LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE. 59 



ments. A simple division into rectangular lots of proper 

 size for a homestead does not meet this demand effect- 

 ually : First, because they are not large enough for 

 subdivision, and, secondly, because they have no refer- 

 ence to the shape of the ground, which is often such that 

 no portion can be set off which is in itself attractive, 

 without serious injury to the beauty or convenience of 

 that which is left. 



The men who are desirous of making such investments 

 are usually of the most industrious and thrifty class, and 

 consequently such as it is most desirable to secure as 

 permanent occupants, as a means of giving such charac- 

 ter of stability and respectability to the place as will 

 prove the most powerful attraction to others. 



Here it is that the advantage becomes apparent of 

 making the arrangement of the roads and lots conform 

 to the shape of the ground in such manner that every 

 desirable building site becomes available, without injury 

 or inconvenience to others, which in case of inequality of 

 surface or the presence of attractive natural features it 

 is impossible to do by a system of rectangles. It is 

 obvious that for the accomplishment of the object in the 

 most desirable manner, the tract to be subdivided should 

 comprise an area of considerable extent, and in most 

 cases this can only be secured by the mutual consent of 

 several proprietors. My own experience in repeated 

 instances has given me confidence that proprietors of 

 adjoining estates will generally acquiesce in a plan of 

 improvement which commends itself when fairly laid 

 before them, as being mutually advantageous ; but on the 



