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in this matter. If one lives in the country all the year around, he is likely to 

 become less sensible to the beauty of the country. For most city folk having 

 summer or year-round homes in the country, some opportunity for glimpses of 

 rural landscapes, is probably desirable, however. And, if the necessary openings 

 do not make the whole scheme too open, such views contribute greatly to the 

 interest of the home. It may be better to have the views apparently merely 

 accidental rather than on axial relations with windows and doors, and in the 

 garden hedges, of course, one should never make breaches to provide for views 

 from the house. If in any quarter the views are more important than the gar- 

 dens, then the gardens should have been placed elsewhere in the beginning. 

 Or perhaps, in some such cases, walks may lead through gateways in the hedges 

 to points without, and through these the scenery may be enjoyed. 



Much might be said of details which are particularly suitable to homes of this 

 character. Architectural details, such as walls, fences, gates, trellises and paving 

 patterns of the walks, all contribute greatly to the atmosphere of a place, if they 

 are well-conceived and cleverly made. Likewise, a nice selection of the kinds 

 of plants for all situations is equally important. For example, old apple or other 

 fruit trees of interesting character, and walnut or hickory trees, all of which may 

 be useful as well as beautiful, are more suitable for shade trees near the house than 

 are fancy varieties of shade trees or even native trees useful only for their shade. 

 A majority of the plants of foreign aspect, such as the effect produced by an al- 

 most exclusive use of fancy evergreens, will suggest city gardens rather than a 

 country home and will also look too studied. The decorative value of appro- 

 priate plants and also that of interesting architectural details is needed and is 

 very important in establishing the desired character of country homes. But 

 neither the planting nor the architectural details should be elaborate or appear 

 costly, though they should be apparently useful. If they can be clever and yet 

 look "homemade" they will very likely be good. 



When a walk is to be made, one should consider the way in which it is to be used, 

 and with this point of view decide whether it should have grass, gravel, brick, or 

 stone paving. If it is to be an important walk and to be used in all weather, 

 material should be selected which will afford dry walking, ease in shovelling snow, 

 and, in short, be practical for its intended use. If it is merely a garden walk, 

 less effort will be necessary in its construction. If paving is to be used, local 

 material will be in better taste than some kind which is unusual and apparently 

 imported from a distance. If, on the property, there happens to be any old 

 building material, such as used brick, stone, or the like, this may be advantageous- 

 ly used, especially if laid in some interesting pattern; and it will also make a 

 serviceable walk, which will bear witness to both the economy and the art im- 

 pulse of the maker. Old material is always interesting, as age and use have 

 worn away the harshness of its line and color. The evidence of the handiwork of 

 the owner makes an appeal, as the personal and individual aspect of a garden is 

 thereby increased. But to expect an owner to be his own carpenter, black- 

 smith, mason, and gardener, is demanding a great deal. In the days of crafts- 

 men, work of this kind was easily obtained in all the country villages. Now, 

 skilled laborers have lost most of their individuality, and men are machines 

 rather than craftsmen. However, if one has seen interesting details of simple 

 design, is able to draw them, or can obtain the designs from books or from other 



