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much to be desired. Many small walks do not make a small garden appear larger, 

 but rather tend to make the design seem petty. 



Lots with a frontage of from 100 to 150 feet should have, on the garden side, 

 from 40 to 80 feet between the house and the side boundary; and, while it is highly 

 desirable to allow an ample width for a boundary screen of trees, inasmuch space 

 as this there is opportunity for more than a mere courtyard garden. However, if a 

 larger garden is not desired, more area may well be devoted to heavier screen 

 planting along the boundary, or the garden need not be made the full width of the 

 house and the additional area may be thrown into the front or, preferably, the rear. 

 It must be admitted that small gardens have a charm peculiarly their own, and if 

 one does not want the care of an extensive garden, the very small, roomlike 

 enclosure satisfies all practical needs with respect to this feature. In most cases, 

 greater space should not receive more elaborate planning; rather, this is the 

 opportunity for the use of ample dimensions in simple schemes. A large space 

 divided by many narrow walks and small flower beds, produces the effect of several 

 small gardens rather than of one large one. 



However large a side yard may be, this space is usually the best location for a 

 garden, as it is smaller than the back yard, is not apt to have an interesting dis- 

 tant view and therefore needs barriers along the side and the front, whatever may 

 be the plan for the yard; and, finally, regardless of its extent, this area is still most 

 closely related to the living rooms of the house. While the simplest scheme may 

 appear to be that of planning the side and back yards as one area, it is not difficult 

 to plan to separate, either wholly or partially, the side yard from the rear, and 

 to plan this in such a manner as to require no more upkeep than if this garden area 

 were merely a part of the lawn. If a lawn is of necessity small, it is more likely to be 

 used as a garden; but, as a feature in itself, a lawn is more successful if quite 

 ample. It should be realized, however, that both the lawn and the garden each 

 have their specific uses, and that either feature alone, even at its best, cannot 

 entirely replace the other. If flower gardens are wanted, they should be carefully 

 planned in order not to require more care than can be given or procured for them, 

 as an unkempt garden adjoining a house is most unsightly. 



While some general suggestions for the planning of flower gardens for larger 

 areas have been offered here, the great latitude of this subject makes discussion 

 difficult beyond what has already been said. For a situation so close to the house 

 as is the private garden, it would perhaps be wise to start with a bit of expert advice. 

 However, there is a great deal of good to be gained from honest, independent 

 efforts and even from mistakes, and, while one may waste some money and time in 

 making changes, there is no reason why he should not try to plan his own garden, 

 provided he has first conceived it as a part of the plan for his whole property. 

 One should begin by planning the place as a whole; then he should plan his garden 

 as a whole, with perhaps a few of its details in mind. But under no circum- 

 stances should he begin by planning floral combinations. Other gardens should 

 not be copied, either in whole or in part, as one's own garden will be interesting 

 only as it is some logical evolution of his particular conditions. To see other 

 interesting gardens is helpful and does stimulate one's ideas, but ideas are original, 

 at least in their detailed application. One should endeavor to plan a garden 

 that is suited to his house, and he should always remember that there is safety in 

 simple plans. If amateur gardening will develop better taste, the "trained eye" 

 can well afford to pardon some mistakes. Moreover, even the "trained eye" 



