DESIGN 41 



surroundings. One would wonder, despite him- 

 self, just how much per foot the land was worth 

 which had been devoted to the growing of lawn 

 grass, and this would interfere with a sense of en- 

 joyment. The informality of appearance of a 

 lawn of any extent among piles of stone and brick, 

 city traffic, smoke and noises, would create some- 

 what the same impression as white flannels at a 

 formal evening party. 



On account of the different conditions which 

 prevail, a specialized plant may be used to advan- 

 tage in the city, while its type is more suitable for 

 the country, because its hint of artificiality will 

 more readily harmonize with the surroundings. 

 Nevertheless, only such trees and shrubs as will 

 withstand smoke conditions can be used in civic 

 planting schemes. 



The surroundings of all dwellings should par- 

 take at least in some measure of the artificiality 

 of the architectural features, for this tends toward 

 unity. The line of division between the turf and 

 the buildings is always harsh, and something 

 should be done to soften the transition and make 

 it more gradual. This can be accomplished by the 

 use of vines, which will climb over the sides of the 

 house, or by grouping shrubs about the founda- 



