28 THE BOOK OF GARDEN DESIGN 



at the upper or northern extremity, with the best views, 

 the gardens and landscape beyond, stretching south- 

 wards. The chief windows will face south, and on the 

 extent of the vista, its variety and absence of signs of 

 foreshortening and curtailment, the skill of the designer 

 will be appraised. That the garden boundaries should 

 end in a point does away with all illusion of space ; we 

 mark the sudden transition from the cultivated to the 

 wild, and our grounds appear as a modest wedge which 

 is in momentary danger of being demolished by the en- 

 croachments of the neighbouring property. Irregularity 

 of outline is another feature to which objection may be 

 raised on account of the extra expense incurred in fenc- 

 ing. The number of angles, too, renders the making of 

 boundary paths a troublesome matter, and for various 

 reasons a free, flowing outline is far preferable. 



If a site can be secured on which a number of fine 

 trees already stand, it should, other things considered, 

 receive preference over one which is bare and barren. 

 A well grown tree, grateful on account of its shade, 

 and beautiful for its stately outline, is one of the most 

 valued objects in the garden. Should there be too 

 many trees, it is easy to cut down any that are not 

 required ; it is another matter to plant fresh ones. 

 However, nothing will be gained by endeavouring to 

 retain existing features of an unsuitable nature, or by 

 altering a well balanced plan so as to include some 

 object foreign to the scheme. In such cases it were 

 better to start operations in a field destitute of tree, 

 shrub or living plant, thereby enabling the projected 

 design to be carried out unhampered by restrictions. 

 The lack of well grown timber is indeed the greatest 

 drawback in new gardens, which must perforce continue 

 for many years before they put on the aspect of maturity, 

 or even middle age, so that unless there is ample reason 

 for the contrary, the retention of any suitable specimen 



