THE SELECTION OF A SITE 25 



Altitude, as has been mentioned, is generally more a 

 matter for individual preference and opinion than for the 

 expression of any decided rules on the subject. Unless, 

 however, any real objection is felt against land situated 

 at a fair elevation, I should unhesitatingly prefer it, in 

 the majority of instances, to that found in flat, low-lying 

 positions. There is all the difference between the garden 

 perched high on the bleak hillside, where cutting winds 

 play havoc with its contents, and that situated midway 

 down an easy slope, above the line of mist and fog. Pro- 

 viding that the aspect is sunny, and the soil well drained, 

 such a situation is far warmer and healthier than the 

 apparently more sheltered site lower down. The 

 designer, too, will find his work easier in the former 

 case than in the latter. Privacy is seldom attainable in 

 low-lying gardens ; they are generally overlooked, either 

 by neighbours or by pedestrians on the public highway. 

 It is next to impossible to screen off unsightly objects 

 from view, and it is inevitable that the prospect obtained 

 of the surrounding country is cramped and confined, if 

 not altogether excluded. On the other hand, an elevated 

 site safeguards all these objections : it is seldom over- 

 looked, or if it is, artificial planting and arrangement may 

 be depended upon to quickly remedy matters ; whilst if 

 fine views exist in the vicinity, the designer is afforded 

 an opportunity of increasing the scope and charm of his 

 own handiwork by including them. Altitude is un- 

 doubtedly an important consideration which must be 

 duly weighed before a satisfactory decision can be given. 

 Shelter, or rather lack of it, is one of the troubles 

 which is almost inseparable from newly laid-out gardens , 

 and as even the most quick-growing trees and shrubs 

 take some time before they can prove efficient barriers, 

 natural or existing wind breaks should in all cases be 

 sought. Natural features will consist of ranges of hills 

 on the sides of the property most exposed to cold winds 



