46 LANDSCAPE GABDENING 



smaller areas by means of lines. In this connec- 

 tion, walls, hedges, walks, or bedding (Fig. 8) are 

 considered as line-divisions. The line is there- 

 fore the dominant factor in the disposition of the 

 areas in the formal type, and attention is paid 

 rather to the arrangement of the material em- 

 ployed than to the character of the material itself. 

 Accordingly the areas in formal design are close, 

 compact, and severe, and the planting is re- 

 strained (Fig. 9). The idea is to create certain 

 shapes which shall serve the purposes of practica- 

 bility and beauty, but the internal composition of 

 these masses is a matter of decidedly secondary 

 importance. It is a design of form rather than of 

 color, and the individual interests of plants are 

 not considered of much moment. 



A greater freedom characterizes informal de- 

 sign both in its arrangement and in the class of the 

 material used. Line, the outlines of areas, is here 

 considered as subordinate to the mass or area it- 

 self, and is studied only after the areas have been 

 placed in proper relationships. The large areas, 

 whether considered as planting masses or as open 

 lawn, may be moved about freely so as to appear 

 to the best advantage within the limits of the prop- 

 erty before the character of their own boundaries 



