304 BEAUTIFYING THE HOME GROUNDS 



proper distance from the street or road. The distance the 

 house can be located from the street is determined by the 

 size of the lot, the city regulations and the local environment, 

 all of which need consideration. Where the conditions 

 make it possible never place the house closer than 30 feet 

 from the front boundary. The location of the residence on 

 the lot is not so rigidly assigned to a given place by city 

 ordinances, and the individual can usually place it in the 

 center or to one side without any restriction. To produce the 

 most pleasing effects the owner should set the house close to 

 one boundary line and a proportional distance back from the 

 street. 



If the grounds are large the location of the buildings 

 usually becomes more complicated. because outbuildings are 

 necessary. The buildings must be arranged so that the 

 grouping will form a unit and placed so they will not cut up the 

 grounds into separate pieces. If the house and other buildings 

 are located near one side of the property a large open lawn 

 will result on the opposite side and in the rear. This arrange- 

 ment of the building will give open vistas and pleasing views 

 from the main rooms. It will also give the impression of 

 increasing the extent of the lawn. On city or suburban lots 

 the house should also be located nearer to one side of the 

 lot and not set directly in the center. Such an arrangement 

 does not permit the ground to be cut in half. It also gives a 

 larger lawn, and the planting of the shrubs is much more 

 effective if they are massed along the border, which leaves an 

 open lawn between the house and one boundary. The house 

 should be located so the larger portion of the grounds can be 

 enjoyed from the principal rooms. 



Drainage. — The drainage of the soil is very important in 

 the consideration of any property, and it either increases or 

 decreases its value. The injurious effects of drainage are 

 not only seen on the growing of plants, but poor drainage 

 is unhealthy and is entirely unsuited to the development of 

 both the lawn and the trees. It is therefore necessary to 

 drain the land, whenever the location demands it, not only 

 from the esthetic point of view but from the health con- 

 siderations. There are many ways in which a piece of land 



