THE CITY OR SUBURBAN LOT. 91 



lowed. This plan should be upon very simple lines, — 

 the simpler as the grouiuls are smaller. It is here, more 

 than elsewhere, imperative that the center of the lawn 

 in front of the house be kept open. If the grounds are 

 small, the space will seem to be increased by placing the 

 house at one side and comparatively far from the street. 

 And then, if it may be done without sacrificing the 

 appearance of directness, the front walk may also be car- 

 ried to one side, leaving the main laAvn intact and very 

 much augmented in its apparent extent. The plantings 

 are then made in irregular borders along the sides of 

 the lot and at the back, with more or fewer herbs and 

 shrubs and climbers against the porches and the founda- 

 tions of the house itself, according to its architectural 

 character. Mistakes specially to be avoided in such a 

 scheme of treatment are formal flower beds in tlie lawn, 

 detached shrubs, horticultural monstrosities of all sorts, 

 conspicuous edgings along walks, noticeably imperfect 

 specimens of any kind, etc. 



So far we have considered the treatment of the city 

 residence lot in accordance with the natural style of 

 gardening. Circumstances are often such as to make a 

 geometrical treatment even more desirable. In fact, 

 the tendency in this country is so strong toward the 

 natural method of planting that many excellent oppor- 

 tunities for fine effects in the opposite method are 

 ignored. The prospective planter of small grounds, 

 wlio has not yet formed decided preferences for the nat- 

 ural style, is strongly recommended to bring himself to 

 the clearest possible appreciation of the beauties and 

 capabilities of the geometrical style before he commits 

 himself to any particular jilan. 



In treating the small city lot according to the for- 

 mal style, the ground is first laid out in purely geomet- 

 rical lines. There are straight walks, and rectangular 

 or circular areas for grass or plants ; and if terraces are 



