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to the front yard of city properties. An entrance walk may have to traverse it; 

 but an entrance under old apple trees, or one opening upon a small grass court 

 through a gateway in the hedge, or an approach through a hedged or flower- 

 bordered garden walk, may be made very charming. In any case, the entrance 

 walk may be given a fitting introduction to a cottage home. 



There are no conditions which demand a definite use for the area adjacent to 

 the road. In any part of a cottage yard one should find a picture of simple 

 country life, though not without evidences of comfort and plenty. Apparently 

 there are no conventions governing the assignment of area on any side of a cottage, 

 although one may prefer the sunny sides for some purposes and shady sides for 

 others. The conditions already existing in any particular area may suggest its 

 uses. For a certainty, interesting bits of rustic scenery, as, for instance, small 

 brooks or springs, fine old trees, and the like should be given prominence. A 

 very fine tree may well be the dominant feature of a lot and determine the entire 

 scheme. A new house cleverly placed with relation to an old tree, will be greatly 

 enhanced thereby, as it will receive an appearance of age and a homelike at- 

 mosphere. Old trees of any kind are decidedly an asset, and unless there is an 

 abundance of them, a plan should carefully relate the house or arrange the yard 

 so as to take advantage of their presence. Of course, also, one must know when 

 it is best to remove trees for the good of those remaining or to obtain the best re- 

 sults for the whole scheme. Some trees will look best near or overhanging a 

 house, and others in an orchard or in a small meadow; and nut trees or old fruit 

 trees are not only of value for what they bear, but are especially desirable by 

 reason of their character so suitable to a cottage. An old apple tree or cherry 

 tree should be prized for its blossoms and the type of its beauty, whether or not 

 its fruit is good. So the existing growth on a property may be an important 

 factor in the location of and plan of a cottage or in determining the best location 

 for gardens, lawns, or other features. 



A spring or a stream may be left as it is or its natural beauty enhanced by the 

 addition of plants thriving in or near water. As a feature, running water is an 

 asset and should not be destroyed, but rather incorporated in the scheme, and, 

 if in any way changed it should be enhanced. In fact, the natural contour of the 

 entire lot, if it has been carefully selected, may to a large extent be used as it was 

 found. Thus in this respect as well, a plan for a house and yard should be con- 

 ceived with a view to making the most of the original contours. In a meadow, 

 the natural roll of the land may be more suitable than it is possible to make in a 

 new grade, but to say the least, great expense is saved if any portion of the land 

 can be used as it is found. Of course, if a cottage is placed on sloping ground, it 

 is better to plan the gardens and the lawn above and meadows or orchards be- 

 low, as the grade of the former should be more nearly that of the cottage. It is 

 not wise to cut or fill about growth which is to be saved. Upon the amount of 

 cutting or filling, and the hardiness of the trees, will depend the degree of damage 

 done them and the results. But to fill about old trees sufficiently to cover the 

 base of their trunks as they spread into their roots and into the ground is to 

 destroy their natural aspect and much of their beauty. Small lawns must be 

 comparatively flat to be serviceable, and gardens likewise usually are made on 

 one level or on several levels; and if the contour of the ground is not suitable in 

 the areas where gardens and lawns seemingly must go, then grading must be re- 



