HOME GROUNDS 161 



a point far below. When a terrace would obstruct 

 a view of the valley as seen from the dwelling, it 

 would also cut off a portion of the house when seen 

 from the valley. A broad terrace often gives to a 

 house the appearance of standing on depressed 

 land when the viewpoint is below the level of the 

 terrace. 



HEDGES 



Trimmed hedges are not as pleasing in appear- 

 ance as those having natural outlines, but sometimes 

 they are necessary, as an untrimmed hedge would 

 become too high. If the plants used for a hedge 

 have interesting blossoms or fruit, these are usu- 

 ally cut off or prevented from developing when the 

 hedge is trimmed. In some instances, it is allow- 

 able for a trimmed hedge to take the place of a 

 balustrade. 



HOUSE SURROUNDINGS 



The fear that some persons have of bringing 

 natural beauty, that is, the beauty of untrimmed 

 trees and bushes, of natural slopes, ravines, streams, 

 and lakes, near a house, would seem to be ground- 

 less, since there can be no more objection to having 

 a window-frame inclose a beautiful picture which 



