42 LANDSCAPE-GARDENING 



great ravines and valleys, produced hills and plains, 

 left high mountain peaks, made dry land and marshes, 

 filled up lakes with plant growth and formed the 

 earth's surface as it is seen today. 



No sculptor can rival nature in producing beauti- 

 ful shapes, shapes that are marvelous in their grace- 

 ful lines and surfaces, that show by their wrinkles 

 the effect of struggle and resistance, that indicate 

 the passing 'of long periods of time. Man in his 

 efforts to grade land to fit the various needs can do 

 no better than imitate nature. If he wishes to 

 produce beautiful lawns, he may give the land the 

 graceful contour of the prairies and place that por- 

 tion of it which is richest in available plant-food near 

 the surface where it will obtain moisture, air, and 

 warmth and where it will be benefited by the action 

 of frost. 



Since land varies so greatly in its origin, it must 

 vary also in its composition ; but all land contains 

 elements suited to some plants. Some lands are 

 rich in lime, and on this account are unsuited to the 

 growth of rhododendrons, mountain laurels, blue- 

 berries and all the beautiful plants belonging, like 

 these, to the heath family. These lands are, how- 

 ever, well adapted to the growth of certain grasses 



