1 6 THE BOOK OF GARDEN DESIGN 



less trouble than originality, in that the latter involves 

 individual thought, and a necessary determination to see 

 clearly to the root of things. But apart from the lack of 

 variety displayed in the general planning of several gardens 

 in the same or different localities, there is often a want of 

 diversity in the various parts of a single garden. This 

 is the opposite fault to that of undue complexity, and it 

 is the more pleasant, because of its rarity, when we find 

 that a happy mean has been chosen. Variety in garden 

 design can be attempted in a number of ways, either in 

 the alteration of ground levels, the formation of walks, 

 or the grouping of trees and shrubs. The first named 

 must always be a matter demanding extreme care and 

 judgment, for the good reason that the natural levels 

 are nearly always best. In the remodelling of existing 

 gardens, it is often necessary to go to considerable labour 

 and expense to bring the ground back to its original 

 form. The craze for terracing which has led to the 

 upheaval of banks and mounds in all sorts of impossible 

 positions, has led to an appearance of extreme artificiality 

 in many modern gardens. However, it is often possible 

 to so alter levels that variety takes the place of monotony, 

 and an added charm is given to certain situations. 



Perhaps the safest way to proceed in this direction is 

 to take advantage of some existing depression or elevation, 

 which, probably too slight to relieve the prevailing flat- 

 ness, may be deepened or heightened as the case may 

 be. The natural grade should be taken as a guide, and 

 emphasis given to points which admit of such treatment. 

 The aspect of the surrounding country will exercise con- 

 siderable influence in this direction. A garden containing 

 many mounds, hillocks, and hollows will look absurd set 

 in a nearly flat landscape, and in a hilly district, cultivated 

 land wrought into an unbroken level will appear even 

 more out of place. The fact that building operations 

 has led to the excavation of a large bulk of earth, should 



