176 THE PLAN OF THE PLACE 



turist, but he sees that their best effects are to be 

 had when they are planted sparingly, as flowers 

 are, as borders or promontories of the structural 

 masses. 



These various discussions and pictures will fix 

 in the reader's mind the importance of a simple 

 structural design for the home grounds. The 

 essential elements of this design are the open 

 center and the well -planted sides. It is par- 

 ticularly important that the view to and from 

 the front of the dwelling house be kept open, 

 for otherwise there can be little conception of 

 pictorial effect in the composition. It is a grave 

 mistake to cover up or to obscure the one central 

 and important feature of the place. 



It all amounts to this, that the best planting, 

 like the best painting and the best music, is 

 possible only with the best and tenderest feeling 

 and the closest living with nature. One's place 

 grows to be a reflection of himself, changing as 

 he changes, and expressing his life and sympa- 

 thies to the last. 



158. Birds build their nests here, 



