STEPS AND STAIRWAYS 129 



purpose and not worth a moment's thought as to its 

 shape, size, colour, or position. None of these 

 points should be neglected ; the shape of step and 

 balustrade should be graceful and quiet in outline ; 

 the size, both in width and general proportions, 

 should be suited to the parts of the garden which 

 the stair unites ; the materials should be chosen 

 with due regard to colour and texture ; and above 

 all, the position of the steps should be selected with 

 the greatest care. 



There are two general points which it is helpful 

 to bear in mind when arranging garden steps. The 

 first is that where the steps are few in number they 

 should be given as great a width as possible, while 

 conversely, where there are a great number of steps 

 they will look well if proportionately narrow. 

 There is a natural compensation between those two 

 dimensions of a stairway which require the width 

 and length to vary inversely ; and although there 

 may be a number of exceptions, the above will be 

 found a good working rule in the majority of cases. 

 The second point is that the appearance of a stairway 

 is greatly improved if it is buttressed by some 

 prominent feature at its side. Take your steps 

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