

 into them for flowering plants; or again, walls or lattices may be made garden- 

 like with flowering vines; but whatever the scheme of decoration adopted, a 

 single one should be sufficient. If a flower border is to be the decorative feature, 

 the walls of the enclosure should be planned as a neutral background. If 

 an arbor or a small summer house, however simple, is to be included, the design of 

 this architectural element should be so exceedingly refined in general proportions 

 and in detail that it may be an all-sufficient decoration. If there must be a 

 combination of decorative features, some one feature should predominate, and 

 the garden should not be elaborated beyond the degree suitable to the house and, 

 to the remainder of the property. For small properties, simplicity is best; and 

 it should be remembered, further, that only simplicity is consistent with dignity 

 and is expressive of refinement. Simplicity is also quite suitable for the more 

 elaborate homes. 



In the case of very small side yards (10 x 20 to 15 x 25 ft. or there abouts), it 

 is best to leave the main ground space unbroken. As space in the corners is of 

 the least importance, it is in this quarter that one may safely introduce tubbed 

 plants, or corner beds of flowers, or the like. Hence, as areas become larger, 

 the ground spaces that may be taken from the pavement or the lawn of larger 

 areas are, in the order of their importance, first the corners, then a strip all along 

 one side, and finally strips along two, three, or even all of the sides. If the entire 

 open space is concentrated in but one area, it appears larger; and one should 

 plan to have the greater part of this space open for tables and chairs or for walk- 

 ing about. The garden should be decidedly ample before any flower beds are 

 introduced into its center. If the area is too large to look well with its entire 

 surface paved, although some dry and smooth footing is desired, the problem 

 may be satisfactorily solved by a pattern of grass and paving. This both fulfills 

 the practical requirements of good walking, and affords the pleasing appearance of 

 fine, even, turf, without in anyway detracting from the sense of openness and 

 spaciousness. It is thus possible, with a rather large area, to obtain a very 

 simple but dignified expression. A garden may be sufficiently large to permit 

 an arrangement of border flower beds, parallel walks, and a center bed, but it may 

 not be sufficiently large for the subdivision of the center bed by intersecting 

 walks. But in order to decide on any of the above schemes, it is first neces- 

 sary to know something of the dimensions practical for walks, terraces, flowerbeds, 

 and the like. 



Flower beds that are planned for annuals may be made very much narrower 

 than those planned for perennial flowers. There are many annual garden flowers 

 that are small and that remain about the same size all summer. From annuals of 



