26 THE BOOK OF GARDEN DESIGN 



the north, north-west and north-east. Where these 

 exist, nothing could possibly be better, but of course 

 probably not one site in fifty will be enhanced by such 

 advantages. Plantations, protective belts, and stretches 

 of woodland are valuable features, which, if existing at 

 a convenient distance from the proposed site, and facing 

 the required quarter, will secure it from the ill effects of 

 high winds. Should the property already contain a well- 

 grown hedge, it may be advisable to retain it as a feature 

 of the new design, thus providing shelter, and doing 

 away with the entire appearance of newness which will 

 otherwise be manifest. Should mature plantations already 

 exist on the property, great caution must be exercised by 

 the designer as to his treatment of them. It often happens 

 that a belt of trees hides a good view, or does not lend 

 itself to the proposed plan. In the first case the owner 

 may be tempted to open out vistas by the removal of 

 timber ; and in the second, the entire demolition of the 

 plantation may be contemplated. Before doing either, 

 he should be quite certain that, in addition to obtaining 

 his view or carrying out his scheme in its entirety, he 

 will not also be destroying a form of shelter which would 

 take years to replace. Naturally, the surroundings will 

 exercise considerable influence on the choice of a site, and 

 here again the tastes of the individual have to be con- 

 sidered, rather than the opinions of the idealist. The 

 presence of water, either a lake or stream, in the adjacent 

 landscape is an unfailing attraction to some ; others would 

 rather face a prospect of meadow and woodland ; whilst 

 there are many who ask no better than that their garden 

 shall be within sight and sound of the restless sea. In 

 each respect the individual must please himself, having 

 in mind, however, that a style of design applicable in one 

 instance will probably be totally unfitted in another. 

 There is one thing which the garden lover will surely 

 guard against with every possible care, and that is the 



