8 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



will in a measure settle the question of the necessity for 

 centralization and the depopulation of our rural districts. 



Nearness to railroad, to school and church must be care- 

 fully considered; but as the cost of building lots remote 

 from these conveniences is much less, those limited in 

 means will continue to locate in the less favored sections. 



The main street of the town or village has many advan- 

 tages, but the cross or side streets have the advantages of 

 greater quiet and allow of more freedom of action, besides 

 being less expensive. 



Elevation and Slope. 



The height of the land above the sea-level and above the 

 surrounding country should be considered. The higher 

 the land the better and purer the air, the larger and more 

 pleasing the landscape effect, and more perfect drainage 

 may be obtained. There are, however, serious objections 

 to extreme elevation and abrupt slopes which increase the 

 effort needed to get to and from the place, and increase the 

 cost of fitting the land and keeping lawn, walks, and drives 

 in good condition. A southern or southeastern slope will 

 afford much shelter where the prevailing winds during 

 cold weather are from the north or northwest, and, if the 

 landscape effect is equally good, should be selected in pref- 

 erence to a western or northwestern slope. 



Good Water. 



Nothing can make home life more miserable than an in- 

 sufficient supply of water or water that is of poor quality, 

 and the most careful investigation of this question should 

 be made before deciding upon a location. If there are any 



